NYAFF 2026 Opening Night Gianna Jun and Director Yeon Sang-ho Open the 25th New York Asian Film Festival
Sanghee Gil
The 25th New York Asian Film Festival Opens with Colony
The 25th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) officially opened on July 10 at the Walter Reade Theater in New York.
This year's Opening Night featured the North American premiere of Colony, directed by Yeon Sang-ho.
Ahead of the screening, the festival's Opening Night red carpet welcomed director Yeon Sang-ho, actress Gianna Jun, NYAFF Executive Director Samuel Jamier, and members of the international film community.
Before the event began, journalists, photographers, and moviegoers gathered outside the Walter Reade Theater.
As Gianna Jun stepped onto the red carpet, photographers lined the press area while audiences greeted her with enthusiastic applause. She paused for photographs before speaking briefly with members of the international press.
Director Yeon Sang-ho followed shortly afterward, introducing Colony to the media ahead of its North American premiere.
Known internationally for works including Train to Busan and Hellbound, Yeon's latest project had already attracted considerable attention before its first screening in New York.
During the red carpet, Brunch Magazine asked both Gianna Jun and Yeon Sang-ho what they hoped audiences in New York would take away from the film.
Yeon Sang-ho said he hoped audiences would simply approach Colony as a new cinematic experience and enjoy it.
Gianna Jun echoed that sentiment, explaining that while the film contains many ideas and themes, she hopes audiences will first experience and enjoy the film as it is.
Both shared the same message: rather than searching for a predetermined meaning, they hope New York audiences will simply enjoy the film for what it is.
Their responses reflected a willingness to leave interpretation to the audience, allowing each viewer to engage with the film on their own terms.
Over the past twenty-five years, the New York Asian Film Festival has introduced audiences in New York to filmmakers, actors, and stories from across Asia.
From emerging voices to internationally recognized directors, the festival has become one of North America's most important platforms for Asian cinema.
Executive Director Samuel Jamier joined Opening Night as the festival celebrated its twenty-fifth edition.
Under his leadership, NYAFF has continued to expand beyond film screenings, creating opportunities for filmmakers, artists, audiences, and the international press to engage in meaningful cultural exchange.
Marking its twenty-fifth anniversary, the festival chose Colony as its Opening Night film, presenting a contemporary portrait of Asian cinema to New York audiences.
While Opening Night featured the excitement of the red carpet, its focus ultimately remained on the film itself and its first encounter with audiences.
That perspective was reflected in the remarks shared by both Gianna Jun and Yeon Sang-ho, who encouraged audiences to experience Colony without expectation and simply enjoy the journey the film offers.
As guests made their way into the theater, the North American premiere of Colony officially marked the beginning of the 25th New York Asian Film Festival.
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