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The 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival kicked off yesterday with a sparkling red carpet event.

"Aberdeen" and "The Midnight After", two hotly tipped Hong Kong productions, were chosen as the openers this year.

"Aberdeen," a drama about a Hong Kong family, reunites director Pang Ho-Cheung with his favorite leading lady, Miriam Yeung - who worked with him on his hit films "Love in the Puff" and sequel "Love in the Buff."

Despite dazzling on the red carpet, the star of "Aberdeen" Louis Koo says getting securing a date for the event is not without its challenges. "The thing I worry about the most tonight is that, I invited my 'daughter' to go with me to the after party tonight. She said she needs to think about it. She has school tomorrow. I said, 'Just say yes.' "

His co-star, Gigi Leung, has something else to celebrate. Leung is turning 37 today and says that she hopes for a simple celebration. She said, "I hope at midnight, I can spend (my birthday) with my husband. Either he joins us, or I leave earlier. We can celebrate together."

With 300 films, from 56 countries, this year's lineup promises to be as eclectic as ever, with a focus on local cinema.

The festival runs until April 7th and will close with Dante Lam's action thriller "That Demon Within".