Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Chow celebrates with his Best Film award for his role in "Kung Fu Hustle" at the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards in Hong Kong March 27, 2005. (Reuters)

Actor and director Stephen Chow, who's aiming for greater global fame, was the biggest winner with his box office hit "Kung Fu Hustle."

Chow's action comedy was named best film at Sunday's ceremony -- one of the premier events for the Chinese-language film industry. "Kung Fu Hustle," the biggest grossing local film in Hong Kong history, won five other awards, including best action choreography for Yuen Wo-ping of "The Matrix" fame.

Chow paid tribute to the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, who was named "Chinese Film's Bright Star of the Century" at the ceremony that marked the first 100 years of Chinese filmmaking.

"He changed the way we looked at kung fu, changed the way we look at movies," said Chow, who collaborated with Columbia Pictures to make "Kung Fu Hustle." The movie is about gangsters who try to take over a neighborhood populated by kung fu masters.

Chow's last big hit, "Shaolin Soccer," was a blockbuster in Asia in 2001, but it did poorly in the United States, where it was distributed by Miramax Films. He has said in media interviews that one of his biggest goals is to have a hit outside the region.

Jackie Chan was nominated for best actor for his role in "New Police Story" but he lost out to Tony Leung, who played a man who had an affair with a married woman in "2046." Leung's co-star, Zhang Ziyi, was named best actress.

Chan, the world's most famous ethnic Chinese actor, had to settle for a professional spirit award, which he said he appreciated because it honored his professionalism and conduct, not just his artistic achievements.

"Outside of movies, this involves charity work, an actor's professional conduct, being punctual, respecting elders. These are very important things," he told reporters. "This is harder to win than a Hong Kong Film Award."

He also gave his son, Jaycee Chan -- a losing nominee for best newcomer -- some advice, urging him to pay his dues and not to "arrive late and leave early."

Yuen Wah won the best supporting acting award for his performance as a secret kung fu master posing as a landlord in the Hollywood-financed "Kung Fu Hustle."

Chinese actress Bai Ling, who has starred in Hollywood movies such as "Anna and the King," was named best supporting actress for the horror film "Dumplings."

The best directing and script prizes went to Derek Yee's suspense thriller "One Nite in Mongkok," the tale of a mainland Chinese assassin and prostitute who cross paths in Hong Kong.

"Kung Fu Hustle" also won for best sound effects, visual effects and editing.

"2046" was equally impressive in the technical categories, collecting prizes for best art direction, best costume design and makeup, best cinematography and best original score.

The best Asian film prize went to South Korea's "Old Boy."

The presenters were drawn from across Greater China, including mainland actress Liu Xiaoqing, directors Feng Xiaogang and Tian Zhuangzhuang, Taiwan model Lin Chi-ling and Hong Kong's Andy Lau, who presented an award with Cannes best actress Maggie Cheung.

(Agencies)

gangster: a criminal who is a member of gang（歹徒，土匪）

prostitute: a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money（妓女）