The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is gearing up to celebrate some serious talent from Hong Kong cinema. Legendary actor and singer Ekin Cheng and the rapidly ascending actress Natalie Hsu are both slated to receive prestigious honorary awards at the festival next month.
Honoring a Legacy and a Rising Force
Ekin Cheng, a familiar face to action and fantasy fans for nearly four decades, will accept the Star Asia Award on July 14. This award acknowledges his extensive contributions to film, spanning over 60 titles. His work includes iconic fantasy epics like The Storm Riders and A Man Called Hero, romantic comedies such as My Wife Is 18, and darker thrillers like Rule Number One, which earned him a Best Actor award at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. Cheng’s next project is the Taiwan drama series The Internet Celebrity, from the producers of Netflix’s Light The Night.
NYAFF President Samuel Jamier praised Cheng’s enduring influence, stating, “Ekin Cheng belongs to that rare class of actors who have not only shaped films but eras and culture. This award recognises a body of work that has stayed vital, resonant, and deeply attuned to the times. What is remarkable is not just the longevity, but the quiet reinvention.”
Meanwhile, Natalie Hsu will receive the Screen International Rising Star Award on July 12. This recognition highlights her meteoric rise in just a few years since her 2021 debut in the musical comedy The Day We Lit Up The Sky. Since then, Hsu has built an impressive resume with commercially and critically acclaimed roles.
She’s tackled everything from family dramas like Sasha Chuk’s Fly Me To The Moon and the disaster thriller Cesium Fallout (starring Andy Lau), to Nick Cheung’s psychological horror Peg O’ My Heart and Dante Lam’s action thriller Bursting Point. She will also reunite with director Chong Keat-Aun for the upcoming drama Mother Bhumi, which features Fan Bingbing.
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Jamier commended Hsu’s versatility, saying, “Natalie represents the new generation of Hong Kong talent: fearless in genre choices, and possessing that rare combination of technical skill and emotional authenticity. Her rapid rise from teenage debut to leading lady demonstrates the kind of artistic evolution we celebrate with this award.”
Premieres and Cult Classics
Both honourees will see their latest film, Jill Leung’s romantic fantasy drama Last Song For You, receive its North America premiere at NYAFF. The film also garnered seven nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards, including a Best Actress nod for Hsu. The festival will also feature the North America premiere of Pavane For An Infant, Hsu’s recent performance in the social drama from Malaysia’s Chong Keat-Aun.
For fans of Cheng’s earlier work, the festival will host a special 35mm screening of Andrew Lau’s 1996 cult classic ‘Young And Dangerous.’ This film famously shot Cheng to stardom and spawned a six-part franchise.
The 24th NYAFF will run from July 11-27, presented in collaboration with Film at Lincoln Center, promising a packed schedule of contemporary Asian cinema.
