The Asian Film Awards Academy announced its establishment as the official organizer of the annual Asian Film Awards on February 11, 2014 in Hong Kong. The Academy will partner with the Busan International Film Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, and the Tokyo International Film Festival, three major film festivals in Asia.
 
Mr. Yasushi Shiina, Director General of TIFF, joined and extended his warm congratulations at the press conference held on the day.
 
The AFAA Executive Committee is chaired by Dr. Wilfred Wong Ying-wai who is the chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. Committee members include Mr. Lee Yong-kwan, Director of the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, and Mr. Yasushi Shiina, Director General of the Tokyo International Film Festival and TIFFCOM.
The Academy’s purpose is to organize the flagship annual event, The Asian Film Awards (AFA) and to develop initiatives and programs that will promote and support mutual understanding and collaboration between different countries in the Asian region in order to help develop their audiences and industries.
The 8th Asian Film Award ceremony will be held on March 27, 2014 in Macao.
 
“The principal players in getting the AFA Academy off the ground are representatives of the three long established and major film festivals in Asia,” explained Dr. Wilfred Wong, “their experience, involvement and collaboration will help to ensure a broader reach across Asia, and reflect the film industries, trends and audience tastes in the region.”
 
Mr. Lee Yong-kwan welcomed the new development of the AFA Academy and the AFA, “The new attempt and changes to the organization of the AFA – with the combined effort of Hong Kong, Busan and Tokyo International Film Festivals – will transcend barriers and borders and play an important part in Pan-Asian development and the globalization of Asian cinemas.”
 
Mr. Yasushi Shiina, extended his warm congratulations for the forthcoming 8th Asian Film Awards (AFA). “I hope that the Asian Film Awards Academy will develop further and continue to contribute to cultural development in Asia, and enhance the status of Asian films worldwide,” he said. “Let us continue to build close relationships in the Asian film industry, built on mutual respect and trust, because together we have the power to raise awareness of the AFA Academy around the world..”