18th Asian Film Awards kick off in HK with 30 films competing for glory

The Asian film industry convenes at Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District on Sunday for the 18th Asian Film Awards, with Hong Kong production films winning a total of four awards at the event.

This year's event showcases a curated selection of 30 exceptional films from 25 different countries and regions, competing for recognition across 16 distinct award categories.

"All We Imagine as Light" -- a film co-produced by India, France, Netherlands and Luxembourg -- won the "Best Film" award at the event.

The "Best Director" went to Yoshida Daihachi for "Teki Cometh," while Hong Kong actor Sean Lau Ching-wan won "Best Actor" for the local film "Papa."

Shahana Goswami was named the "Best Actress" for the co-production film "Santosh" by India, United Kingdom, France and Germany.

The South Korean film "Exhuma" -- which received a total 11 nominations -- bagged "Best Costume Design" and "Best Visual Effects" at the ceremony.

The "Best Editing" as well as "Best Production Design" went to the local blockbuster "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In," which has received nine nominations across several categories.

Another local film, "The Last Dance," won the "Best Original Music."

Stars arriving on the red carpet at around 5pm on Sunday, including Sean Lau, Malaysian actress Lin Min Chen, South Korean actor Jang Dong Gun, Taiwanese actors Eddie Peng, Wu Kang-ren, and actress Alice Ko Chia-yen.

Local singers MC Cheung Tin-fu and Marf Yau also joined the event, with Cheung being one of the award presenters.

(Updated at 10.48pm)

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