The Hong Kong Film Awards Association has announced the nominations for the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards.

"Bodyguards and Assassins", an action thriller about a group of kung-fu masters protecting Chinese revolutionary pioneer Sun Yat-Sen, garnered 19 nominations, including best movie, best director and best leading actor.

It's the first film that was nominated in 19 categories. The previous record was 13.

The other top contenders are the historical epic "Red Cliff II" and the police thriller "Overheard" with 13 and 6 nominations respectively.

The three movies are competing for best picture honors against Jackie Chan's "Shinjuku Incident" and "KJ: Music and Life", a documentary about Hong Kong music prodigy Wong Ka-Jeng.

The winners of the annual awards will be announced on April 18.