NYAFF 2026 to Feature Premieres of Cannes Hits ‘Hope’ and ‘Colony’

The 2026 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) will showcase the North American premieres of two highly anticipated films from this year’s Cannes Film Festival: 'Hope' by Na Hong-jin and 'Colony' by Yeon Sang-ho. This marks the festival's 25th edition, running from July 10th to 26th, and will feature over 50 filmmakers across five venues in New York City. 'Colony', which is set to open the festival, has already made waves in South Korea, becoming the fastest film to surpass 4 million admissions at the box office this year. The film follows a group of survivors navigating a high-rise building during a viral outbreak, with Korean star Jun Ji-hyun in a leading role. 'Hope' will serve as the festival's centerpiece and is notable for being the first Korean film in four years to compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes. Both directors will attend the festival for introductions and post-screening Q&As, and retrospectives of their works will also be included in the lineup. NYAFF continues to highlight the growing influence of Korean cinema on the global stage, particularly through the success of its filmmakers at international festivals. The festival promises to be a significant cultural event, celebrating the artistry and storytelling of Asian filmmakers while engaging audiences in New York.