Gouw, who starred in After This Our Exile - which was the big winner of the night with five gongs - stole the hearts of the audience and media after accepting his first award, saying it was heavier than he had expected.

He said he preferred winning the Hong Kong Film Award to Taiwan's Golden Horse because the Hong Kong award was lighter.

He told the audience he had not expected to win and promised to 'work hard' in the future.

Asked by reporters what his plans were, the shy young man said he would buy a Wii game console and 10 video games. An hour later, after he had won his second award, he upped his video game wish list to 20.

The prize for the best Asian film went to China's Riding Along for a Thousand Miles.

Ironically, considering Korean film The Host won the top nod for best movie at the Asian Film Awards last month, two Korean stars, Kwon Sang-woo and Song Hye-kyo, had the task of presenting that award last night.

The professional achievement award went to Man Yun-ling, who began her 30-year career as a make-up artist with the Shaw Studios in the 1970s.

As ever, all eyes were on the fashions and jewellery worn by the stars on the night.

Isabella Leong Lok-sze, who starred in Isabella, lost out on best actress to Curse Of The Golden Flower's Gong Li , but appeared the picture of calm in a white HK$300,000 Valentino vintage-style gown and HK$22 million worth of Mont Blanc jewels.

The best original film score went to Isabella and to musician Peter Kam Pui-tat. He won the same award at Belin's Silver Bear Awards.

'I wasn't very successful in Hong Kong in my music career 10 years ago, but now I've found musical inspiration,' he said last night.

'I see myself as both a musician and a movie fan.'

Jay Chou Jie-lun, who lost out on best supporting actor to Gouw, said he was not disappointed and wished his young rival the best of luck.

His loss in the acting field was made up when the song he composed and sang for Curse of the Golden Flower, Ju Hua Tai, won best original film song.

'I got a good feeling for the music in the movie as I was acting in it too,' he said.

Chou, who was busy backstage answering reporters' questions, missed his cue to pick up Gong Li's award when she was announced as best actor.

Those not lucky enough to get into the Cultural Centre to see the awards presentation ceremony first-hand could sit in one of the 800 seats set up outside in front of a giant screen.

In the spotlight

Best film

After This Our Exile

Best director

Patrick Tam Ka-ming (After This Our Exile)

Best screenplay

Patrick Tam Ka-Ming and Tian Koi-leong (After This Our Exile)

Best actor

Lau Ching-wan (My Name Is Fame)

Best actress

Gong Li (Curse Of The Golden Flower)

Best supporting actor

Gouw Ian Iskandar (After This Our Exile)

Best supporting actress

Zhou Xun (The Banquet)

Best new performer

Gouw Ian Iskandar (After This Our Exile)

Best cinematography

Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Lai Yiu-fai (Confession Of Pain)

Best editing

Patrick Tam Ka-ming (After This Our Exile)

Best art direction

Huo Tingxiao (Curse Of The Golden Flower)

Best costume and make-up design

Yee Chung-man (Curse Of The Golden Flower)

Best action choreography

Yuen Wo-ping (Fearless)

Best orginal film score

Peter Kam Pui-tat (Isabella)

Best original film song

Ju Hua Tai by Jay Chou Jie-lun (Curse Of The Golden Flower)

Best sound design

Nakom Kositpaisal (Re-Cycle)

Best visual effects

Ng Yuen-fai, Chas Chau Chi-shing, Emil Yee Kwok-leung and Alex Lim Hung-fung (Re-Cycle)

Best new director

Daniel Wu Yin-cho (The Heavenly Kings)

Best Asian film

Riding Alone For Thousands Of Miles (mainland)