A Simple Life stars nominated for Asian film honours

Hong Kong filmmakers will vie against the best in Asia, after receiving 13 nominations yesterday for the 6th annual Asian Film Awards.

Hongkongers nominated for acting honours include Andy Lau Tak-wah and Deanie Ip Tak-han. The pair starred in local drama A Simple Life and have been shortlisted in the best actor and best actress categories.

Other local nominees include Alan Mak Siu-fai and Felix Chong Man-keung, up for best screenwriter for crime thriller film Overheard 2, and Curran Pang for best editor for the same film.

Nominations for Hong Kong films - including co-productions with the mainland - were down from the 22 received last year. In all, 32 films from 11 countries and territories will compete for 15 awards.

They range from blockbusters, such as the Hong Kong-mainland co-production The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, to film-festival favourites that have won critical acclaim, like the Iranian drama A Separation.

Other contenders include Michelle Chen Yan-si and Ko Chen-tung - the stars of Taiwanese romance You Are the Apple of My Eye - were nominated for best actress and best newcomer.

'Last year was a very exciting year for Asian films,' said Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, which organises the March 19 awards. 'The quality of films from all over Asia have made the selection process very difficult.'