Asian Film Awards 2012: 'A Separation,' Deanie Ip Among Winners [PHOTOS]

The 2012 Asian Film Awards were handed out in Hong Kong Monday night, and taking home top prize for Best Film was the Iranian drama, A Separation, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film last month.

Asghar Farhadi (who was absent from the ceremony) also won the award for Best Director and Best Screenwriter, along with his editor Hayedeh Safiyari.

As an Iranian . . . I'm really glad that Iran has been mentioned all around the world for its culture and its film, not sanctions and war-like words, Safiyari said in her acceptance speech.

Legendary Hong Kong actress Deanie Ip won this year's Best Actress award for her role in A Simple Life, the drama also starring Andy Lau. Ip won the same award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival last summer and at the 48th Golden Horse Awards in November.

Christian Bale's drama The Flowers of War, which was nominated in six categories, won only one prize, Best Newcomer for Chinese actress Ni Ni.

Now in its sixth year, the Asian Film Awards honors the best in Asian cinema, with prizes including Best Costume Designer, Best Production Design, Best Composer and the usual major acting, directing and screenwriting categories.

Click through for photos from the 2012 Asian Film Awards. For a full list of winners, visit the AFA website.