Wai Ka-fai

Wai Ka-fai (born 21 September 1962) is a Hong Kong filmmaker. Best known for his frequent collaborations with Johnnie To, he co-formed Milkyway Image in 1996, which is now one of the most successful independent film studios in Hong Kong.

The films that Wai and To have made together as directors and producers include Needing You..., Fat Choi Spirit, Love on a Diet, Fulltime Killer, Turn Left, Turn Right, Running on Karma, and Mad Detective. His solo directorial efforts include Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, Written By and Detective vs Sleuths, which the latter helped him won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director.

Two of his films were released in the US theatrically: Fulltime Killer and Mad Detective.

Filmography

Television series

Feature film

YearFilmCredit(s) NotesDirectorScreenwriter Producer 1985 Young Cops 1987 Easy Money 1988 It's No Heaven 1990 The Story of My Son 1992 Gun n' Rose 1995 Peace Hotel Feature directorial debutAlso co-wrote the story with Donald Chow 1997 Too Many Ways to Be No. 1 WonGolden Bauhinia Awards for Best ScreenplayWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of Merit The Odd One Dies Intruder 1998 The Longest Nite Expect the Unexpected A Hero Never Dies 1999 Where a Good Man Goes Also as the story writer 2000 Needing You... Co-directed and produced with Johnnie ToNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best DirectorNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best Film Help!!! Co-directed and produced with Johnnie To 2001 Wu yen Love on a Diet Co-directed and produced with Johnnie ToNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best DirectorNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best Film Fulltime Killer Co-directed and produced with Johnnie To 2002 Fat Choi Spirit Co-directed and produced with Johnnie ToWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of Merit My Left Eye Sees Ghosts Co-directed and produced with Johnnie To 2003 Love for All Seasons Turn Left, Turn Right Running on Karma Co-directed and produced with Johnnie ToWonHong Kong Film Award for Best FilmWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of MeritNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best DirectorNominatedGolden Bauhinia Award for Best DirectorNominatedGolden Bauhinia Award for Best FilmNominatedChinese Film Media Award for Best Director (Hong Kong/Taiwan region)NominatedChinese Film Media Award for Best Film (Hong Kong/Taiwan region) 2004 Fantasia 2005 Himalaya Singh 2006 The Shopaholics 2007 Mad Detective Co-directed and produced with Johnnie ToWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of MeritWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for ScreenplayWonHong Kong Film Award for Best ScreenplayNominatedHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best DirectorNominatedHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best FilmNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best DirectorNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best FilmNominatedGolden Lion 2009 Vengeance NominatedPalme d'Or Written By WonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of MeritWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best ScreenplayNominatedAsian Film Award for Best ScreenplayNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best Screenplay 2011 Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2012 Romancing in Thin Air WonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of Merit Drug War WonSan Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language FilmWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of MeritWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best FilmWonChinese Film Media Award for Best Film (China region)NominatedGolden Horse Award for Best Feature Film 2013 Blind Detective 2019 Chasing Dream 2022 Detective vs Sleuths WonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Film of MeritWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best ScreenplayWonHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best DirectorWonHong Kong Film Award for Best ScreenplayWonHong Kong Film Award for Best DirectorNominatedHong Kong Film Critics Society Award for Best FilmNominatedHong Kong Film Award for Best Film

Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryFilmResult 2001 20th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Needing You... Best Film 2002 21st Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Love on a Diet Best Film 2004 23rd Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Running on Karma Best Film Best Screenplay 2008 27th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Mad Detective Best Film Best Screenplay 2010 29th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Screenplay Written By 2023 41st Hong Kong Film Awards Best Director Detective vs Sleuths Best Film Best Screenplay