The 36th annual Hong Kong Film Awards have announced their nominees, with romantic film "Soul Mate" topping the list with 12 nominations.
Nominations for the film by Hong Kong director Derek Tseng include Best Film, Best Director and two Best Actress nominations for its female leads, Zhou Dongyu and Ma Sichun.
The film, adapted from a novel of the same title, tells the story of two best friends who fall in love with the same man. It received rave reviews since its release last September. "Soul Mate" garnered the Best Actress award for both Zhou and Ma at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards, making history with a joint Best Actress win in 2016.
Other films nominated for Best Film include action-drama "Cold War II," "The Mermaid," "Trivisa" and "Weeds on Fire."
"Cold War II," directed by Lok Man Leung, Kim-Ching Luk and starring Aaron Kwok, Tony Ka Fai Leung, Yun-Fat Chow and Charlie Yeung, gained 10 nominations. Its previous installment "Cold War" swept the 32th Hong Kong Film Award with nine wins.
Stephen Chow's top grossing sci-fi comedy "The Mermaid," Chun Wong's indie drama "Mad World" and Chi-fat Chan's sport film "Weeds on Fire" all have eight nominations, respectively. Frank Hui, Jevons Au Man-Kit and Vicky Wong's "Trivisa," another critically applauded crime film, earned seven nominations, with actors Lam Ka Tung and Richie Ren both nominated in the Best Actor category.
Mainland actress Tang Wei has also been nominated for Best Actress for her performance in "Book of Love."
The 36th Hong Kong Film Awards will be announced on April 16.
Full nomination list:
Best Film
"Soul Mate"
"The Mermaid"
"Cold War II"
"Trivisa"
"Weeds On Fire"
Best Director
Wong Chun ("Mad World")
Derek Tsang ("Soul Mate")
Johnnie To ("Three")
Stephen Chow ("The Mermaid")
Frank Hui, Jevons Au, Vicky Wong ("Trivisa")
Best Screenplay
Florence Chan ("Mad World")
Lam Wing Sum, Li Yuan, Xu Yi-meng, Wu Nan ("Soul Mate")
Stephen Chow ("The Mermaid")
Longman Leung, Sunny Luk, Jack Ng ("Cold War II")
Loong Man Hong, Thomas Ng, Mak Tin Shu ("Trivisa")
Best Actor
Shawn Yue ("Mad World")
Francis Ng ("Shed Skin Papa")
Tony Leung Ka Fai ("Cold War II")
Richie Jen ("Trivisa")
Lam Ka Tung ("Trivisa")
Best Actress
Zhou Dongyu ("Soul Mate")
Ma Sichun ("Soul Mate")
Nina Paw ("Show Me Your Love")
Tang Wei ("Book Of Love")
Kara Wai ("Happiness")
Best Supporting Actor
Eric Tsang ("Mad World")
Paul Chin Pei ("Book Of Love")
Ng Mang Tat ("The Menu")
Philip Keung ("Trivisa")
Liu Kai Chi ("Weeds On Fire")
Best Supporting Actress
Charmaine Fong ("Mad World")
Elaine Jin ("Mad World")
Zhang Yu Qi ("The Mermaid")
Fish Liew ("Sisterhood")
Janice Man ("Cold War II")
Best New Performer
James Ng ("Happiness")
Jelly Lin ("The Mermaid")
Jennifer Yu ("Sisterhood")
Wu Tsz Tung Tony ("Weeds On Fire")
Tam Sin Yin ("Weeds On Fire")
Best Cinematography
Jake Pollock, Jing-Ping Yu ("Soul Mate")
Cheng Siu Keung, To Hung Mo ("Three")
Jason Kwan ("Cold War II")
O Sing Pui ("Weeds On Fire")
Peter Pau, Cao Yu ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Film Editing
Derek Hui, Li Dianshi, Zhou Xiaolin, Tan Xiang-Yuan ("Soul Mate")
Jordan Goldman, Ron Chan ("Cold War II")
David Richardson ("Operation Mekong")
Allen Leung, David Richardson ("Trivisa")
David Wu ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Art Direction
Zhai Tao ("Soul Mate")
Silver Cheung, Fion Lee, Wu Zhen, Chong Kwok Wing ("Sword Master")
Daniel Fu ("The Monkey King 2")
Chan Kam Ho Raymond ("The Mermaid")
Alfred Yau ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Costume & Make-up Design
Dora Ng ("Soul Mate")
Stanley Cheung ("Sword Master")
Kenneth Yee Chung Man, Dora Ng ("The Monkey King 2")
William Chang, Lui Fung Shan ("League Of Gods")
William Chang, Cheung Siu Hong ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Action Choreography
Yuen Bun, Dion Lam ("Sword Master")
Sammo Hung ("Call Of Heroes")
Sammo Hung ("The Monkey King 2")
Chin Ka Lok ("Cold War II")
Tung Wai ("Operation Mekong")
Best Original Film Score
Yusuke Hatano ("Mad World")
Peter Kam, Yusuke Hatano ("Soul Mate")
Peter Kam ("Cold War II")
Day Tai ("Weeds On Fire")
Nathaniel Mechaly ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Original Film Song
(It's Not A Crime) It's Just What We Do ("Soul Mate")
Wu Di ("The Mermaid")
Anthem Of Shatin Martins ("Weeds On Fire")
Better Tomorrow (Happiness)
Keep Me By Your Side ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Sound Design
Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu Keung, Yiu Chun Hin, Lai Chi Hung ("Sword Master")
Yin Jay ("The Monkey King 2")
Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu Keung ("Cold War II")
Nopawat Likitwong, Kaikangwol Rungsakorn, Sarunyu Nurnsai, Stan Yau ("Operation Mekong")
Robert Mackenzie ("See You Tomorrow")
Best Visual Effects
Sungjin Luke Jung ("Sword Master")
Luke Sungjin Jung, Sanghoon Kim, Kim Chan Soo, Kim Chlu Min ("The Monkey King 2")
Ken Law Wai Ho, Lee Inho, Kang Tae Gyun, Marco Ng ("The Mermaid")
Yee Kwok Leung, Raymond Leung ("Cold War II")
Yee Kwok Leung, Felix Lai Tsz Fei, Kang Tae Gyun ("Operation Mekong")
Best New Director
Wong Chun ("Mad World")
Derek Tsang ("Soul Mate")
Jazz BOON ("Line Walker")
Andy Lo ("Happiness")
Stevefat ("Weeds On Fire")
Best Film from Mainland and Taiwan
"Godspeed"
"Chongqing Hot Pot"
"The Road To Mandalay"
"Mr. Six"
“I Am Not Madame Bovary"
Source: china.org by Zhang Rui