Chinese dramas and films

The 21st Changchun Film Festival, which ran from August 23, came to a close on August 28 in China. The competition featured 88 films, with 69 screened out of competition and 16 making the shortlist.

The Changchun Film Festival is one of China's oldest and most prestigious film festivals. Its top prize, the Golden Deer Awards, ranks among the most significant honors in Chinese cinema.

Founded in 1992 and held annually since 2021, the festival is dedicated to the development and support of Chinese filmmaking, with a particular focus on emerging talent. Its enduring motto is: "New Era, New Cradle, New Forces."

This year, three artists received their first major festival award.

Tan Jianci took home the Golden Deer for Best Actor for his performance in «Sound of Silence» (震耳欲聋). The film follows a hearing lawyer (CODA) investigating a crime within the deaf community. Remarkably, for the 35-year-old star who made his debut at 16, this is his first-ever film festival award. Prior to this, Tan Jianci had received Weibo Awards for his work in television series. On stage, he admitted to being deeply moved, as it was his first time receiving such a significant honor.

Li Sitong also claimed her first acting award, winning Best Actress for her role in «Love Letter to Grandma» (Dear you, 给阿嬷的情书). Li Sitong is not a professional actress; the film began as an indie project funded through grassroots contributions and unexpectedly became a box-office hit in China. Chinese media noted that it has been a long time since the festival saw a debutante take home the top acting prize.

Jiang Qiming also secured his first major film award, winning Best Actor for his leading role in «Take Off» (飞行家). The actor, who had previously won theater awards and a television Magnolia Award, plays an ordinary worker who dreams of flying and decides to build his own aircraft. Jiang Qiming was unable to attend this year's ceremony due to scheduling conflicts, and the award was accepted on his behalf by the film's director.

2026 Golden Deer Awards – Full Winners List

Best Picture

«Gezhi Town» (得闲谨制, De Xian Jin Zhi)
Starring Xiao Zhan, Zhou Yiran, Peng Yuchang, Ren Chengwei, Liao Fan and others.

Set in 1943, a group of Japanese soldiers stumbles into a small town. With nowhere to run, the cornered locals decide to fight back.

Jury Grand Prize

«Love Letter to Grandma» (给阿嬷的情书, Dear You)
Starring Li Sitong, Wang Yan Tong, Wu Shao Qin and others.

What begins as a detective story soon evolves into a moving family saga set against the backdrop of the "Nanyang" migration – the mass exodus of Chinese to Southeast Asia in the 20th century. Xiaowei, grandson of the protagonist, is drowning in debt. Hearing that his grandfather Zheng Musheng, who went abroad years ago, became wealthy in Thailand and owns a chain of schools, Xiaowei secretly sets out to find him. He discovers that his grandfather actually died shortly after leaving, many years ago. Yet all this time, his grandmother back in China kept receiving letters and money signed in his name. The real sender turns out to be an unknown woman named Xie Nanzhi from Bangkok, who took it upon herself to care for her deceased friend's family to shield his wife from grief.

Best Director

Yuen Woo Ping – «Blades of the Guardians» (镖人：风起大漠)

Best Screenplay

Yu Shui and Liu Jia – animated film «Nobody» (浪浪山小妖怪, Langlang Mountain Little Monster)
Hu Xiaoxi and Zhang Disha – «When the Stars Shine» (群星闪耀时)

Best Actor

Jiang Qiming – «Take Off» (飞行家)
Tan Jianci – «Sound of Silence» (震耳欲聋)

Best Actress

Li Sitong – «Love Letter to Grandma» (给阿嬷的情书, Dear You)

Best Cinematography

Gao Weizhe – «Dongji Island» (东极岛)

Best Music

Guo Sida – «Gezhi Town» (得闲谨制, De Xian Jin Zhi)

Best Editing

Yang Hongyu and Li Weiwen – «Dongji Island» (东极岛)

Best First Work

Jia Xiaoyu – «Sound of Silence» (震耳欲聋)