[2026.03.24] TONY LEUNG KA FAI, FISH LIEW WIN HONG KONG FILM DIRECTORS' GUILD BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS

Tony Leung Ka Fai and Fish Liew win the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Best Actor and Best Actress, adding to their confidence for the Hong Kong Film Awards next month

Shu Qi receives the "new director award" from frequent collaborator director Andrew Lau

Alex To wins an award as soon as he made a movie, director Juno Mak congratulates him

Louis Cheung has been putting his efforts into preparing for his concert, his wife Kay Tse would of course support him

Soi Cheang clarifies that Daniel Wu has always been the first choice for the role

Lokman Yeung and Anson Kong hope to talk their way into more and more movies and television series

THE SHADOW'S EDGE Tony Leung Ka Fai (left) and SOMEONE LIKE ME's Fish Liew (right) receive Best Actor and Best Actress

Alex To (left) receives Best Supporting Actor and thanks Juno Mak (right) for inviting him to perform in SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT

Shu Qi receives the New Director Award from Andrew Lau

Michelle Wai receives Best Supporting Actress with CIAO UFO

Soi Cheang (left) and Hu Jun (right) present the honorary award to Stanley Kwan (center)

Soi Cheang says that Daniel Wu's character was his from the beginning to the end and has not replaced anyone

Louis Cheung and his wife Kay Tse attend the Film Directors' Guild dinner and want to offer their services to filmmakers they admire

Sandra Ng reveals that she and her husband Peter Chan set off their romantic spark at the Directors' Guild dinner
courtesy of mingpao.com

The "Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Annual Dinner and Annual Awards Ceremony" was held the night before, and a total of 10 awards were presented. Tony Leung Ka Fai became the Best Actor with THE SHADOW'S EDGE (BO FUNG JUI YING), and Fish Liew Chi Yu was crowned Best Actress with SOMEONE LIKE ME (JEUNG NGOR JEH YEUNG DIK OI CHING); participating in SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT (FUN LUM FOR SHAN) Alex To Tak Wai and CIAO UFO (JOI GEIN UFO)'s Michelle Wai Sze Nga won Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively; GIRLFRIENDS (NUI HAI BUT PING FAN)'s Elizabeth Tang To received the "Best New Actor" and Stanley Kwan Kam Peng was awarded the "Honorary Award"; the movie CIAO UFO won Best Film and director Patrick Leung Pak Kin also won Best Director for this film. Shu Qi poked fun at herself as the oldest "new director" and wanted to make Hong Kong films; Wai Sze Nga disclosed her phone number on stage to "scrape for work", and Jia Zhangke also humorously "followed the trend".

Leung Ka Fai, Shu Qi, Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung), Liew Chi Yu, Wai Sze Nga, To Tak Wai, Kwan Kam Peng, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Jennifer Yu Heung Ying, Cecilia Choi Si Bui, Philip Ng Wan Lung, etc. appeared at the dinner. Sandra Ng Kwan Yu arrived with her husband Peter Chan Ho Sun. She recalled that she served as the emcee for the Film Directors' Guild dinner in 1993 and thus became acquainted with Chan Ho Sun, thus she has had a special affection for this dinner. "In 1993, I was the emcee for the dinner in the same place. Chan Ho Sun came to perform. He saw me and thought I was pretty, so he asked for my 'license' (phone number). Later everyone went for drinks with a group of directors. We started from there and have a lot of memory. I am very happy to be in the same place with so many new and old friends tonight." The event also invited Anthoney Chen, Jia Zhangke, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Yu Heung Ying, Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Hu Jun and Soi Cheang Pou Soi as award presenters so it was star- studded.

The funniest winner of the night was none other than "Best Supporting Actress" Wai Sze Nga, who excitedly made her phone number public to plead for collaborations she took the stage to accept the award. After winning the Guild's Best Actress for THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK) last year, this year she won Best Supporting Actress with CIAO UFO. She admitted that winning the award was a great encouragement, and she would not mind reducing her salary when she would encounter good roles and scripts. She only hoped that Hong Kong films would flourish. She also said that the phone number was real. "I don't dare to say now I have nonstop offers, I still want even more producers and directors to know me. So I publicized my phone number to field jobs. I want more people to find me." Would she reduce her salary to increase job opportunities? Wai Sze Nga said that for the good of Hong Kong film, she would be willing. "I believe as an actor, for a good role I wouldn't mind how much the pay would be. I am waiting for screenplays and opportunities. For now I don't have any new movies yet, mainly I would promote hard for CIAO UFO." When asked about her confidence for the Hong Kong Film Awards, she said that the nominees are all strong and would maintain a normal state of mind. She also announced that she would walk on the red carpet with her husband at that time.

Having been in the industry for 41 years, To Tak Wai won an award when he attended the Directors' Guild event for the first time and called it magical. He even reunited with the "missing director" Juno Mak Chun Lung again, and joked that the director disappeared after making the movie. Jia Zhangke presented Leung Ka Fai with "Best Actor", he said that he was very happy to get together with Hong Kong film colleagues, eager to work with Hong Kong actors and humorously imitated Wai Sze Nga's phone number announcement to make the audience laugh.

Singer To Tak Wai rarely made movies. Two nights ago he even won Best Supporting Actor with SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT. He joked that even after 41 years in the business, he was still able to sense the might of winning an award and the great sense of success. He was impacted from head to toe. He felt that currently he was at his mature condition acting wise, with the shot of confidence from the award this time he hoped to be able to play even more interesting characters.

Speaking of stipulating for Juno Mak Chun Lung to "call him back" on the stage, he said that during the shoot they would speak over the phone every other. Juno would very attentively answer any question he had about the character, but once the shoot was done he vanished. He joked, "Actually I wanted 'post sale service'! I hope to be able to receive his message here, how are you doing, is the movie entertaining! Today I got to see him on a rare occasion. I hope he wouldn't leave so soon later. I have a lot to share with him, and ask him why I am the only choice for the character." He also said that he would return home to celebrate with his family and share the joy.

The fresh out of the oven Best Actor Leung Ka Fai and Best Actress Liew Chi Yu were interviewed together. Absent from film events for a long time, Leung Ka Fai said that he was determined to participate and has never thought of winning an award. "I see many new and old friends and film colleagues on hand, everyone are very happy together and still have hope for Hong Kong films." Did he want to work until the torch would be passed to a new generation of actors? He said that since the golden age of Hong Kong films, the generation gap in the film industry has been talked about for many years. Now seeing how hard working the new generation of filmmakers has been and how well they have performed, he believed that he would be able to help them continue the film dream in their hearts. He was already happy to see many rising stars, admitting that the Directors' Guild award was rather meaningful and mentioned his role in THE SHADOW'S EDGE was not the lead but was recognized. He could consider it a double full harvest.

Liew Chi Yu said that she was deeply happy to receive the award from Cheng Sau Man, recalling that she often watched Hong Kong films in Malaysia when she was a child and was full of longing for Hong Kong. After coming to Hong Kong she kept working hard. Now she has received recognition, she thanked directors and producers for their appreciation; speaking of her film NIGHT KING (YEH WONG) exceeding HK$ 100 million at the box office and like Dayo Tze Wah she had three out of four Hong Kong films that grossed over HK$ 100 million, she joked that Tze Wah was the box office "captain" and she was just the "team member" who caught a ride. "I just happened to hitch a HK$ 100 million box office ride, maybe in the previous life I did a lot of good deeds." However regarding being dubbed the "lucky general", she was excited, said that she really liked this title and hoped that it would be able to spread further and land her more roles. Leung Ka Fai praised her for knowing how to be grateful and reminded her to write down her benefactor so that her brain would not go blank when she stood on the podium. Has Leung Ka Fai been busy taking care of his grandchildren? He laughed and said that he was busy with work, and taking care of his grandchildren was none of his business. Now he has two grandchildren, he humbly claimed to be a "domestic helper" who was responsible for taking care of household hygiene. He admitted that he had money, but not much.

Hu Jun presented the "Honorary Award" to Kwan Kam Peng. He happened to be attending the art festival in Hong Kong and thanked Cheang Pou Soi and Manfred Wong (Man Jun) for taking the time to contact him. Kwan Kam Peng revealed that originally he wanted to fly to Taiwan to meet actors, but attended only after Man Jun scolded him. Kwan Kam Peng looked back at the end of 1970s when he worked as an assistant screenwriter at the television station. He was grateful that he received the advice and support from many elders and benefited greatly. He was even fortunate enough to work with the late Anita Mui Yim Fong and Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing. Currently he is teaching at the Hong Kong City University, dedicating his effort to cultivate a new generation of directors.

When Lau Wai Keung presented Shu Qi with the "New Director" award, he mischievously brought up her putting on air and being late before entering the industry 30 years ago. They were originally scheduled to meet at 10 AM in Taiwan for in person casting but she did not show up until 8 PM. "I asked her why she was so late. She very arrogantly said that she went out, got drunk and couldn't get up; but just like that we have collaborated for 30 years, and I made 13 movies with her." Shu Qi laughed and admitted that she was late because she was drunk that day and did not remember until she heard the phone the next day. "I was in Taichung at the time and immediately rushed to Taipei. Without any makeup and clothes I casually went to meet the directors. I was filthy!"

"I have been in the film industry for 31 years and have been a very lucky girl. Although I acted like a big shot, two directors Lau Wai Keung and Man Jun still waited for me." She said that Lau Wai Keung constantly brought this incident up again. She admitted that GIRL has brought her multiple director awards, but when she made the movie she did not think about any award. At the time she only wanted to be under budget and complete the production smoothly. She felt very lucky and joked that she was the oldest "new director".

How would she and husband Stephen Fung Tak Lun celebrate? Shu Qi said, "Wait until it comes to an end first. (Are you waiting until after winning the Hong Kong Film Award?) I hope that I would be able to wait until the end of this year, in other words this year would keep bringing different award shows. (This year is a lucky one for you to win awards?) I don't really have any confidence, but with my connection with people I should be determined to participate." She also lamented that she has not made a Hong Kong film for more than ten years, admitted that she really wanted to but unfortunately no one has asked her. Who would she like to work with? She joked, "As long as it's not Lau Wai Keung it's fine." She also would like to work with new actors.

Also joking about coming to "scrape for work" were Lokman Yeung and Anson Kong Yip Sun. Lokman partnered with Hedwig Tam Sin Yin as the emcees of the Directors' Guild event for the first time, joking that he could justifiably "scrape for work" on stage; although Anson Kong had to leave early due to work, he also said that he would seize any job opportunity and hope to share film resources. Earlier they supported their group mate Tiger Yau's first solo concert and praised that his performance as mature. They were happy for him and also thought Tiger sharing the stage with his sister was heart warming. They hoped that Tiger would keep working hard for Part 2 of the concert, and they would not hesitate if he would need help.

In addition, Lokman earlier has been nominated for "Best Actor (Comedy/Farce) at the 34th Hong Kong Drama Awards. He stated that he has never even thought about it and was very happy to receive the recognition from the industry. AK's movie WE'RE NOTHING AT ALL (NGOR MOON BUT SI SUP MOR) would open next month. HE praised that story as exciting and hoped that even more people would support it.

Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild President Cheang Pou Soi also appeared the night before and personally clarified the rumors that Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) replaced Takuya Kimura in the movie TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: THE FINAL CHAPTER (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI JUNG JEUNG). Two Best Actresses Wai Ying Hung (Sister Hung) and Cheng Sau Man were also present to support the event.

Cheang Pou Soi revealed in an interview that the Directors' Guild would continue to hold master class exchange meetings, inviting filmmakers at home and abroad to discuss the future development of the film industry. Would it be a pity that Takuya Kimura would not participate in TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: THE FINAL CHAPTER? He clarified that the cast would be constantly adjusted during the creation of the film, and Ng Yin Cho has always been intended to play his role. There is no "replacement" for Takuya Kimura, and he has apologized to Ng Yin Cho's manager. He also revealed that Ng Yin Cho would accept training in advance for the action scenes. As for whether the action scenes would be more exciting than TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING), he said that he would do his best. "I don't dare to say THE FINAL CHAPTER would fight harder than WALLED IN. The presure is greater than the previous one, in the beginning I thought I woudn't have any pressure. Each movie would be its own movie. No matter what the box office performance would be, I only hoped production wise, including the story content, art, action, etc. would be better than the last time. I can take another step further. Indeed making a sequel wouldn't be as carefree as the first one. When I made the first one I didn't expect people would watch the movie and super lacked confidence." Would there will be pressure due to the box office of more than HK$ 100 million for the first installment? Cheang Pou Soi said frankly, "The unexpected popularity of the first installment would inevitably put pressure on the filming of the second part. I will try my best to do it well and try not to consider the box office baggage."

Sister Hung deliberately asked for leave from the set in Zhuhai, saying that she must be present to support the event. She needed to return to Zhuhai early the next morning for the shoot. She revealed that she has been collaborating with a new director on a mainland film, and said that she would set aside one spot to work with a new director every year. Would she like to direct? She admitted that she has been an assistant director more than 30 years ago and deeply understood the hard work behind the scenes. Also she had little interest in the backstage as she preferred to be in front of the camera. She admitted that she made more money on screen.

Sammi attended as an award presenter. The box office of NIGHT KING, starring her and Wong Tze Wah, has exceeded HK$ 100 million. She stated that she was very happy but unfortunately Tze Wah was not present, which made her feel that there was a difference. Regarding Tze Wah's promise to be a guest performer for Sammi's July Kai Tak concert if the box office exceeded 100 million, has he started rehearsing the choreography? Sammi said that she did not know if Zihua would be available at that time, and if he would be able to attend she would not mind having the limelight stolen. She would even be very happy. She also revealed that she planned to release a new album before the concert, hoping to do well this year in both movies and music do. She also said that she would attend the movie celebration banquet even if she would have to go on a diet for the concert. She would also consider using AI to make "wedding photos" with Tze Wah from when they were younger to thank the audience.

Louis Cheung Kai Chung attended with his wife Kay Tse On Kay. He said that he was very happy to see many directors he admired and on and off screen staff he was familiar with, and hoped to introduce himself and have an opportunity to collaborate. They also ran into Ali Lee Kai Sum. He and she with GOLDEN BOY (GUM TUNG) have been nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor and New Performer, and they congratulated each other. He also revealed that his concert preparation has been heating up. This time his family would not perform on stage but would support him in the audience. His son who is studying in Australia also would not return to Hong Kong to watch the show. Has his son adjusted to life there? Kay praised their son as a very good boy, everyday he would contact them and he has made many new friends.

Ah Chung earlier asked for online donations for an ailing father. The man later was revealed as living a luxurious life and suspected of taking advantage of the sympathy online. Ah Chung's face darkened when asked and said, "It's in the past! I won't comment any further. (Would you be more cautious when helping others?) It was a good experience. (Did you learn a lesson?) Normal people actually would learn a lesson after any experience."

HONG KONG FILM DIRECTORS' GUILD AWARDS

BEST FILM
CIAO UFO

BEST DIRECTOR
Patrick Leung (CIAO UFO)

BEST ACTOR
Tony Leung Ka Fai (THE SHADOW'S EDGE)

EST ACTRESS
Fish Liew (SOMEONE LIKE ME)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alex To (SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Michelle Wai (CIAO UFO)

BEST NEW ACTOR
Elizabeth Tang (GIRLFRIENDS)

BEST NEW DIRECTOR
Shu Qi (GIRL)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SPECIAL PRIZE
ANOTHER WORLD

HONORARY AWARD
Stanley Kwan