What Is 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards honored the best films of 2008, held on April 19, 2009, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It was the 28th edition of the awards, with *The Warlords* winning 5 awards including Best Picture.

Key Facts

The 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards took place on April 19, 2009.
It was the 28th edition of the Hong Kong Film Awards.
*The Warlords* won Best Film and 4 other awards.
The ceremony was hosted by Eric Tsang, Carol Cheng, and Wong Jing.
A total of 140 films were eligible for nomination in 2008.

Overview

The 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards celebrated cinematic excellence in films released during 2008. As the 28th edition of the prestigious event, it recognized achievements across 19 categories, from acting to technical craftsmanship. The ceremony was held on April 19, 2009, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, drawing major figures from the Chinese-language film industry.

Organized by the Hong Kong Film Awards Association, the event highlighted the evolving landscape of Hong Kong cinema amid rising competition from mainland China. Despite box office fluctuations, the 2009 awards emphasized artistic merit, honoring both commercial successes and critically acclaimed works. The night culminated in a sweeping victory for the historical war epic *The Warlords*.

Best Film: *The Warlords* won the top prize, marking a rare achievement for a large-scale period action film in recent years.
Date and venue: The ceremony occurred on April 19, 2009, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Eligibility period: Films released between January 1 and December 31, 2008, were considered for nomination.
Hosts: Eric Tsang, Carol Cheng, and Wong Jing co-hosted the event, bringing a mix of humor and gravitas.
Number of nominees: A total of 140 films were submitted for consideration across all categories.

How It Works

The Hong Kong Film Awards operate through a multi-tiered voting process involving industry professionals. Members of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association vote in rounds to determine nominees and winners, ensuring peer recognition.

Voting Membership: Over 1,300 members from 12 film-related sectors vote, including directors, actors, and cinematographers.
Nomination Committee: A panel of 50 judges selects five nominees per category based on initial ballots.
Final Ballot: All members vote on the shortlisted nominees to determine the final winners in each category.
Eligibility Rules: Films must have a theatrical run of at least 7 days in Hong Kong to qualify.
Language Requirement: The film must be in Cantonese or Mandarin with original Hong Kong production involvement.
Transparency: Results are audited by a certified public accounting firm to ensure fairness and accuracy.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2009 awards can be better understood by comparing key winners to previous years and similar ceremonies like the Golden Horse Awards.

Award Category	2009 Winner	2008 Winner	2009 Golden Horse Equivalent
Best Film	The Warlords	Sparrow	No Regret
Best Director	Wai Ka-Fai and Hui Suk-Yin for Mad Detective	Johnnie To for Exiled	Wei Te-Sheng for Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale
Best Actor	Siu-Ming Lau for SPL: Sha Po Lang	Tony Leung Chiu-Wai for Protégé	Danny Chow for The Message
Best Actress	Zhou Xun for The Equation of Love and Death	Zhou Xun for Painted Skin	Yao Chen for Invisible Wings
Best Supporting Actor	Tony Leung Chiu-Wai for The Warlords	Anthony Wong for Eye in the Sky	Chen Baoguo for The Message

This comparison shows that the 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards favored genre films with strong performances, unlike the Golden Horse Awards, which leaned toward mainland Chinese productions. The overlap in acting talent, such as Zhou Xun, illustrates the interconnectedness of Chinese-language cinema. While *The Warlords* dominated locally, it did not win top honors at the Golden Horse, highlighting regional preferences.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Hong Kong Film Awards were significant for reaffirming the cultural importance of Hong Kong cinema amid increasing mainland influence. The recognition of diverse genres—from crime thrillers to historical epics—demonstrated the industry’s creative resilience.

Industry Validation: Winning an HKFA award enhances a film’s prestige and often boosts international distribution opportunities.
Cultural Identity: The awards preserve Cantonese-language cinema as a distinct voice within the broader Chinese film landscape.
Career Impact: Actors like Tony Leung saw renewed acclaim, reinforcing their status across Asia.
Technical Recognition: Categories like Best Cinematography and Sound Design spotlight often-overlooked craftspeople.
Box Office Influence: Films winning Best Picture often see a 15–30% increase in local ticket sales post-ceremony.
Regional Competition: The HKFA serves as a benchmark against Taiwan’s Golden Horse and mainland China’s Hundred Flowers Awards.

Ultimately, the 2009 ceremony was more than a celebration—it was a statement about the enduring relevance of Hong Kong filmmaking. As co-productions with mainland studios grow, the awards continue to honor uniquely local stories and artistic risks.