Bong Joon-ho's hit monster movie The Host was the big winner at the inaugural Asian Film Awards last night, scooping four out of ten prizes including best film and best actor for Song Kang-ho.

The film, which is South Korea's biggest-grossing local production, also picked up best cinematographer for Kim Hyung-goo and best visual effects for US-based The Orphanage. Currently number one at the China box office, The Host also recently opened through Magnolia Pictures in the US where it has grossed $440,000 and is still playing on 71 screens.

The other six awards at the ceremony were spread around six different films with China's Jia Zhangke picking up best director for his Venice Gold Lion-winning Still Life, while best actress went to Japan's Nakatini Miki for Memories Of Matsuko.

Best screenwriter went to Iran's Mani Haghighi for Men At Work while Hong Kong's Tim Yip won best production designer for The Banquet. Indonesia's Rahayu Supanggah was awarded best composer for Opera Jawa. Best editor went to Thailand's Lee Chatametikool for Syndromes And A Century.

The first ever pan-Asian film awards show, the AFAs added to the glamour of the star-studded opening night of Entertainment Expo which celebrates its third edition this year.

A host of international stars and filmmakers took on presenting duties at the awards, including Michelle Yeoh and Kore-eda Hirokazu, who presented the best actor award, Maggie Q and Rain, who presented best composer, and Luc Besson who presented Josephine Siao with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema.

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