[Hong Kong, 13 January 2010] The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society has announced today that internationally renowned actor Tony LEUNG Ka-fai will undertake the role of Jury President for the 4th Asian Film Awards.
With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in the film industry, the Hong Kong native is best known on the international stage for his captivating performances in Jean-Jacque Annaud’s The Lover, and in the Taiwanese horror feature Double Vision. Leung has also starred in numerous popular Chinese movies, such as The Myth, Everlasting Regret, Election, and most recently, the action drama Bodyguards and Assassins.
“Tony Leung is an inspiration for all of us working in Asian cinema, and we are deeply honoured to have him as our Jury President this year,” says SHAW Soo Wei, Executive Director of the HKIFFS. “Delivering performances with an impressive range of skill, wit, charm and passion, Tony possesses the qualities we look for in every AFA-nominated film.”
“I feel very honoured to be the Jury President for the 4th AFA. In recent years, Asian films play a significant role in the international film industry, I am amazed by the collective efforts of filmmakers this year. It was such a challenge to select the nominations from hundreds of superb films this year, which are all part of a display of exquisite talent in Asian film. The world class productions you see today require a lot of dedication and beliefs.” says Leung.
Leung is one of the most respected Asian actors in film industry, having served as jury member at the 9th TOKYO FILMeX in 2008. He was also nominated for, and has received, various prestigious Asian film awards for his performances as actor and supporting actor. Leung’s successful career in film, as well as his professional knowledge and extensive experience in Asian cinema, makes him uniquely suited to be Jury President of the 4th AFA.
As Jury President, Leung is the head of Jury who will screen a pre-selected number of the best Asian films of the year, as well as advising on the selection and voting for a winner in the main categories. He will also be the spokesperson for AFA.
The 13-member AFA Jury comprises of film industry professionals from across the world. Their professional interests and expertise covers a range of work, including film criticism, production and film curating. They also play a vital role by advising on the selection of the main AFA nominees and voting for one winner in each of the main categories.
The 4th AFA Presentation Ceremony will take place on March 22, 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
For further information, media only:
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Tramy Leung, Tel: +852 2907 8812
Vickie Chong, Tel: +852 2578 2116
E-mail: HKIFFS-MediaEnquiries@waggeneredstrom.com
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society
E-mail: pr@hkiff.org.hk
Asian Film Awards (AFA)
Inaugurated in 2007, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) is an international pioneering programme, honouring filmmakers with outstanding achievements in the field of Asian cinema. Eminent filmmakers and superstars from around the world are invited to bestow awards upon winners of each category, making the ceremony an elaborate extravaganza. A jury panel, comprising of international professionals and prominent members in the community of world cinema, will select the award winners among eligible films produced in the region in that year. Over the years, prominent guests, stars and filmmakers who attended the AFA include: Oliver STONE, William HURT, Arthur COHN, Barrie OSBORNE, Harvey WEINSTEIN, Luc BESSON, Jet LI, John WOO, Rain, Andy LAU, Joan CHEN, Tony LEUNG, Michelle YEOH, SHU Qi, Josephine SIAO, HOU Hsiao-Hsien, Brilliante MENDOZA, SONG Kang-ho, JEON Do-yeon, NAKATANI Miki, KWAI Lun-Mei, Priyanka CHOPRA and many more. The crowning awards presentation ceremony promises an evening of glitz and glamour that befits the honouring of the highest achievements in Asian cinema.
For more information, please visit the official AFA website at: http://www.asianfilmawards.asia
About The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS)
Uniting the World through Film
The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film. Through its year-round programs, 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: Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and 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.
###
Released on behalf of the HKIFFS by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide.
Jury President of the 4th Asian Film Awards
 |
Mr. Tony LEUNG Ka-fai
Hong Kong
- 1983 Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Actor
- 1990 Golden Horse Awards – Best Actor
- 1992 Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Actor
- 1993 Hong Kong Artists’ Guild – Actor of the Year
- 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Actor
- 2008 Tokyo FILMeX – Jury Member
|
A veteran actor with over 25 years of experience in film, Tony LEUNG has participated in almost 100 productions. His consummate acting is found in a wide variety of genres, ranging from the outrageously hilarious 92 Legendary La Rose Noire to this year’s much-anticipated feature, Bodyguards and Assassins. With his dedication to and belief in the performing arts, Leung has elevated himself to a highly regarded position in the Asian and international film industry.
Leung’s film career began in 1983, when director Li Han-Hsiang invited him to participate in The Burning of Yuan Ming Yuan and Reign Behind the Curtain. He was named Best Actor at the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards for the latter, becoming the youngest best actor in the history of these prestigious awards.
Renowned as an actor of cinematic dramas, Leung received his first Golden Horse Award — Best Actor -- for Farewell China. With Election, he was named Best Actor at both Hong Kong Film Awards and Chinese Film Media Awards; meanwhile, Everlasting Regret and Eye in the Sky resulted in his being crowned Best Actor twice by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.
With an expansive filmography, Leung is best known for his performances in not only dramas, but also comedies. He deeply impressed audiences with his comedic talent in such films as Tom, Dick, and Hairy as well as He Ain’t Heavy…He’s My Father, and even won a Hong Kong Film Award — Best Actor -- for 92 Legendary La Rose Noire. Furthermore, he was named Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards with Men Suddenly in Black.
In 1992, Leung stepped onto the international stage for the first time by participating in the French film, L’Amant (The Lover). This film not only shattered box office records at the time, but also brought Leung the honour of Actor of the Year, presented to him by the Hong Kong Artists’ Guild in recognition of his contributions to film.
By 2005, Leung was ready for another challenge in his performing arts career. He took part in the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre production, Love in a Fallen City, which was performed over 70 times worldwide. With this, he received the 16th Shanghai Magnolia Stage Award — Best Actor.
In December 2009, the meticulously prepared Bodyguards and Assassins was finally released in theatres. Leung’s portrayal of Chen Shaobai was extremely well-received, and coupled with the movie’s strong position at box offices in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, this performance will generate a new wave of inspiration for Asian cinema.
In 2010, Leung was invited to become Jury President of the 4th Asian Film Awards, a programme honouring outstanding achievements in the field of Asian cinema. As Jury President, he will also be the spokesperson for the jury panel.
|
