The Asian Film Awards Academy has modified the format of its upcoming 19th edition, eliminating competitive categories and the red carpet ceremony in favor of a scaled-back event focused on special honors following last year’s deadly Hong Kong fire.
The academy announced that the 2026 ceremony, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong, will present special awards “in a dignified and minimalist manner” rather than proceeding with its traditional competitive format.
The format adjustment follows what the academy described as “the significant incident in Hong Kong last year and its impact on the community.” The decision aligns with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s postponement of official celebrations and its recommendation for a restrained approach to public events in the wake of the tragedy.
“This is a well-considered decision,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy. “We believe that, in the current environment, adopting a solemn and minimalist format for the awards ceremony is the most appropriate arrangement. At this time, we have chosen to honor filmmakers in a restrained manner as a mark of respect to all sectors of the community.”
The academy emphasized that while the ceremony format has changed, its core mission remains intact. The organization expressed gratitude to filmmakers and partners for their support of the modified edition, stating that it will “continue to work closely with all sectors to contribute to the future development of Asian cinema.”
The Asian Film Awards, which recognize excellence in pan-Asian filmmaking, have been presented annually since 2007.
