The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards have concluded, with the nostalgic sci-fi drama Ciao UFO emerging as the evening’s biggest success. The ceremony, held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on April 19, honored the local industry’s output from 2025.
While the night celebrated the return to pre-pandemic production levels, it was Ciao UFO that defined the event. The film secured the top prize of the night, taking home Best Film among four other major category wins.
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Directed by Patrick Leung Pak-kin, Ciao UFO captured the imagination of voters with its story of three friends navigating childhood memories in a 1980s housing estate. In addition to the Best Film accolade, the production took home Best Director for Leung and Best Screenplay for Kong Ho-yan and Amy Chin.
The film also saw success in the supporting categories, with Michelle Wai winning Best Supporting Actress. The recognition serves as a significant marker for the local industry, which has been working to balance the release of pandemic-era backlog films with a surge of new creative projects.
Acting Honors and Career Milestones
The acting categories saw a mix of historic records and emotional breakthroughs. Tony Leung Ka-fai, a titan of the industry, secured the Best Actor award for his role in The Shadow’s Edge. This victory marks his fifth win in the category, cementing his legacy as the only actor to receive HKFA acting honors across five consecutive decades.
In a poignant moment, Malaysian-born actress Fish Liew Chi-yu took home the Best Actress trophy for her role in Someone Like Me. Liew, who portrayed a woman living with cerebral palsy, was visibly moved during her acceptance speech.
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“I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the cast and crew,” Liew said during her speech. “This award is a shared achievement, and I dedicate it to the real-life individuals who were brave enough to share their experiences with me during preparation.”
Emerging Talent and Industry Recognition
The ceremony also turned its gaze toward the future of Hong Kong cinema. Taiwanese star Shu Qi received the Best New Director award for her debut feature, Girl. Reflecting on the stage, she noted the full-circle moment, recalling that she had won her own first major award at the same ceremony 29 years ago.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Tang was honored as Best New Performer for her role in the romance Girlfriends. The night also featured a Lifetime Achievement Award for visual effects expert John Chu Ka-yan, presented by industry legends Chow Yun-fat and Andrew Lau Wai-keung.
While technical achievements were largely dominated by the crime epic Sons of the Neon Night—which swept eight trophies including cinematography and visual effects—the focus remained on the resilience of local talent. Despite discussions among critics regarding the selection process for some eligible films, the 44th edition of the awards was largely viewed as a successful showcase of the industry’s ability to maintain its creative standard.