In 1953, Masaichi Nagata, chairman of the Japanese Cinema company, invited Run Run Shaw and others to co-found the Southeast Asian Film Producers Association, and planned to organize a regular film exhibition. The initial members included Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Philippines. Southeast Asia Film Festival takes "Film Festival" as a platform, hoping to raise the level of film art in the whole Asia-Pacific region and promote the development and exchange of art, culture, economy, industry, trade and friendship among cities of different countries through the competition and viewing of excellent films from different countries.

Asia Pacific Film Festival (referred to as "Asia Pacific Film Festival") by the Alliance of Asia Pacific Film Producers, formerly known as "Southeast Asian Film Festival", "Asian Film Festival". The main exhibition will feature films from the Asia-Pacific region, with the purpose of promoting the improvement and dissemination of film art in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing multicultural exchanges and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship among people in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since the first Asia Pacific Film Festival was successfully held in 1954, 57 Asia Pacific Film festivals and exhibitions have been held so far.