KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 21 — The glamour of Hong Kong cinema took centre stage last night as the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2025 officially kicked off at The Exchange TRX, drawing a glittering crowd of industry insiders, fans, and media.

The event shimmered with the presence of stars who represent both the future and the legacy of Hong Kong film.

Rising talents Locker Lam, Chan Chun Fung, Ken Law, filmmaker Robin Lee, and director James Hung all made appearances — but it was the arrival of one of Hong Kong’s legendary “Four Heavenly Kings,” Aaron Kwok, that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Fans flocked to the venue hours ahead of the event, clutching handmade signs and chanting Kwok’s name in hopes of catching his eye.

For many, it was more than just a celebrity sighting — it was a deeply personal moment, as many of these fans grew up watching Kwok on screen, such as Cassandra, 49, since she was 15.

“One word to describe the actor, I would say he is amazing.

“What I like most about him is that he is a really good actor, very handsome, and at the age of nearly 60, he can really dance well, and his voice and vocals are really good as well,” she said.

Chan, 45, echoed similar sentiments as being a lifelong fan who has seen nearly every film Kwok has appeared in and is most looking forward to My First of May during the festival.

Kwok is definitely part of the reason she wants to watch the film; however, “ it’s also because the story is related to humanity,” she said.

Bill Khong, 45, another long-time admirer of Hong Kong cinema, has been a fan for nearly 35 years, and unsurprisingly, Kwok remains his favorite, with Khong praising both the actor’s singing and acting talents.

My First of May sets stage for festival

As the ceremony adjourned, the event concluded with the screening of director Hung’s My First of May, starring Kwok himself, where it showcases the story of a former squash athlete, Tang Suk Yin (Aaron Kwok) sidelined by a career-ending injury, who must emerge from his despair to care for his teenage daughter, an SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) patient he has long ignored.

Sharing the inspiration behind the film, Hung explained that several of his friends are SMA patients who endure chronic illnesses and rare diseases.

“As a caretaker myself, I believe we have to embrace our imperfections and value the here and now,” he said.

“It’s about accepting the mistakes we’ve made with our families and truly spending quality time with them.”

He revealed that he began writing the script during the 2020 pandemic, a difficult period in his own life.

“I needed something to encourage myself to move forward and create something meaningful.”

Hung spent a lot of time developing the characters and their relationships, drawing heavily from the resilience and hopefulness of his friends living with SMA and other chronic conditions.

“Their aspirations and strength sparked something within me.

“I wanted to create a story that transcends cultural and language barriers — something everyone can understand and find encouragement in.

“That was the vision behind the script,” he added.

Kwok previously shared that he was excited My First of May was selected as the opening film for the Kuala Lumpur stop of the festival.

When asked by Malay Mail whether portraying the character Tang was a challenge, he responded that every role presents something new for him.

“Every movie is a new challenge,” he said.

“I don’t want to repeat characters from my past or future.

“I want to create new characters with fresh perspectives in my acting career — to bring a new style to each film and share that with my friends and audience.”

United in cinema, driven to endeavour

Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), this year’s gala continues under AFAA’s new motto “Together We Dare”, with Kuala Lumpur’s focus on “To Endeavour”.

The theme highlights filmmaking as a collective act of perseverance—whether by directors, actors, or action choreographers—all striving together to bring stories to the big screen.

Josie Lin, executive director of AFAA, stated, “We hope the Kuala Lumpur edition shows audiences the diverse faces of Hong Kong cinema.

“From opening films to forums and exhibitions, every element is connected by the spirit of ‘endeavour,’ presenting a full journey of creativity and perseverance.”

Following the success of the Bangkok edition, the gala has now arrived in Malaysia, featuring six acclaimed films — My First of May, Fight For Tomorrow, Good Game, Four Trails, True Love, For Once in My Life, and I’m Livin’ It.

It’s set to be a month of cultural exchange between Malaysia and Hong Kong—storytelling brought to life through the magic of cinema.