The 2026 New York Asian film festival (NYAFF) is gearing up for its 25th edition with an impressive lineup that includes two of the most talked-about films from this year’s Cannes Film FestivalHope by Na Hong-jin and Colony by Yeon Sang-ho. These films, directed by two of South Korea’s most celebrated filmmakers, are set to make their North American debuts at the festival, which runs from July 10th to July 26th across five New York venues.
Yeon Sang-ho’s Colony will kick off the festival as the opening night film, while Na Hong-jin’s Hope will serve as the centerpiece selection. Both directors are scheduled to attend in person for introductions and post-screening Q&As. The festival will also feature retrospectives dedicated to each filmmaker’s work, offering attendees a comprehensive look at their contributions to cinema.
Colony: A Thrilling Return to the Zombie Genre
Colony a fast-paced zombie thriller, follows a group of survivors trapped in a high-rise building after a fast-mutating virus is unleashed at a biotech conference. The film stars Korean superstar Jun Ji-hyun, also known as Gianna Jun, as an out-of-work professor who helps the survivors escape by uncovering patterns in the infected’s behavior. The star-studded cast also includes Ji Chang-wook, Koo Kyo-hwan, Shin Hyun-been, Go Soo, and Kim Shin-rok.
This film marks Director Yeon’s return to the zombie genre, which he helped redefine with his 2016 blockbuster Train to Busan. Colony has already made waves at the Korean box office, becoming the fastest film to surpass 4 million admissions this year. Well Go USA will release the film in theaters across North America on August 28th.
Yeon Sang-ho’s Zombie Filmography at NYAFF
In addition to Colony NYAFF will also screen Director Yeon’s previous zombie films, including Train to BusanSeoul Station and Peninsula. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Train to Busan the festival will present a new 4K restoration of the film, with Director Yeon in attendance. Well Go USA will re-release the film in its 4K version in theaters across North America on August 14th.
The schedule for Yeon’s movies at NYAFF 2026 includes:
- Colony (2026) – Friday, July 10, 7:30pm at Film at Lincoln Center (North American premiere; includes intro and Q&A with Director Yeon Sang-ho, actress Gianna Jun, and producer Ahn So-hee)
- A second screening of Colony will take place on Wednesday, July 15 at 7pm at the Korean Cultural Center New York.
- Train to Busan (2016) – Saturday, July 11, 3:15pm at Film at Lincoln Center (includes intro and Q&A with Director Yeon Sang-ho)
- Seoul Station (2016) – Monday, July 13, 7:00pm at IFC Center
- Peninsula (2026) – Saturday, July 25, 2:30pm at the Korean Cultural Center New York
Hope: A Genre-Bending Masterpiece
Director Na Hong-jin’s Hope which competed at Cannes this year despite still being in post-production, will also hold its North American premiere at NYAFF 2026. The film has been selected as the festival’s Centerpiece Film, and Director Na is slated to receive the 2026 Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema. This award is named after one of NYAFF’s founders, who passed away in 2013.
Hope is reported to be the most expensive Korean film ever made, with a budget of roughly $46 million. Described as a genre mashup of horror, comedy, action, and sci-fi, the film features an all-star cast that includes Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender, Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, Jung Ho-yeon, Zo In-sung, and Hwang Jung-min. The film was shot by the legendary Korean cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, who also worked on ParasiteBurning and Na’s 2016 classic The Wailing.
The story of Hope unfolds in a rural village near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, where a police chief played by Hwang Jung-min investigates a mutilated animal carcass. The investigation quickly spirals into a bloody showdown with cosmic stakes. Distributor NEON will release Hope in theaters across North America on September 9th.
Na Hong-jin’s Film Retrospective at NYAFF
NYAFF will also feature a retrospective of Director Na Hong-jin’s previous films, including The ChaserThe Yellow Sea and The Wailing. This retrospective will provide festival-goers with a deeper appreciation of Na’s unique cinematic vision and his significant contributions to the action genre.
The 2026 New York Asian Film Festival promises to be a celebration of South Korean cinema, showcasing the latest works from two of its most innovative directors. With a lineup that includes the highly anticipated Hope and Colony as well as retrospectives of Yeon Sang-ho and Na Hong-jin’s filmographies, NYAFF 2026 is set to be an unforgettable event for cinema enthusiasts.
