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Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) has reportedly dropped four titles from the contenders list for this year’s ceremony, along with the Best Asian Chinese-language film category, prompting concerns over government censorship.
According to local press reports, three Hong Kong movies have disappeared from the list of eligible films issued by HKFA last week – Timothy Yeung’s Finch & Midland, Vincci Cheuk’s Vital Signs, and Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, co-directed by Sen Lam and Antonio Tam – along with Malaysian-Hong Kong title Mother Bhumi, directed by Chong Keat Aun.
All four films met the eligibility criteria for this year’s awards, which includes Hong Kong participation in production or investment, and at least five screenings in Hong Kong cinemas before December 31.
In addition, local press has reported that the Best Asian Chinese-Language Film category has been removed. Designed to recognise Chinese-language films made outside Hong Kong, the category has been won by Taiwanese films for the past two years: The Pig, The Snake And The Pigeon in 2024 and Old Fox in 2025.
These changes were not discussed in internal HKFA meetings leading to concerns that there has been pressure from local government, which is a major backer of the awards. Local press is speculating that the films have been dropped due to the talent involved.
Anthony Wong, who supported the Occupy Central movement and anti-extradition bill protests in Hong Kong, stars in both Valley Of The Shadow Of Death and Finch & Midland. Vital Signs stars Neo Yau who was involved in a political satire group that mocked the government.
Mother Bhumi stars mainland Chinese actress Fan Bingbing who was cancelled in China in 2018 over a tax evasion scandal and has mostly worked on international titles since then. Fan and Wong were both being considered as front runners for Best Actress and Actor at this year’s awards.
Deadline has reached out to HKFA for comment but not received a response.
Established in 1982, the HKFA is Hong Kong’s top awards ceremony, usually taking place in April, although the date for this year’s ceremony has not been announced. Both nominees and award winners are voted on by local film professionals, critics and academics, along with a professional jury. Voting for nominees usually takes places in January.
Released in Hong Kong last week, Finch & Midland is the story of four middle-aged Hong Kong immigrants struggling to make a living in 1990s Canada. Vital Signs, also starring Louis Koo and Angela Yuen, is a comedy drama revolving around a group of paramedics which received funding from the Hong Kong Film Development Council.
Valley Of The Shadow Of Death tells the story of a pastor whose church gives shelter to a man involved in the death of his daughter. Produced by the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, the film screened at last year’s New York Asian Film Festival.
Mother Bhumi, about a single mother in Malaysia fighting land seizures, received eight nominations and won three prizes at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards, including Best Actress for Fan.
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