What Is 23th Hong Kong Film Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony was held on April 4, 2004, honoring the best films of 2003. It took place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, with Peter Chan’s *Infernal Affairs II* receiving the most nominations.

Key Facts

Ceremony date: April 4, 2004
Hosted at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre
*Infernal Affairs II* led with 11 nominations
Best Film award won by *Dogs in the Sun*
Tony Leung Chiu-wai won Best Actor for *Infernal Affairs II*

Overview

The 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards celebrated excellence in cinematic achievement for films released in 2003. Held on April 4, 2004, the ceremony honored a diverse range of talent across acting, directing, and technical categories.

This year’s event highlighted the continued dominance of crime dramas and character-driven narratives in Hong Kong cinema. The awards reflected both commercial success and critical acclaim, with several major productions receiving multiple nominations.

Infernal Affairs II received 11 nominations, the most of any film that year, including Best Film and Best Actor.
The ceremony took place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, a traditional venue for the event.
Dogs in the Sun, directed by Johnny To, won the prestigious Best Film award despite fewer nominations.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai won Best Actor for his role in *Infernal Affairs II*, continuing his award-winning streak.
Silvia Chang received Best Actress for her performance in *2046*, Wong Kar-wai’s visually striking sci-fi romance.

How It Works

The Hong Kong Film Awards operate through a multi-tiered voting system involving industry professionals and academy members. Eligibility is based on release dates and regional production criteria.

Eligibility Period: Films must have been released between January 1 and December 31, 2003, in Hong Kong theatres.
Voting Body: Over 1,300 members of the Hong Kong Film Awards Academy participate in nominations and final voting.
Nomination Process: Each category is shortlisted by a committee of 30–50 experts across different film disciplines.
Final Balloting: Winners are determined by a two-round voting system to ensure broad consensus.
Categories: There are 19 competitive categories, including Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress, and technical awards.
International Films: Only Hong Kong-produced films qualify, though co-productions are eligible if led by Hong Kong creatives.

Comparison at a Glance

The 23rd edition stood out due to strong performances by established directors and actors. Here's how it compared to recent editions:

Award Year	Ceremony Date	Best Film Winner	Top-Nominated Film	Best Actor Winner
21st (2002)	April 21, 2002	Cops and Robbers	Cops and Robbers – 9 noms	Tony Leung Chiu-wai
22nd (2003)	April 6, 2003	Golden Chicken 2	Infernal Affairs – 12 noms	Tony Leung Chiu-wai
23rd (2004)	April 4, 2004	Dogs in the Sun	Infernal Affairs II – 11 noms	Tony Leung Chiu-wai
24th (2005)	March 27, 2005	Kung Fu Hustle	Election – 8 noms	Anthony Wong
25th (2006)	November 5, 2006	Election	Election – 11 noms	Sun Honglei

The 23rd awards occurred during a transitional period for Hong Kong cinema, balancing legacy franchises like *Infernal Affairs* with auteur-driven projects. While *Infernal Affairs II* led in nominations, the surprise win for *Dogs in the Sun* signaled shifting tastes among voters.

Why It Matters

The 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards underscored the resilience of local filmmaking amid increasing mainland Chinese influence. These awards remain a benchmark for artistic quality and cultural relevance in the region.

The win for Dogs in the Sun highlighted Johnny To’s growing reputation as a master of genre cinema.
Tony Leung’s third Best Actor win solidified his status as a leading figure in Asian cinema.
The ceremony featured a tribute to Ann Hui, recognizing her decades-long contribution to Hong Kong film.
Technical awards emphasized the rising quality of Hong Kong’s cinematography and sound design.
International attention from outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter increased global visibility.
The event drew over 800 industry guests, reinforcing its role as a major cultural gathering.

As Hong Kong cinema evolved, the 23rd awards captured a moment of both continuity and change, honoring past achievements while spotlighting emerging trends.