At the 10th London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF), Korean director Lee Hwan’s Project Y won the Best Film Award for its bold, female-driven narrative and inventive reinvention of the noir genre. The award ceremony, held in London on November 2, 2025, marked a milestone for contemporary Asian cinema, with the film standing out for its emotional depth and genre-defying approach.
A Gripping Tale of Ambition and Survival
Set amid the neon-lit nightlife of Seoul’s Gangnam district, Project Y follows two childhood friends — Mi-sun (Han So-hee) and Do-kyung (Jeon Jong-seo) — who risk everything in a daring heist to steal hidden cash and gold worth 8 billion KRW. Their pursuit of freedom spirals into a tense web of betrayal and survival. The film’s grounded realism and raw emotional energy captivated both the festival jury and audiences.
Redefining the Noir Genre Through a Female Lens
The film received critical acclaim for challenging the traditionally male-dominated conventions of the noir genre. By placing female agency and perspective at the centre, Project Y reimagines the crime narrative through themes of resilience, power, and moral conflict. Critics hailed its nuanced portrayal of women navigating ambition and desperation in a world stacked against them, positioning it as a landmark in feminist Asian cinema.
Performances and Direction
Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo deliver commanding performances, their on-screen chemistry driving the narrative’s emotional intensity. Supporting actors Kim Shin-rok and Kim Sung-cheol add depth and complexity, portraying figures of both loyalty and menace.
Director Lee Hwan, known for his realist storytelling in Park Hwa-young and Adults Don’t Know, once again demonstrates his ability to blend social commentary with cinematic intensity and emotional truth.
Facts
- Project Y won Best Film at the 10th London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) 2025.
- Directed by Lee Hwan; starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo.
- A female-led noir exploring themes of ambition, betrayal, and survival.
- LEAFF 2025 also honoured Run to The with the Future of Asia Cinema Award.
Festival Highlights and Future Outlook
The 2025 edition of LEAFF celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of championing Asian cinematic innovation. Executive Director Jeon Hye-jung praised the festival’s growth into a vital cultural bridge between Asia and Europe.
With Project Y’s triumph, Korean cinema once again reaffirmed its global creative influence, highlighting new directions for female-led storytelling and genre experimentation in world cinema