APFF has been held 60 times, over 60 years. It is the oldest Chinese and Asian languages film stage from Asian film festivals. It owns the functions of diplomacy, art, education, sightseeing, economic. Moreover, it is also a historic and influential film art exchange in Asia-Pacific, and an important event to foster talents.

The festival was subsequently held in a different country each year, and its name was changed to the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. From 1972 to 1976, the film festival was temporarily run as a non competition film market, after acknowledging the over heating of competitions surrounding prizes by member states.