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| Goodbye UFO Scores 10 Nods at 44th Hong Kong Film Awards, Leads This Year’s Race (Photo: HK On) |
The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards nominations are officially out, and one title is clearly leading the charge. Goodbye UFO has stormed ahead with 10 nominations, instantly becoming the film to beat this year and setting the tone for a highly competitive awards season in Hong Kong cinema.
Fresh off its earlier win for Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, Goodbye UFO continues its strong momentum with nods for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, plus multiple acting and technical categories. Despite being released back in 2019, the film has found renewed attention, proving that powerful storytelling does not come with an expiry date.
Producer and screenwriter Amy Chin (錢小蕙) admitted she was genuinely surprised by the scale of support. She shared that what started as a dream project has slowly grown into something far bigger, thanking the industry and audiences who encouraged the team to “keep going” through a long and challenging journey.
Her message was simple: Hong Kong films need cinema-goers, and she hopes viewers will continue turning up for local productions.
On the acting front, Wong You Nam (黄又南) is nominated for Best Supporting Actor, while Michelle Wai (衛詩雅) is in the race for Best Supporting Actress.
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Both actors expressed excitement over the recognition, describing the nominations as encouragement not just for themselves, but for the entire cast and crew who poured years of effort into the film.
Meanwhile, actress-turned-director Shu Qi (舒淇) is making serious waves with her directorial debut, Girl (女孩).
The film secured nominations in three major creative categories: Best Director, Best New Director, and Best Screenplay.
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Shu Qi has already proven her capabilities behind the camera after winning Best Director at the Busan International Film Festival, and her return to the Hong Kong awards circuit has fans watching closely. Industry insiders are quietly calling her one of the most exciting creative forces to watch this year.
Adding spice to the race is upcoming release Girlfriend (女孩不平凡), which has surprisingly positioned itself as this year’s dark horse.
Although the film only hits cinemas on March 5, actress Elizabeth Tang (鄧濤) has already landed two nominations in her very first feature film: Best New Performer and Best Supporting Actress.
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She openly thanked her co-star Han Ning (韓寧) and director Tracy for trusting her despite limited experience, describing the production as one where actors felt genuinely supported. Early buzz suggests audiences are curious to see whether the awards recognition will translate into strong box office numbers.
Another major talking point is Fala Chen (陳法拉), who is widely tipped as a frontrunner for Best Actress thanks to her emotionally layered performance in psychological drama Peg O’My Heart, which picked up four nominations overall.
Marking her first Hong Kong film in a decade, Fala said the nomination feels deeply meaningful. She credited director Nick Cheung (張家輝) and producer Chung Chun (鍾珍) for entrusting her with a complex role that demanded vulnerability and range.
Many critics believe this could be her strongest chance at taking home the trophy.
Fans and netizens have had varied reactions to this year’s nominations. Supporters of Goodbye UFO argue the film’s consistent recognition proves it is a modern Hong Kong classic. Others are rooting for fresh blood, particularly praising Shu Qi’s bold transition into directing and Elizabeth Tang’s breakout moment.
Some online discussions have also debated whether veteran performers or newer faces should dominate this year’s wins, making the Best Actress and supporting categories especially heated topics across forums.
Established names, rising talents, and unexpected contenders all in the mix, the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable editions in recent years.
Will Goodbye UFO convert its 10 nominations into major wins, or will a dark horse steal the spotlight on the night?
What do you think — is Goodbye UFO the obvious winner, or are you backing Girl, Girlfriend, or Peg O’My Heart to surprise everyone?