Press Room
Hong Kong, 12 January 2012 – Film director Ann HUI On-wah, a leading light of the Hong Kong New Wave of the 1970s and 1980s, and an artist whose career has spanned decades of success, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming 6th Asian Film Awards (AFA), making her the first female recipient of the award. In the early part of her career, HUI directed films that were instrumental in igniting the distinct voice of Hong Kong film, giving early breakthrough roles to stars such as CHOW Yun-fat and Andy LAU, and has continued to create works that have combined mainstream success with intellectual depth to this day.
The Asian Film Awards (AFA) are dedicated to honouring filmmakers with outstanding achievements in the field of Asian cinema. The 6th Asian Film Awards Presentation Ceremony will take place on 19 March 2012 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In addition to 14 individual award categories, the 6th Asian Film Awards will also recognise the outstanding efforts and careers of professionals in the Asian film industry with three special awards: the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Edward Yang New Talent Award and the Award for 2011’s Top-Grossing Asian Film.
Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include the Japanese director YAMADA Yoji, famous for his “Samurai Trilogy”, the universally acclaimed Indian actor Amitabh BACHCHAN, and the influential Hong Kong producer and founder of the Golden Harvest studio, Raymond CHOW Man-wai.
HUI is particularly noted for several films that deal with issues of alienation and the immigrant experience. One of her most important works is Song of the Exile (1990), a semi-autobiographical drama of disorientation and loss of identity amid the tides of history. Song of the Exile was screened at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard selection. Her recent films The Way We Are (2008) and Night and Fog (2009) – the two-part ‘Tin Shui Wai series’ – were both nominated for numerous awards, examining themes of alienation and dissatisfaction among local families and new immigrants to Hong Kong. The Way We Are went on to win four prizes at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards, and three at the 15th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
HUI’s films inhabit a variety of genres, ranging from her ambitious 1987 two-part adaption of the wuxia novel The Book and the Sword, which became the first Hong Kong feature production to be made entirely on the Chinese mainland and with an all-mainland cast, to the controversial, politically-charged thriller Boat People (1982) which gave Andy LAU his breakout big-screen role, the horror comedies The Spooky Bunch (1980) and Visible Secret (2001), and the politically and socially aware dramas Ordinary Heroes (1999). Over the course of her career, Ann HUI has consistently operated at the highest levels of the Hong Kong film industry, working with major names including actresses Michelle YEOH and Anita MUI, and legendary director King HU.
She worked again with Andy LAU in her latest film A Simple Life (2011) which also brought back actress Deannie IP after a long absence from the screen. IP won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her performance.
“The influence of Ann HUI on Hong Kong film is hard to overstate,” said Mr. Wilfred WONG SBS JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), the organising body of the AFA. “She was one of the foremost members of the Hong Kong New Wave in the late 1970s, exploring established genres in new ways, and creating a new, vernacular cinema that helped to express the emerging Hong Kong identity. And rather than rest on her laurels, she has continued to be prolific – I believe she has made a film almost every year since 1979 – without ever compromising quality. She has proven to be a master of every kind of film to which she has turned her hand. Thrilling, contemplative, funny, scary, romantic, challenging – Ann HUI’s films are all these things and more. She represents the standard to which Hong Kong’s filmmakers aspire. She has also been a strong supporter of Hong Kong’s film culture and film development. She was on the executive committee of the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild from 1993 to 2004, and then its President until 2006. She served as the Vice Chairman of the HKIFFS when it was first established and we thank her for all her efforts in helping nurture the Society’s growth and activities.”
Hong Kong-based film director Ann HUI On-wah will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming 6th Asian Film Awards (AFA).
About the Asian Film Awards
The AFA Presentation Ceremony takes place as part of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. Since 2007, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) has sought to highlight the best in Asian cinema to the world, and to promote Asian film culture both regionally and internationally. Eminent filmmakers, distinguished guests and acclaimed talents from around the world are invited to bestow awards upon the winner(s) of each category, making the Ceremony a dazzling extravaganza as well as an influential cultural event that helps position Hong Kong as the hub of Asian cinema. Each year, the AFA makes presentations in a range of categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, in recognition of artistic achievements in the cinemas and film industries of the Asian region.
For more information about the Asian Film Awards and film submission for nomination, please visit: www.asianfilmawards.asia.
About Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited
Uniting the World through Film
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.
Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organizes three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).
Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspired films all year round.
Website: www.hkiff.org.hk
For further information, media only:
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
April TSUI
Tel: +852-6336-8090
E-mail: atsui@waggeneredstrom.com
Miranda KWOK
Tel: +952-9612-1607
E-mail: mkwok@waggeneredstrom.com
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society
Catherine LIU
Tel: +852-2102-7391 / +852-9621-7430
E-mail: catherine_liu@hkiff.org.hk
June LUI
Tel: +852-2102-7392 / +852-9642-6576
E-mail: june_lui@hkiff.org.hk
(1 November 2011 – Hong Kong) Presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), the 6th Asian Film Awards (AFA) announced the opening of film submissions for AFA nominations today.
Launched in 2007, the AFA is a pioneering programme honouring filmmakers with outstanding achievements in the field of Asian cinema. The AFA is the only platform in the world that brings together the best cinematic talents of Asia, drawing film fans and professionals from all across the globe.
Individual film submissions for AFA nomination were introduced in 2009 and are being invited again for the 6th AFA.
“At a time when Asian cinema is increasingly attracting international attention, inviting open submission from individuals is intended to encourage greater participation from all territories in Asia and we hope will help recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of all Asian talents across the board.” said the Executive Director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, Mr. Roger Garcia.
Together with the open submission, the 6th AFA now comprises three channels for submission which are: (i) official Submission Organizations; (ii) Jury members; and (iii) open submission. Films can be submitted directly online at https://apps.asianfilmawards.asia/submission.
Submission of films for nomination is open from 1 to 30 November 2011. Nominees for the 6th AFA will be announced at least four weeks before the AFA Presentation Ceremony, which will be held on 19 March 2012.
For the 6th AFA, the official Submission Organizations include: Cinema Department, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Cambodia; Motion Picture Industry Association Limited (MPIA), Hong Kong; National Film Development Corporation, India; Bali Film Center, Indonesia; UniJapan, Japan; Korea Film Producers Association, South Korea; National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), Malaysia; Film Development Board, Nepal; Film Development Council of Philippines, The Philippines; Singapore Film Commission, Singapore; Taipei Film Commission, Taiwan; The Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand, Thailand; and Vietnam Media Corporation, Vietnam. The official Submission Organizations, together with a panel of professional jurors, determine the nominees from the eligible films produced and released theatrically in the Asian region in that year.
There are 14 categories for nomination and up to six nominees are selected in each of the categories. These include: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenwriter, Best Cinematographer, Best Production Designer, Best Composer, Best Editor, Best Visual Effects, and Best Costume Designer.
The AFA Presentation Ceremony takes place as part of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. Eminent filmmakers, distinguished guests and acclaimed talents from around the world are invited to bestow awards upon the winner(s) of each category, making the Ceremony a dazzling extravaganza as well as an influential cultural event that helps position Hong Kong as the hub of Asian cinema.
For more information about the Asian Film Awards and film submission for nomination, please visit: www.asianfilmawards.asia.
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About Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited
Uniting the World through Film
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.
Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organizes three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).
Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspired films all year round.
Website: www.hkiff.org.hk
Media Enquiries:
HKIFFS
Catherine Liu
DL: +852 2102 7391/ +852 9621 7430 E-mail: catherine_liu@hkiff.org.hk
June Lui
DL: +852 2102 7392/ +852 9642 6576 E-mail: june_lui@hkiff.org.hk
Main: +852 2970 3300 Fax: +852 2970 3011
TENDER NOTIFICATION
Tender for the Provision of Project Management, Hospitality and Logistics Services for
the 6th Asian Film Awards
(Tender Ref. AFA 06-0002)
1. The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited invites interested parties to submit tenders in triplicate for providing the captioned services for the 6th Asian Film Awards to be held on 19th March 2012.
TENDER NOTIFICATION
Tender for the Provision of Production, Outdoor Broadcast and Telecast
for The 6th Asian Film Awards
(Tender Ref. AFA 06-0001)
1. The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited invites interested parties to submit tenders in triplicate for providing the captioned services for the 6th Asian Film Awards to be held on 19 March 2012.
22 June, 2011 (Hong Kong) – The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) announced today the first graduation ceremony of the Jockey Club Cine Academy (JCCA) Educators Workshop held on 18 June 2011. As one of the seven programmes under Jockey Club Cine Academy (JCCA), a 3-year film education programme funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, JCCA Educators Workshop is Hong Kong’s first series of workshops for educators to learn the basics of film literacy, using the moving image as an educator’s teaching tool.
The Workshop consists of one course of 12 classes running on a bi-weekly basis, held twice a year for two different groups of educators. The ceremony on 18 June 2011 recognised graduates in the landmark first course that was held from January to June 2011. Mr. Li Cheuk-to, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, and Ms. Wong Ain-ling, Programme Director of the JCCA Educators Workshop officiated at the graduation ceremony.
“We strongly believe that we should put more resources and effort into nurturing the next generation of film-makers and film goers. Both groups are equally important for the development of our film culture and film industry. The film-going experience is important in the appreciation of film culture but with the growth in different forms of digital delivery, our young people are no longer regular visitors to the cinema,” said Roger GARCIA, Executive Director of the HKIFFS. “With the JCCA Educators Workshop, a wide range of experienced educators have been able to watch films and learn about the cinema from dedicated critics and scholars. They have been equipped to introduce film education in the school system, and can help plant the seeds of passion for film in our young generation at an early stage.”
