Films vie for Golden Rooster glory
2026-10-20 11:48:00
Poster for the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards announced nominations in 20 categories in Beijing on Monday, with Dead to Rights and Blades of the Guardians leading the race with seven nominations each.
Dead to Rights, a box-office hit depicting how ordinary people became heroes during the Nanjing Massacre, and Blades of the Guardians, a martial arts film about swordsmen escorting a prominent scholar — who is also the imperial court's most-wanted fugitive — while evading military pursuit, emerged as the two front-runners.
Dear You, a sleeper hit exploring the struggles of Chaoshan immigrants in Southeast Asia, received six nominations, including best picture and best director.
Actor Huang Xiaoming has been named international communications ambassador of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards announced nominations in 20 categories in Beijing on Monday, with Dead to Rights and Blades of the Guardians leading the race with seven nominations each.
Dead to Rights, a box-office hit depicting how ordinary people became heroes during the Nanjing Massacre, and Blades of the Guardians, a martial arts film about swordsmen escorting a prominent scholar — who is also the imperial court's most-wanted fugitive — while evading military pursuit, emerged as the two front-runners.
Dear You, a sleeper hit exploring the struggles of Chaoshan immigrants in Southeast Asia, received six nominations, including best picture and best director.
A total of 209 films applied for this year's awards. Eligible entries were granted public screening permits by the China Film Administration between July 1 last year and June 30 this year.
The 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival will be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from Nov 6 to 10, with the awards ceremony scheduled for the closing day.
The festival will feature a range of activities, including screenings of outstanding Chinese and international films, themed forums and a special promotional event for Taiwan films.
Actor Tim Huang has been named cross-Strait film promotion ambassador for the festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Actor Huang Xiaoming, the festival's international communications ambassador, said he felt fortunate to be a filmmaker in an era of growing national prosperity.
Actor Huang Xiaoming, the festival's international communications ambassador, said he felt fortunate to be a filmmaker in an era of growing national prosperity.
During his trips to Europe and Southeast Asia, Huang said he had found that international audiences and industry peers were increasingly interested in Chinese films and television programs — more than most people might imagine.
He added that people he met overseas had expressed their appreciation for Chinese culture and their desire for more opportunities to visit the country and engage in cultural exchanges with Chinese counterparts.
Huang expressed hope that the festival would invite more foreign filmmakers, give them more opportunities to showcase their cultures, and help promote Chinese works abroad.