Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung has a simple goal for his debut directorial feature film, Hungry Ghost Ritual.

Speaking at a press conference at Hotel InterContinental, Cheung, 46, says: "I was thinking of how best to scare audiences. At the very least, I hope they get a thrill from it."

He also stars in it as the estranged son of a Cantonese opera troupe owner who has to deal with various strange incidents. The film opens here on July 10.

On wearing two hats, he says: "If I have another chance to direct again, I would not choose to act at the same time. I would want to focus on being a director."

Also present at the press conference was actress Carrie Ng, 50, who plays Cheung's mother in flashback.

She says with a laugh that Cheung was very fierce on set. "He has very high expectations of the cast as he is also an actor himself."

Still, he has inspired her to try her hand at directing as well and her murder thriller is slated for release next year.

The greatest gain for her from Hungry Ghost Ritual is "realising how an actor turns into a good director".