24th New York Asian Film Festival

July 11-27, 2025

FilmsGuestsTalks & EventsSchedule & Tickets
North American Premiere

The Hearing

This searing courtroom drama focuses on Lucas, a deaf boy from a remote Philippine fishing village who becomes central to a high-profile criminal case. Raised by caring individuals who respect his intelligence, Lucas and his mother confront a judicial system indifferent or complicit. Forced to testify without a sign-language interpreter, Lucas faces systemic failures that silence vulnerable voices, especially deaf children. Anchored by child actor Enzo Osorio’s powerful performance, The Hearing offers an unflinching indictment of institutional injustice, highlighting the struggle for dignity and fairness amid overwhelming adversity.

Director: Lawrence Fajardo
Producer: Krisma Maclang Fajardo
Cast: Mylene Dizon, Nor Domingo, Enzo Osorio, Ina Feleo, Ruby Ruiz, Joel Torre
Languages: Tagalog with English subtitles
2024; 105 min.
Country: Philippines

SCHEDULE:

Monday July 21, 3:00pm
Film at Lincoln Center

Intro and Q&A with director Lawrence Fajardo and producer Krisma Maclang Fajardo

Lawrence Fajardo

Lawrence ‘Law’ Fajardo is a film and television director, editor, and producer who focuses on translating real-life situations and experiences on screen. Among his prominent works is Amok (2011), a finalist in the New Breed Category of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival which also won Best Sound and Editing in the Gawad Urian in 2012. Posas (2012) won Best Film in the Director's Showcase Category at Cinemalaya and traveled to many international festivals, winning Best Film at the Hanoi International Film Festival. In 2015, Imbisibol swept seven awards at the inaugural Sinag Maynila, including Best Director, Best Picture and Best Screenplay, before traveling overseas. His most recent films include A Hard Day (2022 Metro Manila Film Festival) and The Hearing (Best Actor winner at the 2024 Cinemalaya), which he is presenting at NYAFF 2025.