The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is an international cultural initiative by the state government of Queensland to acclaim films from the region that best reflect their cultural origins and demonstrate cinematic excellence.

"The nominees were determined from more than 180 films from 43 countries and areas entered in these, the second APSAs," said Des Power, chairman of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, in a statement.

"We are greatly encouraged by the response from filmmakers from Asia-Pacific in our mission to acclaim their work and promote it to an international audience."