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| 44th Hong Kong Film Awards 2026 Winners: Ciao UFO Sweeps, Tony Leung Wins Again, Fish Liew Lands First Big Crown. |
The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards 2026 delivered exactly what award season loves most: clear winners, overdue moments and a few results that sent film fans straight to their group chats. Ciao UFO ruled the night with five major victories, taking Best Film and Best Director for Patrick Leung , while proving once again that if a film gets momentum at the right time, it can become unstoppable very quickly.
The biggest talking point, though hardly a shock, was Tony Leung collecting Best Actor for The Shadow's Edge. It marks his fifth win in the category, which at this stage feels less like news and more like an annual reminder that some stars simply refuse to age out of greatness. Viewers online joked that future nominees should first ask whether Tony is competing before preparing acceptance speeches.
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| HK Film Awards |
Another standout moment came with Fish Liew, who secured her first Best Actress prize for Someone Like Me.
Many fans described the win as long overdue, praising her consistency and emotional range across recent years. Social media reaction leaned warm and celebratory, with plenty saying it was refreshing to see a performer finally get recognized instead of being endlessly labeled “deserving”.
The ceremony also gave audiences one of the night's most talked-about career pivots as Shu Qi won Best New Director for Girl.
Moving from acclaimed screen icon to prize-winning filmmaker is no small shift, but she made it look annoyingly effortless. Netizens praised the transition, while some joked that succeeding in one career apparently was not enough.
Supporting categories brought their own strong moments. Alex To won Best Supporting Actor for Sons of the Neon Night, while Michelle Wai claimed Best Supporting Actress for Ciao UFO.
44th Hong Kong Film Awards Winners 2026
Both victories were welcomed online, especially among viewers who felt supporting performances often carry films quietly while the leads get all the magazine covers.
New talent was also recognized, with Elizabeth Tang winning Best New Performer for Girlfriends. Many younger viewers celebrated the result, calling it a sign that fresh faces are still breaking through in a highly competitive industry. It also sparked chatter about which rising stars could dominate next year's race.
Behind the camera, Ciao UFO added Best Screenplay to its growing pile of trophies, reinforcing that its success was not just about hype but structure, storytelling and execution.
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| Ciao UFO Sweeps Hong Kong Film Awards 2026 |
Meanwhile, Sons of the Neon Night became the technical powerhouse of the evening, winning Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Design, and Best Original Score.
If style had a favorite child this year, it was clearly that film.
Action fans had their own moment when The Shadow's Edge took Best Action Choreography, adding another layer to Tony Leung's winning night. Ciao UFO also picked up Best Original Song for Hua Fu Yi Hao, capping off a ceremony where it seemed to win something every time the envelope opened.
Special honors added emotional weight to the evening. Yiu Man Kei received the Professional Achievement Award, while John Chu was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of contribution to Hong Kong cinema and the wider industry.
Online reactions were mixed in the most predictable way possible: supporters called the results deserved, critics questioned snubs, and everyone suddenly became an awards expert for six hours.
Some viewers praised the balance between prestige wins and fresh names, while others argued certain contenders were overlooked. In other words, award season remains award season.
Still, the night belonged to Ciao UFO, with Tony Leung, Fish Liew and Shu Qi adding headline moments that will keep the conversation going. Which result did you rate, which snub annoyed you, and who should be winning next year?