Cover Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi will be coming to Hong Kong in March for the masterclass series at the Asian Film Awards 2026 (Photo: courtesy of AFA)
Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi will be coming to Hong Kong in March for the masterclass series at the Asian Film Awards 2026 (Photo: courtesy of AFA)
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Zhang Ziyi, ‘Squid Game’ creator Hwang Dong-hyuk and Jia Zhangke have confirmed their attendance in Hong Kong, where they will speak at this year’s Asian Film Awards masterclasses
The Asian Film Awards (AFA) is set to illuminate Hong Kong this March with a dazzling line-up of film luminaries. The AFA Academy announced today a trio of distinguished filmmakers and actors who will headline this year’s masterclass series: Netflix survival television series Squid Game (2021)’s creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke and Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi. Each represents a unique facet of Asia’s creative influence on world cinema and will speak about the evolution of and their experience in filmmaking today.
The event will take place at the Xiqu Centre on March 15, 2026. It marks the return of one of the most esteemed gatherings in Asian cinema, blending insightful dialogue, cultural exchange, and celebration of excellence.
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Above Chinese director Jia Zhangke will be coming to Hong Kong in March for the masterclass series at the Asian Film Awards 2026, where Zhang Ziyi will also be featured (Photo: courtesy of AFA)
Above South Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk will be coming to Hong Kong in March for the masterclass series at the Asian Film Awards 2026, where Zhang Ziyi will also be featured (Photo: courtesy of AFA)
Chinese director Jia Zhangke will be coming to Hong Kong in March for the masterclass series at the Asian Film Awards 2026, where Zhang Ziyi will also be featured (Photo: courtesy of AFA)
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Leading the lineup is Zhang, a name synonymous with the golden era of Chinese cinema and the growing visibility of Asian film on the world stage. Known internationally for her powerful performances in the 2000 action film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the 2005 American epic period drama film Memoirs of a Geisha, Zhang has long defined the artistry and spirit of Asian women on screen.
Her masterclass, which will also serve as part of the awards ceremony, delves into her journey as an actor navigating an industry historically shaped by male voices. For decades, Zhang has brought intelligence, discipline, and emotional depth to her craft. From the complex duality of her roles in Jasmine Women (2004), where she vividly portrays three generations of women, to her effortlessly commanding screen presence, Zhang demonstrates the ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
In the masterclass, she will share personal reflections on building characters that break stereotypes and expand the global imagination of what it means to be a Chinese woman in cinema. The session will be conducted in Mandarin, with simultaneous English translation provided.
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Another speaker is South Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind the Netflix phenomenon Squid Game. He will explore the creative and social processes that shaped his global hit. Hwang, who took home multiple international awards for his daring narrative and cultural commentary, is expected to discuss the interplay between storytelling, identity and audience psychology in today’s hyperconnected media landscape.
Equally influential is Jia Zhangke, one of China’s most respected film directors and a frequent contender at Europe’s major film festivals in Cannes, Venice and Berlin. Jia’s poetic realism and unflinching portrayal of China’s transformation have made him a defining voice of modern Asian cinema. His session will focus on authorship in filmmaking: how a director distils personal vision into cinematic art, even amid shifting political and cultural tides.
The AFA is one of the city’s most anticipated annual film events, attracting many of Asia’s most celebrated filmmakers and actors. However, this year, the organising committee has decided to cancel the red carpet in light of the Tai Po fire. Details of the ceremony and the remaining guest list have yet to be announced.
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
