Still from Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’
Courtesy of NEON
This year marks the 25th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), spotlighting two highly anticipated films from Cannes: Na Hong-jin’s *Hope* and Yeon Sang-ho’s *Colony*. Na, a pioneering Korean director, marks a milestone as his fourth feature ever invited to Cannes, while *Hope* became the first Korean film in four years to compete for the Palme d’Or. Both directors will premiere their works at NYAFF, with in-person introductions and Q&As scheduled for both films.
NYAFF 2026 poster
Courtesy of NYAFF
*Colony*, selected as the festival’s opening night film, is a high-stakes zombie thriller directed by Yeon. Premiering at Film at Lincoln Center on July 10th, it explores survivors battling a mutated virus within a quarantined skyscraper. The cast includes Jun Ji-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, and other Korean stars. Well Go USA will release it in theaters on August 28th.
*Hope*, NYAFF’s centerpiece, is Na’s most ambitious project to date, blending horror, comedy, and sci-fi. With a budget exceeding $46 million, it features an ensemble cast including Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Jung Ho-yeon. The film debuts July 20th, followed by a home video release on September 9th by NEON. NYAFF will also screen Na’s earlier works, including *The Chaser*, *The Yellow Sea*, and the iconic *The Wailing*.
Yeon’s *Colony* will open the festival, followed by a retrospective of his zombie films—*Train to Busan* (4K restored for its 10th anniversary), *Seoul Station*, and *Peninsula*—across multiple venues. The schedule includes Q&As with Yeon and cast members.
