The Hong Kong Film Awards recently launched their first round of voting, but the release of the eligibility list and rules quickly sparked controversy within the film industry. Beyond the absence of several highly anticipated local productions, attention has centered on the unexpected removal of the long-standing category for “Best Asian Chinese-Language Film.” The change effectively excludes films from Taiwan, mainland China, and Southeast Asia from competing at this year’s ceremony.
Observers noted that several anticipated titles failed to appear on the initial voting list, including Punishment, starring Anthony Wong, Today Should Be Happy, On the Way to the Hospital led by Neo Yau, and Mother Earth, a cross-border production featuring Fan Bingbing. More significantly, however, industry figures were surprised to find that the “Best Asian Film” category—first introduced in 2002 and later renamed multiple times—had been removed altogether without prior notice.
Over the years, the category played a symbolic role in fostering regional exchange. Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away won the inaugural award, while Taiwan’s You Are the Apple of My Eye claimed the first Best Chinese-Language Film honor in 2012. In recent editions, Taiwanese films The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon and Old Fox took the award in consecutive years, highlighting Taiwan’s strong presence on the Hong Kong awards stage.
With the category’s cancellation, a number of well-received non–Hong Kong Chinese-language films that were theatrically released in Hong Kong in 2025 were deemed ineligible from the outset. These include Taiwanese titles such as Left-Handed Girl and the action film 96 Minutes, as well as mainland Chinese productions like the animated hit Ne Zha: The Devil’s Fury, Nanjing Photo Studio, and Lychees of Chang’an.
The move has raised concerns about the Hong Kong Film Awards’ future positioning. Critics argue that removing a key regional category may weaken the awards’ role as a platform for broader Asian cinema and reduce its cultural diversity. According to local media reports, when asked to comment on the decision, the Hong Kong Film Awards Association offered only a brief response of “no comment,” leaving industry speculation unresolved.
