MUMBAI: Star World will be the regional broadcaster for the 3rd Asian Film Awards Presentation Ceremony. Honoring the best filmmakers and actors in Asian cinema, the event will air on Star World on 4 April, 2009 at 2 pm.

The Star network will broadcast the ceremony across Southeast Asia, China, India, the Middle East and North America. Held at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 3rd Asian Film Awards attracts the industry’s biggest stars and most creative talents. Topping the list of nominees this year is South Korea’s The Good, the Bad, the Weird, which scored eight nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor (Song Kang-ho), Best Director (Kim Jee-woon) and two Best Supporting Actor nods for Lee Byung-hun and Jung Woo-sung.

Other contenders in the Best Film category include Japan’s Ponyo on the Cliff and China’s Forever Enthralled. Veteran filmmaker John Woo is also in the running in the Best Director category for his epic Red Cliff, which also earned nods for Best Film and Best Visual Effects.

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh will serve as Jury President for the 3rd Asian Film Awards, overseeing the 13-panel jury of film professionals from around the world.

Other invited celebrities include Oscar-winning actor William Hurt, Taiwanese actress Brigitte Lin and acclaimed producer-director Tsui Hark who will be honored with an Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema. Director Oliver Stone, a three-time Oscar winner, will also be in attendance to present the Asian Film Award for Best Director.