Golden Rooster Awards 2026 Nominations Unveiled: Shu Qi's Directorial Debut Earns Dual Nods
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The official nominations for the 39th Golden Rooster Awards were revealed on October 19, 2026, setting the stage for one of China's most prestigious film honors. Veteran actress Shu Qi made headlines by securing dual nominations for her directorial debut "Girl," competing in both Best New Director and Best Low-Budget Story Film categories. In the Best Actor race, legendary performer Tony Leung will compete against younger talents including Wu Lei and Tan Jianci, while the highly anticipated war drama "Welcome to Dragon Restaurant" was notably excluded from all categories despite its critical acclaim and recent Oscar submission.
Key Points
- The 39th Golden Rooster Awards ceremony is scheduled for November 6-10, 2026, in Xiamen, Fujian Province .
- Shu Qi's "Girl" has already gained international recognition, premiering in the main competition at the Venice Film Festival and winning Best Director at the 30th Busan International Film Festival .
- The film earned Shu Qi the Newcomer Director Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards and received ten nominations at the Golden Horse Awards .
- Best Actor nominees include Tony Leung for "Chasing the Wind and Shadows," Wu Lei for "When Stars Shine," Tan Jianci for "Deafening," Jiang Qiming for "The Aviator," and Jiang Long for "10 Suicide Squad" .
- Best Actress nominees are Gao Ye for "Nanjing Photo Studio," Song Jia for "The Volunteer Army: Blood and Peace," Zhang Zifeng for "Chasing the Wind and Shadows," Chen Lijun for "Blades of the Great Desert," and Li Sitong for "Letter to Grandmother" .
Why It Matters
Shu Qi's successful transition from acclaimed actress to recognized director marks a significant milestone in her three-decade career, demonstrating the growing influence of performers-turned-directors in the Chinese film industry. The complete absence of "Welcome to Dragon Restaurant"—which earned an impressive 8.7 rating and was selected to compete for the 99th Academy Award for Best International Feature Film—highlights the strict eligibility requirements that even critically acclaimed works must navigate, potentially positioning it as a frontrunner for next year's awards season .
Shu Qi's successful transition from acclaimed actress to recognized director marks a significant milestone in her three-decade career, demonstrating the growing influence of performers-turned-directors in the Chinese film industry. The complete absence of "Welcome to Dragon Restaurant"—which earned an impressive 8.7 rating and was selected to compete for the 99th Academy Award for Best International Feature Film—highlights the strict eligibility requirements that even critically acclaimed works must navigate, potentially positioning it as a frontrunner for next year's awards season .