(I) ELIGIBILITY

2014 Hong Kong Films
Any Hong Kong film (see note 1) will be spontaneously considered as participating in ‘The 34th Hong Kong Film Awards’ when its first-time release is held in Hong Kong theatrically during the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for at least 5 shows in 7 consecutive days with paid admission, 60 minutes or more in duration, and by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format (see note 7).

Categories of Awards
1. BEST FILM
2. BEST DIRECTOR
3. BEST SCREENPLAY
4. BEST ACTOR
5. BEST ACTRESS
6. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
7. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
8. BEST NEW PERFORMER (see note 2)
9. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
10. BEST FILM EDITING
11. BEST ART DIRECTION
12. BEST COSTUME & MAKE UP DESIGN
13. BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY
14. BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE (see note 3)
15. BEST ORIGINAL FILM SONG (see note 4)
16. BEST SOUND DESIGN (see note 5)
17. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS (see note 6)
18. BEST NEW DIRECTOR (see Part III)
19. BEST FILM FROM MAINLAND AND TAIWAN (see Part II)

Notice:
Names of candidates and companies participating in election of any award and/or the “Best Film” award shall be presented in the front or end roller credit of the Hong Kong releasing version.

(II) Eligibility of “Best Film From Mainland and Taiwan”
Any Chinese film from Mainland or Taiwan (non-Hong Kong films) will be spontaneously considered as participating in election of the award “Best Film From Mainland and Taiwan” in The 34th Hong Kong Film Awards when its first-time theatrically release is held in Hong Kong during the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for at least 5 shows in 7 consecutive days with paid admission, 60 minutes or more in duration and by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format (see note 7).

Definition of “Film From Mainland and Taiwan”

Language and region of eligible films MUST meet the following conditions:
1. Chinese languages (including official and vernacular languages used in the Chinese-speaking regions of the world) should be used in at least 1/2 of the film (excluding dubbing). For film with no dialogue, it shall be decided by the subtitles of the original film.
2. At least one film company is legally registered in Mainland China or Taiwan. Its/their name(s) shall be presented as one of the presenters in the front or end roller credit.

(III) "BEST NEW DIRECTOR"
Eligibility
1. Nominees of the Best New Director must be Hong Kong residents and hold Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards. No age limit is applicable.
2. Film lead to the nominee’s eligibility shall be solely directed by the nominee. Including the aforementioned film, the nominee shall have solely directed 2 films only.
3. The film lead to the nominee’s eligibility must be a Hong Kong Film (see note 1). Its first-time releasing must be held in Hong Kong with paid admission for at least 5 shows in 7 consecutive days during 2014. The film duration must be 60 minutes or more and released by means of 35mm film or Digital Cinema format (see note 7).
4. The collaborated directing films and films had been released in Hong Kong or overseas without meeting with the requirements set out in no.3 under current section are not qualified for a new director’s nomination, and shall not be counted as one of the films which lead to the nomination of a new director.
5. Nominees may had been nominated for similar award but shall have never been rewarded with any similar award.

《NOTES》
Notice: Names of candidates and companies participating in election of any award and/or the “Best Film” award shall be presented in the front or end roller credit of the Hong Kong releasing version.

(Note 1)
A film will be defined as “Hong Kong Film” when it meets at least two of the following criteria:
1. At least one of the film directors must be a Hong Kong resident and holds a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
2. At least one of the film presenters is legally registered in Hong Kong SAR.
3. At least SIX persons from different working positions respectively, are Hong Kong residents and hold Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards. Only one Hong Kong resident will be counted for each working position. Working positions are counted base on the following 15 awards, including: Producer, Screenplay, Actor in a leading role, Actress in a leading role, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Action Choreography, Art Direction, Costume & Make Up Design, Film Editing, Original Film Score, Original Film Song, Sound Design and Visual Effects. (For example, if there are more than one Hong Kong residents participated in the creation of a “Original Film Song”, like composer, lyricist and singer, only one person will be counted.)

(Note 2)
Nominees of the Best New Performer award must have never participated in any film in a leading or supporting role before the awards year of nomination, but film(s) lead to his/her eligibility can be more than one during the same awards year. Nominees of the Best New Performer also be eligible for nomination either for the “Best Actor/ Actress” or “Best Supporting Actor/Actress” by the same film(s). If any dispute arises, the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right for final decision.

(Note 3)
Nominated pieces for the “Best Original Film Score” must be the original creation particularly for and first used in the film. Nominees will be required to provide music cue sheet or notification of works form issued by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong for originality verification. Any nominee fail to provide such documents, Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right to withdraw his/her eligibility.

(Note 4)
Nominated songs for the “Best Original Film Song” must be the original creation (including melody, lyrics) particularly for and first used in the film. Nominees will be required to provide music cue sheet or notification of works form issued by the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong for originality verification. Any nominee fail to provide such documents, Hong Kong Film Awards Association reserves the right to withdraw his/her eligibility.

(Note 5)
“Best Sound Design” is defined as an overall judgment of every audible procedure of the particular film, including dubbing / sync-sound recording, sound effects, music scoring, optical process and final mixing. Eligibility for this award shall be limited to the sound designer(s) directly involved and primarily responsible for the film’s sound design. The names of the sound designer(s), maximum 4 in total, shall be provided by the film presenter(s), producer(s) or director(s) according to individual contributions.

(Note 6)
“Best Visual Effects” is determined by the contribution the visual effects make to the overall production including computer special effects operated in production stage and scene shooting (i) explosions (ii) miniature and mechanical special effects. Primary individuals who directly involved with, principally responsible for, and have a major contribution to the visual effects are eligible for the nomination of the “Best Visual Effects” award. The names of the primary individuals shall be provided by film presenter(s), producer(s) or director(s) and not to exceed 4 in number.

(Note 7) In a 24- or 48-frame progressive scan Digital Cinema format with a minimum projector resolution of 2048 x 1080 pixels, source image format conforming to SMPTE 428-1-2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master – Image Characteristics; image compression (if used) conforming to ISO/IEC 15444-1 (JPEG 2000), and image and sound file formats suitable for exhibition in commercial Digital Cinema sites.

* If any dispute or special cases arises throughout the election, the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association shall take into consideration the circumstances and reserves the right for final decision.
* The English translated version is intended for reference only. If there is any discrepancy between the Chinese and English versions, the Chinese version shall govern.