Ann Hui's Ordinary Heroes, a drama about a love triangle and political activism, was the surprise winner of the best film prize at the annual Hong Kong Film Awards.

The biggest tally of prizes, however, went to Media Asia's action movie Purple Storm, which in a repeat of its performance at the Taipei Golden Horse awards, cleaned up in most of the technical categories. Storm collected awards for best cinematography, action choreography, score, editing, sound design and costume & make-up.

Johnnie To, who was nominated twice as best director for The Mission and for Running Out Of Time, won the category with Mission.

Another Media Asia title Tempting Heart gave Sylvia Chang the best screenplay award and Cat Kwan the best art direction prize.

Newcomers did not get a look-in in the acting categories as household names Andy Lau in Running Out Of Time and Helena Lo in Bullets Over Summer won the best actor and actress prizes.

Winner of the best song and best newcomer prizes was Cecilia Cheung in Golden Harvest's Fly Me To Polaris.