The Asian Film Awards Academy has made adjustments to the schedule of this year’s Asian Film Awards to comply with the Hong Kong government’s recommendations for all public activities to be low-profile following last year’s deadly apartment fire.
The 2026 Awards will take place without a red carpet presentation or competitive award categories. Instead, special awards will be presented to filmmakers in what the Academy described as a “dignified and minimalist manner to recognise the outstanding contributions of film professionals.”
“This is a well-considered decision,” Dr. Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy, said in a statement. “We believe that, in the current environment, adopting a solemn and minimalist format for the awards ceremony is the most appropriate arrangement. At this time, we have chosen to honour filmmakers in a restrained manner as a mark of respect to all sectors of the community.”
161 people died in the multi-day fire that engulfed several residential tower blocks in Tai Po, in Hong Kong’s northern New Territories. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but officials say it started on the external scaffolding of the apartment complex before spreading to seven of the eight buildings on the apartment site. The apartment complex was undergoing a monthslong renovation project, and the buildings had been covered by bamboo scaffolding and green netting.
Many public events in Hong Kong have been paused or adapted following the fire. Disney canceled its Hong Kong premiere for Zootopia, and Hong Kong rang in the new year without an official fireworks display.
The date for the 2026 Asian Film Awards has yet to be announced.