Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation was the big winner at the Asian Film Awards last night scooping best film, best director, best screenwriter and best editor.

The Iranian drama, which was awarded best foreign-language film at this year’s Academy Awards, was written and directed by Farhadi, while Hayedeh Safiyari took best editor honours. 

Best actress went to Hong Kong veteran actress Deanie Ip [pictured] for her role in Ann Hui’s A Simple Life, echoing her win at last year’s Venice film festival. Hui was the recipient this year of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Donny Damara beat out a strong category to take best actor for his role as a transvestite prostitute in Indonesian drama Lovely Man.

Taiwan’s Lawrence Ko took best supporting actor for his role in Jump Ashin!, while Shamaine Buencamino won best actress for award-winning Filipino drama Nino. Best newcomer went to Ni Ni for her role in Zhang Yimou’s Flowers Of War.  

Peter Ho-sun Chan’s Wu Xia triumphed in the technical categories scooping best production design, best composer and best cinematographer. Tsui Hark’s Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate won best visual effects and best costume design.

The People’s Choice Awards went to Any Lau, Ip’s co-star in A Simple Life, who was voted Favourite Actor, while Eugene Domingo from the Philippines was voted Favourite Actress for her role in Woman In A Septic Tank.

Among previously announced awards, Indonesian filmmaker Edwin took the Edward Yang New Talent Award, while the 2011 Top Grossing Asian Film Award went to Let The Bullets Fly.

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