Asia’s vibrant film industry continues to gain global recognition, with its documentaries and shows consistently earning prestigious awards and critical acclaim. Recent highlights include the 2025 Asian Film Awards, where Indian director Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” won Best Picture, capping a successful festival run that began with a Grand Prix at Cannes. Other standout films include South Korea’s supernatural thriller “Exhuma,” which led the nominations with its gripping exploration of exorcism and ritual, and China’s “Black Dog,” lauded for its nuanced portrayal of human nature and societal challenges459.
Asian documentaries are also making waves on the international stage. For instance, “The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors” by HBO Asia and Star India has been recognized as Best Documentary Series at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, underscoring the region’s commitment to powerful, investigative storytelling6. Film festivals like the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Online South Asian Documentary Film Festival further showcase Asia’s diverse narratives, from poetic explorations of womanhood and sports in “Maybe It’s Just the Rain” to urgent reflections on climate change across South Asia2710. These achievements reflect the dynamic storytelling, cultural richness, and artistic excellence that define Asia’s award-winning documentaries and shows.
