Taiwanese auteurs Chang and Hou make time for fans at film premiere

Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang Ai-chia and director Hou Hsiao-hsien were in hot demand at the Tuesday premiere of their new film, 10+10, at the Cultural Centre's Grand Theatre.

Photographers and fans vied for a chance to see Chang, who's also a director, and Hou, a pioneer in Taiwan's new wave cinema scene.

The film was produced by 20 Taiwanese directors, who were each given five minutes to tell a story about a specific facet of Taiwan that makes it unique.

The premiere coincided with the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival awards gala, where prizes were bestowed on the best films from this year's festival.

Chang and Hou took time to answer some questions from the eager crowd before being whisked backstage.

At the gala, nine prizes were awarded in five categories. The highlights included the presentation of the Signis Award - which recognises films that deal with social issues and spiritual values - to Monsieur Lazhar by Philippe Falardeau.