“All We Imagine As Light” & Shahana Goswami win at AFA 2025

At the 18th Asian Film Awards(AFA), which took place on Sunday at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light and Santosh, featuring actress Shahana Goswami and helmed by director Sandhya Suri, emerged as the biggest winners of the evening. The prestigious event celebrated excellence in Asian cinema, recognizing outstanding contributions from filmmakers across the continent.

The Asian Film Awards officially announced the list of winners on its website, highlighting the remarkable achievements of films that captivated audiences and critics alike. Among the notable victories, All We Imagine As Light secured the coveted Best Film award. The film triumphed over a competitive lineup that included Black Dog from China, Exhuma from South Korea, Teki Cometh from Japan, and Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In from Hong Kong. This recognition further solidifies the film’s impact in the global cinematic landscape, showcasing the depth and diversity of storytelling in Asian cinema.

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Celebrating Excellence in Asian Cinema

Payal Kapadia, who won the prestigious Grand Prix Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for All We Imagine As Light, joyfully accepted the honor in Hong Kong, calling it a “wonderful place for cinema.” She highlighted the significance of celebrating Asian cinema and actively participating in a thriving creative community. Kapadia said that receiving a nomination already felt special, and winning the award made the moment even more meaningful.

All We Imagine As Light, an India-French co-production, became the first Indian film to win the Grand Prix at Cannes. The Malayalam-Hindi film follows two Kerala nurses, Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha), as they navigate life in Mumbai alongside their friend Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam). It explores themes of love, friendship, and resilience in an urban setting. The film’s authentic storytelling has earned widespread acclaim. The film has received widespread acclaim for its storytelling and representation of contemporary urban struggles.

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Shahana Goswami was awarded Best Actress for her performance in Santosh, while director Sandhya Suri won Best New Director. Goswami described working on the film as a fulfilling experience but admitted she initially struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Winning the award, she said, has given her more confidence in her abilities. Santosh, a collaborative production between India, the UK, France, and Germany, follows a newly widowed woman who inherits her husband’s police job and gets entangled in a murder investigation.

Shahana Goswami won Best Actress for Santosh, surpassing Kani Kusruti, Sylvia Chang, Kawai Yuumi, and Kim Go-eun. Sandhya Suri claimed Best New Director, beating Yamanaka Yoko, Sora Neo, Dong Zijian, and Truong Minh Quý.

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