5th Asian Film Awards: Legendary Hong Kong Producer Raymond CHOW to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Official press release:

 "Hong Kong, 18 March 2011 - Film industry pioneer Raymond CHOW, who presided over the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema at both the Shaw Brothers studio since the 1950s and Golden Harvest from 1970 onwards, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming 5 th edition of the Asian Film Awards (AFA).  CHOW, who guided the careers of some of Asia’s – and the world’s – biggest superstars such as Bruce LEE and Jackie CHAN, redefined filmmaking with local productions such as and as well as international productions with andRaymond Chow (Golden Harvest magazine - Jan. 1978) The Asian Film Awards (AFA) is committed to honouring filmmakers with outstanding achievements in the field of Asian cinema.  The 5 th Asian Film Awards Presentation Ceremony will take place on 21 March 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.For more than 50 years until his retirement in 2007, CHOW was instrumental in making Asian cinema the global cinematic and box office force it is today.  He started at Shaw Brothers in 1958, first as Head of Publicity then later as Production Chief, leading to the studio’s rapid growth in the 1960s and beyond.  In 1970, CHOW founded Golden Harvest, the production, distribution and exhibition company which redefined local film productions.   As a producer, he worked with the then-unknown Bruce LEE, leading to classics such as as well as the Hong Kong-Hollywood co-production .  Jackie CHAN, another Golden Harvest veteran, saw some of his biggest box-office hits such as during his tenure with the studio.  Other key titles included the series, which established Jet LI as a major international star.  CHOW was given an Order of the British Empire in 1987, Japan’s Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, in 1996, and Hong Kong’s Gold Bauhinia Star in 1998."Fist of Fury" (1972)“It is unimaginable to think of Hong Kong motion pictures today without Raymond CHOW,” saidMr. Wilfred WONG SBS JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), the organiser of the AFA. “It is through him that our talents became international superstars, and it is through him that Hong Kong martial arts films became worldwide classics.  Throughout Asia and beyond, his imprint on cinema is indisputable.  We are truly honoured to be presenting Mr. Raymond CHOW with AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award."Hap Ki Do" a.k.a. "Lady Kung Fu" (1972)In addition to the 14 individual awards, this year’s AFA will present 4 special awards to recognise the outstanding efforts and careers of individual film professionals and companies in the Asian film industry.  The Awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema, Award for Promotion of Asian Cinema and Award for 2010’s Top-Grossing Film."