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On March 17, at Macau’s Venetian Theater the 10th Asian Film Awards will be underway. Winners from nearly 1,600 submissions from 32 countries will be announced. Since its inauguration in 2007, the award has grown in scale and is now largest film awards event in Asia.

This year, The Assassin has the most nominations (best film, director, actress, supporting actress, cinematography, original music, costume design, production design, and sound). This historical drama featuring Shu Qi has been hailed as “the most ravishingly beautiful film Hou [Hsiao-hsien] has ever made, and certainly one of his most deeply transporting” by Variety.

Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali follows with five nominations. This Indian historical romance is one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time. It will compete with The Assassin, Three Stories of Love (Koibito Tachi, Japan), Mr Six (Hu Guan, China) and Veteran (Ryoo Seung-wan, South Korea) in the Best film category.

Asian...

In an online free live stream conference the Asian Film Award Academy announced the list of nominees for the 10th Asian Film Awards. The Assassin (Taiwan) by Hsiao-Hsien Hou lead the list with 9 nominations (Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Sound), Then comes Bajirao Mastani (India) by Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Best Film, Best Editing, Best Original Music, Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects) and Port of Call (Hong Kong) by Philip Yung (Best Supporting Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography) with 5 nominations each. Mountains May Depart (China) by Jia Zhang Ke, Mr. Six (China) by Guan Hu and Veteran (South Korea) by Ryoo Seung-wan have 4 nominations each.

Best Film

The Assassin (Nie yin niang) by Hou Hsiao-Hsien

Hong Kong, China, Taiwan | 2015 Bajirao Mastani by Sanjay Leela Bhansali – India...

Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin leads the nominations for the 10th Asian Film Awards with nine nods, followed by India’s Bajirao Mastani and Hong Kong’s Port Of Call with five apiece.

The Assassin, which won best director in Cannes last year, was nominated for best film, director, actress (Shu Qi), supporting actress (Zhou Yun), cinematography (Mark Lee Ping-bing) and four other technical categories.

Another sumptious period epic, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, was also nominated for best film, along with best editing, original music, costume design and visual effects.

Philip Yung’s social drama Port Of Call, based on the true story of a mainland prostitute who was murdered in Hong Kong, picked up nods for best supporting actor (Michael Ning), newcomer (Jessie Li), screenplay, editing and Christopher Doyle’s cinematography.

Rounding out the best film category are Jia Zhangke’s Mountains May Depart (France-China); Hashiguchi Ryosuke’s Three Stories Of Love (Japan...

If the Academy is on the same time table they were last year with the Foreign Language Film volunteer committee we should know the 9 finalists from the 80-wide foreign submission list before the weekend. But before we get there, let's look back on where we've been. It's the most coverage we've ever done for one of our favorite categories so we hope you've been reading along and trying to see what you could (these films are often elusive, we know).

Much thanks to Jose who has been invaluable in seeking out interviews. Catch up on the coverage like so...

"everything u ever wanted to know about the foreign film category *...but were afraid to ask" Pt 1 81 Trailers | Pt 2 Female Directors & Debuts | Pt 3 Zoology | Pt 4 I know that face! | Pt 5 More Trivia!

goodnight mommyTHE Films

Afghanistan, Utopia Disqualified | Albania, Bota | Algeria, Twilight of Shadows

Argentina, The Clan Reviewed | Australia, Arrows of the Thunder Dragon

Austria,...

Last weekend, 20th Century Fox's blockbuster The Martian returned to take the top spot at the box office, fending off four new releases, which all flopped. This gave the thriller its third win in four weeks. This weekend, the sci-fi drama faced off against three more new movies, The Weinstein Company's Burnt, Warner Bros.' Our Brand Is Crisis and Paramount's Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, just one day before Halloween. Like last weekend's crop of new releases, the weekend estimates at Box Office Mojo reveal these latest titles provided just another round of flops, as The Martian took the top spot with $11.4 million, bringing forth the worst box office weekend of 2015.

The Martian has earned $182.8 million since its release on October 2, debuting at $54.3 million. While that isn't an astronomical opening weekend by any means, it continues to post minimal decreases in each frame, dropping just 31.9% in its second weekend,...

Last weekend, 20th Century Fox's blockbuster The Martian returned to take the top spot at the box office, fending off four new releases, which all underperformed. This gave the thriller its third win in four weeks. On Friday, the sci-fi drama faces off against three more new movies, The Weinstein Company's Burnt, Warner Bros.' Our Brand Is Crisis and Paramount's Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, just one day before Halloween. Like last weekend's crop of new releases, the projections at BoxOffice.com reveal these latest titles will all underperform as well, with The Martian likely taking the top spot once again.

The Martian has earned $166.1 million since its release on October 2, debuting at $54.3 million. While that isn't an astronomical opening weekend by any means, it continues to post minimal decreases in each frame, dropping just 31.9% in its second weekend, 42.4% in its third frame (where it took second place to Goosebumps) and 26.1% last weekend.

In a weekend where four new releases hit theaters, and another critically-acclaimed movie expanded into a nationwide release, a movie in its fourth week in theaters returned to the top of the box office, while two of the new arrivals couldn't even crack the top 10. After relinquishing the top spot to Goosebumps last weekend, The Martian regained the top spot in its fourth frame in theaters, earning $15.9 million, just barely beating Goosebumps' second-place take of $15.5 million. The news isn't terribly surprising, since both The Martian (3,504) and Goosebumps (3,501) still had the highest theaters counts of all movies this weekend, beating newcomer The Last Witch Hunter by nearly 500 theaters, but it's still rare to see four new releases struggle so much.

All of this weekend's holdovers in the top 10 posted minimal decreases between 20% and 40%, except one, Crimson Peak, while the four newcomers struggled to find an audience. The Martian only dropped...

The distributor will release Philippine’s foreign language Oscar submission in New York on October 30 followed by a Los Angeles release on November 6.

Heneral Luna profiles national hero General Antonio Luna and the Philippine-American war of the 1890s.

According to Abramorama Jerrold Tarog’s film is not only the biggest independent Filipino release of all time but was so well-received that the country’s president asked the department of education to consider adding it to the school curriculum.

“Heneral Luna is an extraordinary film with a loyal, definable, motivated audience, exactly what we look for for when taking something on,” said Abramorama president Richard Abramowitz.

“We’re honoured that the producers are entrusting us with this record-breaking release.”...

With four new movies opening nationwide on October 23, and another expanding into a national release, it's shaping up to be quite a unique weekend at the box office. The new arrivals are Universal's Jem and the Holograms, starring Juliette Lewis, Lionsgate's The Last Witch Hunter, starring Vin Diesel, Paramount's Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, the final installment in the long-running Paranormal Activity franchise, and Open Road Films' Rock the Kasbah. Universal's Steve Jobs will also be expanding nationwide on Friday, after posting incredible grosses over the last two weeks in limited release. According to the projections from BoxOffice.com, The Last Witch Hunter is expected to take the top spot with $18 million, which will be more than enough to unseat current box office champion Goosebumps.

The Last Witch Hunter is expected to be the only new release opening in more than 3,000 theaters, with Steve Jobs arriving in an estimated 2,400 theaters,...

Read More: 2016 Oscar Predictions: Best Foreign Language Film Abramorama has announced that it will release Jerrold Tarog's "Heneral Luna," the Philippines' entry for Best Foreign Language Film, in theaters nationwide beginning at the end of the month. "Heneral Luna" has become a cultural phenomenon in its homeland as the highest grossing independent Filipino film of all time. The official synopsis reads: "Set during the Philippine–American war, the epic film recounts the heroic yet tragic story of General Antonio Luna, commander of the Philippine Revolutionary Army and the most brilliant Filipino general, who faced an enemy more treacherous than any foreign colonizer: his own countrymen. The film stars award-winning veteran actor John Arcilla as General Luna." "'Heneral Luna' is an extraordinary film with a loyal, definable, motivated audience, exactly what we look for when taking something on," said Richard...

Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.

Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.

The figure is down on last year, when a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.

Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.

The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016, televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

The 2015 submissions are:

Afghanistan Utopia, Hassan Nazer

Albania Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci

Algeria Twilight of Shadows, Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina

Argentina The Clan, Pablo Trapero

Australia Arrows of the Thunder, Dragon Greg Sneddon

Austria Goodnight Mommy, Veronika Franz, [link...

Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar, among them Felix and Meira, Under Milk Wood, Labyrinth of Lies and Sunstroke (click through for full list).

The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.

The 2015 submissions are:

Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.

Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.

Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.

Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.

Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.

Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;

Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;

Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;

Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;

Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;

Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;

Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...

Films from 81 countries have been subitted for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar, among them Felix and Meira, Under Milk Wood, Labyrinth of Lies and Sunstroke (click through for full list).

The Us Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed that 81 countries have submitted films for consideration for this year’s Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Paraguay is the only first-time entrant.

The 2015 submissions are:

Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director.

Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors.

Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director.

Argentina: “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director.

Australia: “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director.

Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;

Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;

Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;

Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;

Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;

Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;

Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho...

Son Of Saul

The Academy has announced that eighty-one countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Oscars.

The Holocaust drama, Son Of Saul, won the Grand Prix at Cannes in May.

Paraguay is a first-time entrant.

The 2015 submissions are:

Afghanistan, “Utopia,” Hassan Nazer, director;

Albania, “Bota,” Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci, directors;

Algeria, “Twilight of Shadows,” Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina, director;

Argentina, “The Clan,” Pablo Trapero, director;

Australia, “Arrows of the Thunder Dragon,” Greg Sneddon, director;

Austria, “Goodnight Mommy,” Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, directors;

Bangladesh, “Jalal’s Story,” Abu Shahed Emon, director;

Belgium, “The Brand New Testament,” Jaco Van Dormael, director;

Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Our Everyday Story,” Ines Tanović, director;

Brazil, “The Second Mother,” Anna Muylaert, director;

Bulgaria, “The Judgment,” Stephan Komandarev, director;

Cambodia, “The Last Reel,” Sotho Kulikar, director;

Canada, “Félix and Meira,” Maxime Giroux, director;

Chile, “The Club,” Pablo Larraín, director;

China,...

Entries for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

Submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards are coming in and will continue until October, when the full list of eligible submissions will be revealed.

Last year, a record 83 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Polish feature Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski.

This year’s nominations must be submitted by Oct 1.

Nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 14, 2016.

The 88th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb 28, 2016.

Afghanistan: Utopia, Hassan Nazer

Albania: Bota, Iris Elezi, Thomas Logoreci

Austria: Goodnight Mommy, Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz

Bangladesh: Jalal’s Story, Abu Shahed Emon

Belgium: The Brand New Testament, Jaco Van Dormael

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Our Everyday Life, Ines Tanović

Brazil: The Second Mother, Anna Muylaert

Bulgaria: The Judgement, Stephan Komandarev

Cambodia:...