(III) BEST ASIAN FILM

Any Asian films (non-Hong Kong film) which theatrically released in Hong Kong and meets all the following criteria :

1. Theatrically released during the period January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.
2. The film are exhibited publicly for paid admission for at least five shows within a week.
3. With a duration of not less than 60 minutes.
4. The film must be released by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format (refer to note 9).

Election Procedures

First Round Election :

1. Two voting portions including (a) registered HKFA Voters and (b) first round 100 professional adjudicators. Each voter is eligible to select five films. The result of each group will comprise 50% of the first round’s total score. The first 5 highest- scores will enter into the second round election (final assessment).

2. There will be not more than five nominations in principle, but with the following exception: If there are tie scores between two nominees in the fifth slot, six nominees will be permitted in that award. If there are more than two nominees with equal scores in the fifth slot, the number of nominations for that award will be reduced to four.

Second Round Election :

1. The second round election is carried out through the voting by two groups (a) the second round 50 professional adjudicators and (b) Executive Committee Members of HKFA and members of Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong. Each member can cast one vote only. The result of each group will comprise 50% of the second round’s total score.

2. If there are tie scores between two nominees, the Second Round 50 Professional Adjudicators will vote again to determine the award winner.

(IV) "BEST NEW DIRECTOR"

Eligibility

1. Nominees of the Best New Director must be a Hong Kong resident and holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. There is no age limit.
2. Nominees should not have directed for more than two films (co-direct films will not be counted). The nominated film(s) must have been publicly exhibited for paid admission in Hong Kong for at least five shows within a week during 2009. The duration of the film must not less than 60 minutes and released by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format (refer to note 9).
3. Collaborating Directors are not eligible for nomination.
4. Nominees should not have received any similar award in Hong Kong, but nomination is accepted.

Election Procedures

1. First round election

• The first round election is carried out through the voting by members of the Hong Kong Film Directors’Guild and HKFA voters (for the group of film critics and professionals in film culture and education only). The first 3 highest-scores will enter into the second round election (final assessment). If there are two nominees with equal scores in the third slot, the number of nominations will be increased to four.

2. Second round election

• The second round election is carried out by the following three groups :
• The Second Round 50 Professional Adjudicators ( 50% of the total score)
• Members of the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild ( 25% of the total score)
• Executive Committee members of HKFA and members of CASH ( 25% of the total score).

If there are tie scores between two nominees, the Second Round 50 Professional Adjudicators will vote again to determine the award winner.

(V) VOTING METHOD

First Round Election

The Hong Kong Film Awards Association will post all voting materials to HKFA voters and the First Round 100 Professional Adjudicators. All voting forms must be returned to HKFA office before the deadline. After verifying voter’s signature, all forms will be delivered to the official accountant for vote counting.

(VI) VOTING DEADLINE

- According to the post-marked date

First Round Election (Nomination Voting) - 28 January, 2010
Second Round Election (Final Assessment) - 29 March, 2010

* If any dispute arises, the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right for final decision.

(Note 1)

The definition of “Hong Kong Film”: its duration must not less than 60 minutes and also meet with at least two of the following criteria :-

1. The film director must be a Hong Kong resident and holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
2. At least one film company is legally registered in Hong Kong SAR.
3. At least SIX persons of the production crew are Hong Kong residents and holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. Count on the working positions of the following 15 awards : Producer, Screenplay, Actor in a leading role, Actress in a leading role, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Film Editing, Art Direction, Costume & Make Up Design, Action Choreography, Original Film Score, Original Film Song, Sound Design and Visual Effects.

Remarks :

*	Only one Hong Kong resident will be counted for each working position as mentioned above.
*	As for the “Original Film Score”, if there are more than one Hong Kong resident have participated in the original creation including composer, lyricist and singer, then only one person will be counted.
Film version for screening:
*	Any nominated film for the “Best Film” award can be submitted in either a released version or a director’s cut (provided that it was released for public in the awards year).

(Note 2)

Nominees of the Best New Performer award must have not participated in any film playing a leading role or supporting role before the awards year, his/her eligible film can be more than one. Nominees of the Best New Performer also be eligible for nomination either for the “Best Actor/ Actress” or “Best Supporting Actor/Actress” by the same film. If any dispute arise, the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right for final decision.

(Note 3)

Nominated pieces for the Best Original Film Score must be the original creation for the film particularly which is first used in that film and stated in the roller credits list. Nominees will be required to provide music cue sheet or notification of works form issued by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong for verification. Any nominee fail to provide such documents, Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right to cancel his/her nomination.

(Note 4)

Nominated songs for the Best Original Film Song must be the original creation for the film particularly which is first used in that film and stated in the roller credits list. Nominees will be required to provide music cue sheet or notification of works form issued by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong for verification. Any nominee fail to provide such documents, Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right to cancel his/her nomination.

(Note 5)

“Best Sound Design” is defined as an overall judgment of every audible procedure of the particular film, including dubbing / sync-sound recording, sound effects, music scoring, optical process and final mixing.

(Note 6)

“Best Visual Effects” is determined by the contribution the visual effects make to the overall production including Computer special effects operated in production stage and scene shooting (i) explosions (ii) miniature and mechanical special effects. Primary individuals who directly involved with, and principally responsible for, and have a major contribution to the visual effects are eligible for the nomination of the “Best Visual Effects” award. The names of the primary individuals shall be provided by film producer, executive producer or director and not to exceed four in number.

(Note 7)

Qualification of “Hong Kong Film Awards Voters”
HKFA voters must be over the age of 18 and holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card. Voters must also fulfill one of the following criteria:

1. Hong Kong film workers whose names have been listed in a Hong Kong film’s roller credits in the following position(s): Film producer, producer, production coordinator, line producer, director, deputy director, first assistant director, production assistant, scriptwriter, actor/actress, dubbing artists, cinematographer, assistant cinematographer, gaffer, film editor, assistant film editor, art director, assistant art director, costume designer, assistant costume designer, action choreographer, assistant action choreographer, audio-effect designer, sound-man, post production recording and mixing technician in chief, computer effect designer, film score composer, lyricist/singer/composer for film songs.

2. Current members of the following associations who have participated in Hong Kong film (his/her name is stated in the roller credits list):
   Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild, Hong Kong Screen Writers’ Guild, Hong Kong Stuntman Association, Society of Cinematographer (H.K.), Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild, Society of Film Editors (H.K.), Hong Kong Film Arts Association, Hong Kong Movie Production Executives Association, Hong Kong Cinematography Lighting Association, Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals and members of other film associations invited by the Hong Kong Film Awards Association.

3. Film critics whose critiques have been published in Hong Kong during the current year.

4. Any person whose career or profession is connected to film culture or education..

5. Any person who has been working for film distribution or promotion for not less than 3 years.

(Note 8)

Members of the “First Round 100 Professional Adjudicators” and the “Second Round 50 Professional Adjudicators” are invited by the Voting Affairs Committee of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association which comprises of professionals in the following categories: producer, line producer, production assistant, director, scriptwriter, cinematographer, action choreographer, art director, film editor, actor, actress, film score composer, gaffer, sound-man, visual effects, film critic, professionals whose career is connected to film culture or education, electronic media, film distributors and film promotion executives.

(Note 9)

In a 24- or 48-frame progressive scan Digital Cinema format with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 x 1080 pixels, source image format conforming to SMPTE 428-1-2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Image Characteristics; image compression (if used) conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 (JPEG 2000), and image and sound file formats suitable for exhibition in commercial Digital Cinema sites.