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One of the top showcases for films from Hong Kong and the rest of China opened Monday, with the Asian Film Awards kicking off the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

The red carpet for the Fourth Annual Asian Film Awards featured ethnic Chinese entertainers including actors Wu Chun, Julian Cheung Chi Lam and Daniel Wu, and actresses Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Yan Ni, Vivian Hsu, Zhu Xuan and Angela Chow.

Once the ceremony was underway, Chinese filmmakers from all parts of the country fared well. Director Zhang Yimou –now as well known for his production of the 2008 Olympic Games’s opening ceremonies as films such as “Hero” and “Raise the Red Lantern” — received a Lifetime Achicvement Award. Lu Chuan won yet another award for his cinematic depiction of the Nanjing Massacre, “City of Life and Death” (known in Chinese as “Nanjing! Nanjing!”), this time recognizing him as best director. Wang Xueqi was named best actor for his role in the Hong Kong-China co-production “Bodyguards and Assassins.” Canadian-born Nicholas Tse won best supporting actor, also for “Bodyguards and Assassins.” Taiwan-born rock musician Luo Dayou received the award for best composer for Johnnie To’s film “Vengeance.” Cao Yu won best cinematographer, also for “City of Life and Death.” Hong Kong director John Woo was given special recognition as 2009′s top-grossing director, an important if not commercial distinction.

Although it always attempts to present a regional slate and allow filmmakers from throughout Asia, including India’s Bollywood, to participate

One surprise at this year’s festival is the return of actress Tang Wei. She appeared in Taiwan-born and Oscar-winning director Ang Lee’s 2007 film “Lust, Caution,” creating a stir for appearing totally nude in sex scenes with well-known Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Tang’s performance earned her a ban from working in China, including film, television and modeling, for two years. Ironically, Leung, who also appeared nude in the same scenes, went on to star in “Red Cliff” parts one and two, directed by John Woo, which were among the top-grossing films in China in 2008.

Tang is now returning to work, with her new film, “Crossing Hennessey,” referring to a main thoroughfare in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai and Causeway Bay districts, premiering at the festival.

“Coming to Hong Kong for this premiere, I can see (director) Ivy and (co-star) Andy On again. I’ve been very happy. Now I’m just excited to see the movie,” Tang told reporters at the festival

“I will be happy if everyone can see my work,” she said.

Homemade films — in this case, those made in Hong Kong — are getting their own spotlight at the festival. “Hong Kong female directors are in the spotlight, as writer-director Ivy Ho’s “Crossing Hennessy,” starring Tang Wei and Jacky Cheung, and Clara Law’s “Like a Dream,” starring Daniel Wu, will open the festival, along with 25-year-old Heiward Mak’s sophomore feature “Ex” as closing film. Pang Ho-cheung’s “Love in a Puff” and Dante Lam’s “Fire of Conscience” will also host gala premieres at the festival.

“Eleven more new and recent features and three short films from Hong Kong directors are showcased under the “Hong Kong Panorama” sidebar, including: “37” by director Dennis Chan and starring legendary Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing, and Gallants” (formerly titled “Fists of Dignity”) directed by Derek Kwok and starring a cast of 1970s Hong Kong Shaw Brothers kung fu actors. “La Comedie Humaine” directed by Chan Hing-kai and Janet Chun, and director Kenneth Bi’s “Girl$” will have world premieres at the fest. In conjunction with the focus on Hong Kong cinema, a symposium titled “Hong Kong Cinema – Beyond Co-production” will be held on March 25,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The 34th HKIFF will be held from March 21 to April 6, 2010. The local film industry also presents the Eighth Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, March 22-24.