HKAFF is always committed to encourage young Asian directors and foster cultural exchange, the New Talent Award recognises the outstanding work of emerging Asian directors and was presented at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival Closing Ceremony on 10 November. This year's nominees include:

Pierce (Nelicia Low)
Abel (Elzat Eskendir)
Mongrel (Chiang Wei Liang, You Qiao Yin)
MA - Cry of Silence (The Maw Naing)
Shambhala (Min Bahadur Bham)
Happyend (Neo Sora)
Don't Cry, Butterfly (Dương Diệu Linh)
Time to be Strong (Namkoong Sun)

The jury for this year's Asian New Directors Award comprised of renowned Taiwanese actor and screenwriter Ke-xi Wu, Viknesh Kobinathan, a former programme curator for the Asian Film Archive and Singapore International Film Festival, and this year's Screen Magazine nominee as one of the future leaders of film curatorship, as well as producer and curator Teresa Kwong.

After a round of discussion, the jury presented the New Talent Award to Japanese director Neo Sora for Happyend, a tribute to social revolution and the legacy of the cinematic arts that invites audiences to imagine a reality that has yet to come and explore new possibilities.

In view of the large number of outstanding entries, the Jury gave a Special Mention to Vietnamese director Dương Diệu Linh's Don't Cry, Butterfly, for its innovative and magical realistic film, which explores and creates originality and uniqueness of its own nation and new filmmakers within the framework of the traditional women's storytelling. 

Congratulations to the two winners, and thanks to all the finalists of the New Talents Awards for attending HKAFF and interacting with the audience!