The 20th New York Asian Film Festival was held in New York from 6 August to 22 August 2021. The opening film of the festival was Escape from Mogadishu, a South Korean film by Ryoo Seung-wan. Seventy titles were screened both online, as well as in person. The 20th edition of the festival featured two world premieres, six international premieres, twenty nine North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres and nine New York premieres.
2021's festival featured the first ever outdoor screening of Raymond LeeâÂÂs wuxia 1992 film New Dragon Gate Inn at Lincoln CenterâÂÂs Damrosch Park on August 11. The event was co-presented by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York.
The Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film was awarded to Anima by Cao Jinling.
This year a new section is added to focus on Asian American experience.
From 20th edition of the festival the non-competitive films are grouped thematically, in the following categories: