3 weeks ago
EXCLUSIVE: New York Asian Film Festival is celebrating its 25th version pinch nan North American premiere of Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony arsenic its opening nighttime film.
Yeon’s zombie thriller, which is receiving its world premiere present successful Cannes’ Midnight Screenings section, stars Gianna Jun (My Sassy Girl) arsenic a biotechnology professor attending a convention wherever a terrifying microorganism breaks out. Korean workplace Showbox has already sold nan movie to much than 120 territories, including Well Go USA for North America.
In summation to screening Colony astatine NYAFF, Yeon will besides coming a caller 4K restoration of Train To Busan, 1 of his first films to reinvent nan zombie genre, successful ceremony of nan film’s 10th anniversary.
Well Go USA is releasing some films theatrically later this summer, opening pinch nan 4K re-release of Train To Busan connected August 14, earlier Colony arrives successful theaters connected August 28.
NYAFF is taking spot July 10-26, 2026, astatine nan Lincoln Center, SVA Theatre, Look Cinemas and Korean Cultural Center New York.
“Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony introduces a caller beingness grammar for nan zombies, formally revolutionary and viscerally tense, and dissimilar thing other successful nan genre correct now,” said NYAFF President Samuel Jamier.
“Opening NYAFF’s 25th version alongside a 10th-anniversary 4K restoration of Train To Busan, some courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment, this arena marks nan astir contagious infinitesimal for Korean genre cinema successful New York since Train To Busan first arrived a decade ago.”
Doris Pfardrescher, President and CEO of Well Go USA Entertainment, said: “As NYAFF celebrates its 25th anniversary, there’s nary much fitting measurement to grant nan festival’s bequest than by showcasing 1 of nan defining filmmakers successful modern genre cinema.
“We’re thrilled to person nan North American premiere of Colony alongside a typical 4K revival of Train To Busan, a landmark activity that everlastingly changed nan zombie genre. For 25 years, NYAFF has championed bold, visionary Asian cinema, and these 2 films correspond precisely nan benignant of unforgettable theatrical experiences nan show was built to celebrate.”
Presented by nan New York Asian Film Foundation successful collaboration pinch Film astatine Lincoln Center since 2010, NYAFF has evolved into North America’s starring show dedicated to Asian movie culture. Starting retired arsenic a genre-focused festival, championing nan early useful of then-rising filmmakers specified arsenic Johnnie To and Bong Joon Ho, it has grown into nan largest Asian cinema showcase successful North America, pinch much than 20,000 attendees.
In caller years, nan show has besides screened nan activity of internationally acclaimed modern auteurs, arsenic good arsenic introducing emerging filmmakers from processing countries and underrepresented regions crossed Asia.
Last year’s version featured 8 world premieres, much than 75 North American premieres, and 17 filmmakers making their directorial debuts. Guests astatine nan 24th version included Tadanobu Asano, Heo Sung-tae, Ekin Cheng, Lisa Lu, and rising prima Natalie Hsu, pinch much than 30 filmmakers participating successful post-screening discussions passim nan festival.
The festival’s Uncaged Competition – which highlights visionary filmmakers challenging cinematic conventions – past twelvemonth handed its apical grant for Best Feature Film to Family Matters, from Taiwanese filmmaker Pan Ke-Yin.
The Way We Talk, from Hong Kong’s Adam Wong, won nan Audience Award, while Skin Of Youth, from Vietnam’s Ash Mayfair, received nan Special Jury Award.
NYAFF will denote nan afloat line-up for nan 2026 edition, including typical guests, day screenings and restorations, successful coming weeks.
