Actor Hong Geumbo Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the 16th Asia Film Awards

The 16th Asia Film Awards announced on the 2nd that actor Hong Jinbao (Sammo Hung) has been selected as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Established in 2013 through the collaboration of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Tokyo International Film Festival to promote the development of Asian cinema, the Asia Film Awards Academy (AFAA) has held the Asia Film Awards (AFA) annually. This year’s ceremony will take place on the 12th at the Hong Kong Palace Museum Jockey Club Auditorium.

Hong Geumbo [Photo by Asia Film Awards]

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to filmmakers who have contributed to the development and advancement of Asian cinema. This year, it is awarded to actor Hong Jinbao, who has been a box office guarantee across various fields of film for 50 years.

Hong Jinbao was a disciple of Yu Jim-yuen, known as the master of Peking Opera, during his childhood and was an original member of the Seven Little Fortunes alongside actor Jackie Chan (Cheng Long). Under the strict guidance of his master, he learned the four traditional Peking Opera skills: singing, recitation, acting, and martial arts.

Becoming a master of action comedy with films such as No Ho Chuen Gai (1978) and Sammo Hung’s The Prodigal Son (1979), he has appeared in over 170 films over 50 years, including Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980), Encounters of the Spooky Kind II - In Huk Yan (1982), Winners and Sinners (1982), Pedicab Driver (1981), The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1993), Ip Man (2009), and Ip Man 2 (2010).

He served as martial arts director for Paradox (2017), winning the Best Action Choreography Award again at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards. In 2020, he co-directed the omnibus film Septet: The Story of Hong Kong with director Ann Hui and five other Hong Kong directors, which was showcased as the opening film at the 25th Busan International Film Festival.

Hong Jinbao expressed, "I am happy and surprised to still be receiving awards. It is especially meaningful as it recognizes my entire career."

AFAA Director Will Fred Wong stated, "It is an honor to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to action film superstar Sammo Hung. We hope he continues to bring captivating characters and films to Asian cinema."