The Hong Kong film industry is grappling with declining participation in its most prestigious event, the Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA), set against a backdrop of public controversy over several notable film omissions. As the 44th annual awards ceremony draws near, scheduled for April 19 at the renowned Hong Kong Cultural Centre, organizers have confirmed a significant slump in professional voting engagement.
On a day reserved for announcing the nominees for the upcoming awards, HKFA Chairman Derek Yee delivered striking figures regarding the first-round ballot process. While the association boasts an expanded membership of 17 organizations and 2,064 eligible voters, only 989 professional members cast valid ballots. This turnout translates to just 47.92%, marking a substantial drop of roughly 17% compared to the previous year.
Controversy Clouds Nomination Process
The diminished voter participation comes concurrent with widespread public discussion regarding the apparent exclusion of four prominent 2023 releases: The Unforgivable Sin (不赦之罪), Today Should Be Very Happy (今天應該很高興), En Route to the Hospital (送院途中), and Earth Mother (地母). Despite meeting standard eligibility requirements and having theatrical releases in Hong Kong, none of these films progressed to the initial shortlisting stage, sparking intense speculation of a de facto disqualification.
When directly addressing the connection between the low turnout and the films’ absence, Chairman Yee stated that the notion of an official disqualification was “a rumor.” He emphasized that films screened in Hong Kong are typically automatically entered into consideration.
Facing intense scrutiny from the media and the public, Yee acknowledged the difficulty in providing a satisfactory explanation for the films’ exclusion. “For the past month, I have been contemplating how to respond, but I could not devise a statement that would satisfy all parties,” Yee told reporters. “Therefore, I have decided not to comment publicly.”
A Philosophical Stance on Disputations
Instead of offering a conventional explanation, Yee chose to employ a profound, philosophical statement to address the heated controversy. He cited a line from the Diamond Sutra (金剛經), a revered Buddhist text: “If one perceives all phenomena as non-phenomena, then one perceives the Tathagata [Buddha-Nature].”
This specific quote, when interpreted through Buddhist doctrine, suggests that genuine insight is achieved by recognizing that all worldly appearances (phenomena) are temporary, illusory products of compounded causes and conditions (non-phenomena). By refraining from attachment to external forms, one can discern the unchanging, inherent truth, or Buddhahood (the Tathagata).
Yee concluded his remarks by wishing attendees “a happy Lunar New Year and success in all endeavors,” urging them to reflect deeply on the cited passage, suggesting the dispute itself is symptomatic of attachment to transitory forms (the nominations).
The Path Forward for the HKFA
The challenge now facing the HKFA board is twofold: recovering the trust of the industry stakeholders and encouraging greater engagement in the voting process. While the association’s expansion suggests a growing network, the steep decline in active voting participation indicates underlying issues, which may go beyond the current nomination dispute. For an organization dedicated to celebrating cinematic excellence, a robust and representative voting process is crucial to maintaining the integrity and global standing of the awards. Industry experts are calling for greater transparency in the initial selection criteria to prevent similar controversies from overshadowing the awards in future years.
