“YEN AND AI-LEE” TAKES TOP PRIZE IN ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA INAUGURAL JURY COMPETITION
Taiwan’s “The Uniform,” Japan’s “Sunset Sunrise” Take Audience Choice Awards
Chicago, Illinois (April 14, 2025) – The 19th edition of Asian Pop-Up Cinema today announced the winners of the Festival’s inaugural jury competition, which saw 16 films in competitions including the Grand Jury Feature Film Award, the Best Short Film Award, and the Francis Kwong Memorial Award, recognizing an emerging director for their first or second feature film. The Festival also announced its annual Audience Choice Award winners.
YEN AND AI-LEE, the compelling drama exploring the love-hate relationship between a daughter and her mother from writer/director Tom Lin Shu-Yu, took the Festival’s Grand Jury Feature Film Award.
The Francis Kwong Memorial Award, recognizing an emerging director for their first or second feature film, went to Gao Peng’s A LONG SHOT, a pressure cooker crime drama following a former sharpshooter who, after losing his hearing, becomes a mentor to his neighbor’s son amidst the desperation of those who were left behind by China’s rapid economic reforms.
Audiences split on their favorite film, awarding a tie between Taiwanese film THE UNIFORM, Chuang Ching-Shen’s celebration of young female friendship, and Japanese film SUNSET SUNRISE, Yoshiyuku Kishi’s comedy-drama about a Tokyoite enjoying the delights of rural living during the COVID pandemic.
“Film festivals are about discovery,” said Asian Pop-Up Cinema Founder and Executive Director Sophia Wong Boccio. “Adding a competitive section has always been a dream, because it is another opportunity to highlight discoveries a jury is making alongside audiences.”
The full list of juried award winners at the 19th Asian Pop-Up Cinema includes:
Grand Jury Feature Film Award
YEN AND AI-LEE (Taiwan)
Dir. Tom Lin Shu-Yu
The Grand Jury Feature Film Award goes to YEN AND AI-LEE, a film that articulates the inner past and possible future of a young woman who tries to reclaim her life and identity. We were impressed by the director’s evocative use of the black and white widescreen format as well as the revelatory central performance of Kimi Hsia.
Francis Kwong Memorial Award
A LONG SHOT (China)
Dir. Gao Peng
The Francis Kwong Memorial Award, which recognizes a filmmaker’s first or second feature film, goes to A LONG SHOT. The Francisration of a society in decline. We were impressed by the director’s handling of an ensemble cast and his creation of a tense and atmospheric drama centering on a decaying industrial area.
Best Short Film Award
WANNA DIE WANNA KILL (South Korea)
Dir. Jaehee Jeong
The Best Short Film Award goes to WANNA DIE WANNA KILL. With an unconventional approach to a conventional narrative, this black comedy - and shocker catches you by the throat. WANNA DIE WANNA KILL announces the arrival of strikingly original new talent.
The 19th Asian Pop-Up Cinema Festival ran March 20 - April 13, 2025. For the full schedule of screenings, guests, and other programming please visit www.asianpopupcinema.org/19th-edition.
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ABOUT ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, an annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.
The 19th ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA FESTIVAL is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; an Illinois Arts Council grant and the Arts Work Fund "Think/Explore" grant; with additional sponsorships by Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York; Taipei Cultural Center in New York; Choose Chicago; ADG Group; CineCity Studios Chicago; The Whitehall Hotel; Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago; Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago; Illinois Tech Office of Community Affairs & Outreach Program; and the Japan Information Center Chicago.