His most recent work, The Shadowless Tower (2023) was invited to the Competition section at Berlin International Film Festival and received five awards at the Beijing International Film Festival. Through such works, Zhang has further solidified his reputation as a leading Asian film auteur. Driven by a unique cinematic vision that delves into the stories of marginalized individuals, Zhang’s films have consistently earned critical acclaim. Notably, Zhang has also dedicated himself to fostering future generations of talents, serving as a professor at Yonsei University for eight years since 2012.

Kamila Andini, the acclaimed Indonesian director, is joining as Directing Mentor. Andini’s distinctive perspective and insightful storytelling have captivated audiences worldwide, dealing with issues of social culture, gender equality, and environment. Her feature debut, The Mirror Never Lies (2011), won 15 awards from over 40 film festivals, including Berlin and Busan. Andini’s recent work, Cigarette Girl (2023), Indonesia’s first Netflix original series, showcases her ability to breathe new life into historical narratives.

Rounding out the esteemed faculty as Cinematography Mentor is the award-winning cinematographer Urata Hideho. Rising to prominence with A Land Imagined (2018), which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno alongside Best Director of Photography at Valladolid and Achievement in Cinematography at Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Urata has established himself as a master of his craft. His recent contribution to Plan 75 (2022) further cemented his reputation, receiving a Special Mention in the Best Cinematography at Cannes.

The outstanding achievements of Asian Film Academy (AFA) alums continue to attract international attention. The 2024 Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard selection includes Viet and Nam (2024), directed and produced by 2012 alumni Truong Minh Quý and Bradley Liew. Additionally, Kiran Shrestha, a 2018 alumni who served as assistant director and editor on Shambhala (2024), which was directed by the 2013 alumni, Min Bahadur Bham, secured a coveted spot in the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival Competition.

The success of AFA alums extends further at the Berlin International Film Festival. Songs of Love and Hate, produced by Min Bahadur Bham, was an official selection for the Generation 14plus 2024, while In the Belly of a Tiger, by 2011 alumni Siddartha Jatla, and Oasis of Now by 2007 alum director Chee Sum Chia, both acquired the high honor of being invited to the Forum 2024.

About CHANEL Arts & Culture

The CHANEL Culture Fund fosters a vibrant network of creators and innovators to advance the ideas that shape culture worldwide. Core programmes include CHANEL’s Art Partners, institutions whose leaders are supported in the development of ground-breaking, long-term initiatives that bring innovation to the cultural landscape. The CHANEL Next Prize celebrates artists and accelerates their future successes through access to resources and mentorship. And the podcast CHANEL Connects amplifies the voices of thought-leaders across disciplines, generations, and geographies—tackling the defining issues of our time.