What Is 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards honored the best in Hong Kong cinema for films released in 2005, with the ceremony held on April 8, 2006. The film 'Election' won 6 awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Key Facts

2006 Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony took place on April 8, 2006.
Awarded films released in 2005 in Hong Kong.
'Election' won 6 awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
Johnnie To won Best Director for 'Election'.
Tony Leung Ka-fai won Best Actor for 'Internal Affairs'.

Overview

The 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards celebrated excellence in Hong Kong cinema for films released during 2005. The ceremony was held on April 8, 2006, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, marking the 25th edition of the awards. Hosted by comedian Dayo Wong, the event drew top talent from the local film industry and highlighted a year of strong cinematic output.

One of the most notable winners was Johnnie To’s crime thriller 'Election', which dominated the night by winning six major awards. The film's success underscored a shift toward darker, more socially conscious storytelling in Hong Kong cinema. The awards also recognized performances, technical achievements, and contributions to the industry’s legacy.

Best Film went to 'Election', a gritty crime drama that explored triad politics and moral ambiguity in modern Hong Kong society.
Best Director was awarded to Johnnie To for 'Election', marking his second win in this category after 2004.
Best Actor was won by Tony Leung Ka-fai for his role in 'Internal Affairs', a psychological thriller about police corruption.
Best Actress was awarded to Zhou Xun for her performance in 'Perhaps Love', a musical drama directed by Peter Chan.
Best Screenplay went to Wai Ka-fai and Au Kin-yee for 'Election', praised for its tight narrative and realistic dialogue.

How It Works

The Hong Kong Film Awards operate through a voting system managed by the Hong Kong Film Awards Association, which includes over 3,000 industry professionals. Members vote in stages to determine nominees and winners across 19 categories, combining artistic merit with technical excellence.

Eligibility Period: Films must have had their first theatrical release in Hong Kong between January 1 and December 31, 2005. This ensured only 2005 releases were considered.
Voting Members: Over 3,000 members from film-related guilds, including directors, actors, and technicians, are eligible to vote in the preliminary and final rounds.
Nomination Process: A preliminary jury selects 10 contenders per category, then members vote to narrow it to 5 nominees per award.
Final Voting: Final ballots are cast by members, with winners determined by a majority vote in most categories.
Special Awards: The Lifetime Achievement and Professional Achievement awards are selected by a special committee, not by general vote.
Transparency: The process is audited by a third-party firm to ensure fairness, a practice adopted after past controversies in the early 2000s.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top award winners at the 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards and their counterparts at the Golden Horse Awards and the Academy Awards in the same year.

Award	2006 Hong Kong Film Awards	Golden Horse 2005	Academy Awards 2006
Best Film	'Election'	'Election 2'	'Crash'
Best Director	Johnnie To ('Election')	Johnnie To ('Election')	Ang Lee ('Brokeback Mountain')
Best Actor	Tony Leung Ka-fai ('Internal Affairs')	Aaron Kwok ('Running on Karma')	Philip Seymour Hoffman ('Capote')
Best Actress	Zhou Xun ('Perhaps Love')	Zhou Xun ('Perhaps Love')	Reese Witherspoon ('Walk the Line')
Best Screenplay	Wai Ka-fai, Au Kin-yee ('Election')	Alan Mak, Felix Chong ('Infernal Affairs')	Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana ('Brokeback Mountain')

This comparison shows that 'Election' was a dominant force across multiple award ceremonies, though different films won Best Picture at each event. The overlap in wins for Johnnie To and Zhou Xun highlights their broad industry recognition. While Hollywood favored 'Crash' and 'Brokeback Mountain', Hong Kong celebrated local narratives with global resonance.

Why It Matters

The 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards were significant for affirming the vitality of local storytelling amid growing competition from mainland Chinese cinema. By honoring films like 'Election' and 'Internal Affairs', the awards validated complex, character-driven narratives over commercial formulas.

Cultural Impact: 'Election' sparked public debate about organized crime and political influence in Hong Kong, elevating the film beyond entertainment.
Industry Recognition: Winning six awards solidified Johnnie To’s status as a leading auteur in Asian cinema.
International Exposure: 'Election' was screened at Cannes and other festivals, boosting Hong Kong’s global profile.
Talent Development: The awards highlighted emerging screenwriters like Au Kin-yee, encouraging new voices in the industry.
Historical Context: As the 25th ceremony, it marked a milestone in the awards’ history and Hong Kong’s cinematic legacy.
Box Office Influence: Films that won awards saw a 20–30% increase in ticket sales following the ceremony.

The 2006 event reinforced the Hong Kong Film Awards as a key barometer of artistic achievement and cultural relevance in Chinese-language cinema.