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The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center announce the 23rd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), running July 12–22 at Film at Lincoln Center, with additional screenings from July 22–28 at the Sva Theatre and July 13–15, 18–21, and 23–25 at Look Cinemas W57, plus a special collaborative presentation of films at the Korean Cultural Center New York.

“For so many, Asian films start and end with Parasite or Everything Everywhere All At Once (who could blame them?), but the real action is happening in the trenches of Asian cinema, where audacious auteurs and daring debutantes are unleashing a tidal wave of talent that's about to crash on American shores,” said Samuel Jamier, festival director and president of the New York Asian Film Foundation. “This year's festival is like sriracha sauce – it's spicy, it's tangy, it's got a kick that'll wake up your senses. And it's hard to find right now!

“Not Friends” is the directorial debut of Atta Hemwadee. This coming-of-age comedy-drama was released in Thailand at the end of 2023, and was chosen as Thailand's submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, although it did not receive a nomination.

Not Friends is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam

The story, written by the director himself, centres around Pae (Anthony Buisseret), a teenage student who was recently transferred to a new school during his sixth semester. There, he meets Joe (Pisitpol Ekaphongpisit), a popular and sociable student, who wants to befriend the main protagonist. After Joe tragically dies in a car accident, Pae decides to exploit the situation by making a short film that would help him get into a university, as he would rather not work at the family business. However, one girl at the school who knew Joe quite well, Bokeh (Thitiya Jirapornsilp), sees...

Leading Thai production and sales company Gdh 559 is introducing comedy drama Not Friends and twin sister story You & Me & Me to buyers at Filmart, produced respectively by award-winning directors Baz Poonpiriya and Banjong Pisanthanakun.

The new films mark the first time both renowned filmmakers have acted as producer for other directors.

Baz is the director of Thai box office hit Bad Genius and Sundance award-winning One For The Road, while Banjong is the filmmaker behind acclaimed horror The Medium and Pee Mak, which became Thailand’s highest grossing-film of all time when it was released in 2013.

Not...