What Is 1987 Hong Kong Film Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Hong Kong Film Awards honored the best films and performances from 1986, with the ceremony held on April 10, 1987. The film 'Police Story' won Best Picture and Best Director for Jackie Chan, marking a milestone in Hong Kong action cinema.

Key Facts

The 6th Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony occurred on April 10, 1987.
Police Story won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Action Choreography.
Jackie Chan received Best Director for the first time at these awards.
The ceremony honored films released in 1986.
Anita Mui won Best Actress for her role in 'A Better Tomorrow'.

Overview

The 1987 Hong Kong Film Awards marked the 6th edition of the prestigious ceremony, celebrating excellence in Hong Kong cinema for films released in 1986. Held on April 10, 1987, it recognized groundbreaking achievements in directing, acting, and technical artistry during a pivotal era of Hong Kong’s film industry.

This year’s awards highlighted the rise of action cinema and the increasing sophistication of storytelling in local productions. The event brought together major figures in the industry, cementing the awards’ reputation as the most important film honors in Chinese-speaking Asia.

Best Picture went to Police Story, a high-octane action film directed by and starring Jackie Chan, known for its dangerous stunts and innovative choreography.
Best Director was awarded to Jackie Chan for Police Story, marking his first win in this category and a recognition of his directorial prowess beyond acting.
Best Actor was won by Chow Yun-fat for his performance in A Better Tomorrow, a crime drama that redefined the heroic bloodshed genre in Hong Kong cinema.
Best Actress went to Anita Mui for her role in A Better Tomorrow, where she portrayed a complex nightclub singer caught in a web of loyalty and betrayal.
Best Action Choreography was awarded to Jackie Chan and his team for Police Story, setting a new benchmark for stunt work in action films worldwide.

How It Works

The Hong Kong Film Awards operate through a multi-tiered voting system involving industry professionals, ensuring credibility and prestige. Membership in the Hong Kong Film Awards Association is required to vote, and nominees are selected through a structured ballot process.

Nomination Process: Industry members submit entries, and a preliminary committee verifies eligibility based on release date and production criteria from January 1 to December 31, 1986.
Voting Members: Only full members of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association can vote, with over 150 qualified professionals participating in the 1987 selection.
Jury Panels: Separate juries evaluate each category, especially for technical awards like cinematography and sound design, to ensure expert judgment.
Final Ballot: The final round of voting determines winners, with results sealed until the live ceremony on April 10, 1987.
Eligibility Rules: Films must be produced or co-produced in Hong Kong and released in theaters for at least seven consecutive days to qualify.
International Input: While primarily a local honor, foreign films with significant Hong Kong involvement were occasionally considered in special categories.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 awards featured several leading films that defined the era—here's how they compared across major categories:

Category	Winner	Film	Significance
Best Picture	Jackie Chan	Police Story	Set new standards for action filmmaking with real stunts and minimal effects.
Best Director	Jackie Chan	Police Story	First directing win for Chan, affirming his creative control over action sequences.
Best Actor	Chow Yun-fat	A Better Tomorrow	Launched the 'heroic bloodshed' archetype that influenced countless crime films.
Best Actress	Anita Mui	A Better Tomorrow	Highlighted emotional depth in female roles within male-dominated genres.
Best Action Choreography	Jackie Chan Team	Police Story	Won for dangerous mall fight scene filmed over one week with multiple injuries.

These results illustrate how 1987 celebrated both narrative innovation and technical mastery. The dominance of Police Story and A Better Tomorrow reflected a shift toward emotionally charged, visually dynamic cinema that resonated across Asia and beyond.

Why It Matters

The 1987 Hong Kong Film Awards were a turning point in recognizing the artistic and commercial power of local cinema. They elevated Hong Kong filmmakers on the global stage and influenced action and crime genres internationally.

Global Influence:Police Story inspired Hollywood action directors, with filmmakers like John Woo citing its impact on stunt choreography.
Cultural Legacy: The awards preserved Cantonese-language cinema during a time of growing Mandarin dominance in Chinese media.
Star Power: Winners like Chow Yun-fat and Anita Mui became pan-Asian icons, boosting cross-border film collaborations.
Genre Evolution: The success of heroic bloodshed films encouraged studios to invest in complex crime narratives.
Technical Standards: The recognition of action choreography raised production values across the industry.
Historical Benchmark: The 1987 ceremony is now studied as a peak moment in Hong Kong’s cinematic golden age.

Today, the 1987 awards remain a reference point for excellence in Asian cinema, symbolizing a vibrant era when Hong Kong films captivated audiences worldwide with bold storytelling and fearless innovation.