Michael Hui, the veteran Hong Kong comedy actor and director, became the first recipient of Udine Far East Film Festival’s Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement this evening for his outstanding contribution to Asian comedy.

Hui’s brand of Hong Kong comedy brings together superbly-timed verbal humour and choreographed sight gags, driven by anarchic energy and informed by a strong social awareness as well as a sympathy for the little man, whom he often portrays in his films, as well as directing and writing the scripts.

Upon receiving his award, Hui said, “It’s an honour for me to receive this prize in Udine at a festival with so many film-lovers in attendance. I intend to continue making more comedies and making the world a better place.”

Sabrina Baracetti, President of the Festival, said of the decision to present this award to Hui, “It is with great pleasure that we award the Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement to Michael, whom we consider to be a giant in Asian comedy. All of us at the Far East Film Festival are great fans of his work and it is our honour to feature his films at the Asia Laughs! retrospective, so that a whole new generation of film lovers can discover his comic genius.”

Three of Hui’s films – The Private Eyes, Chicken and Duck Talk and Games Gamblers Play have been included in Asia Laughs!, the retrospective of Asian comedies from 60s to present day which is running alongside the Festival’s programme.