secret sunshine

In a star-studded celebration ceremony officiated by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Mr. Frederick Ma, the 2nd Asian Film Awards (AFA) presented their awards tonight at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, kicking off the 4th Entertainment Expo Hong Kong which runs through April 13th, 2008.

In an event hosting 2500 guests from around the world and broadcast live on TVB Pearl (Television Broadcasts Limited), AFA’s official broadcaster, and re-transmitted by other international channels, the AFA’s red-carpet gala and award ceremony paid tribute to 33 nominated Asian films in 12 categories and bestowed two world renowned filmmakers with special accolades. The awards were presented by top regional celebrities and filmmakers.

Winning 3 of the 12 prizes, South Korea’s SECRET SUNSHINE was awarded Best Film, presented by the film’s lead actor Song Kang-ho and AFA 2008 winner Miki Nakatini. The film also won Best Director for Lee Chang-dong (presented by Joan Chen and Hollywood studio chief Harvey Weinstein) and Best Actress to Jeon Do-yeon.

The Best Actor award went to Tony Leung Chiu-wai (LUST, CAUTION); Best Supporting Actor to Sun Honglei (MONGOL); and Best Supporting Actress to Joan Chen (THE SUN ALSO RISES).

Best Screenwriter was awarded to Au Kin-yee and Wai Ka-fai (MAD DETECTIVE); Best Cinematographer to Liao Pen-jung (HELP ME EROS); Best Visual Effects to Ng Yuen-fai (THE WARLORDS); Best Production Designer to Cao Jiu-ping and Zhang Jian-qun (THE SUN ALSO RISES); Best Editor to David Richardson (EYE IN THE SKY), and Best Composer to Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani (OM SHANTI OM).

In addition to the twelve categories, special tributes were also an integral part of the ceremony with visionary Japanese filmmaker Yuya Ishii receiving The Edward Yang New Talent Award from director Ann Hui and actor Chang Han, while renowned director Hou Hsiao-hsien honored Yamada Yuji with the Lifetime Achievement Award.