'Dead to Rights' takes top honors at 39th Golden Rooster Awards

War film "Dead to Rights" took home best feature at the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards on Nov. 10. Tony Leung Ka-fai and Gao Ye won best leading actor and actress at the closing ceremony of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province.

(From left to right) Li Xianzeng, vice chairman and general manager of China Film Group; director Shen Ao; and director Zhang Yimou, who presented the award, pose on stage with the best feature film award for "Dead to Rights" in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 10, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Organizing Committee]

"Dead to Rights" tells the true story of brave civilians who risked their lives to safeguard crucial photographic evidence of Japan's wartime atrocities. Set during the Nanjing Massacre, the film depicts how they defied the systematic cover-up efforts and staged propaganda campaigns by Japanese forces. Released last year to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the harrowing war film left audiences heartbroken.

Director Shen Ao said in his acceptance speech that he realized his past works often left audiences feeling pain and grief, but his future films would focus on making viewers feel satisfied, joyful and warm.

This year's cultural phenomenon "Dear You," a story about the Chaoshan diaspora, family ties and the emotional weight of qiaopi letters, received the jury special award. Lan Hongchun, Zheng Xuanxuan, Yang Leng and Zhu Liyun shared the best screenplay award for the film. Director Lan Hongchun thanked his partners, his parents and his hometown in the Chaoshan region, saying that the land had nourished him, given him the opportunity to make films, and inspired him with so many moving stories.

Zheng Dasheng won best director for his revolutionary film "Hideaway: The Dossiers," a story set during the 1942 Japanese occupation of Shanghai about underground Communist Party of China members protecting secret archives.

Best actor Tony Leung Ka-fai and best actress Gao Ye meet with the press backstage after receiving their awards at the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 10, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Tony Leung Ka-fai won best leading actor for his role in the action crime thriller "The Shadow's Edge," in which he co-starred with Jackie Chan. This marked his first Golden Rooster nomination and win after more than four decades in the industry. He described the feeling as wondrous and dreamlike, saying the award affirmed his performance and reminded him to keep acting well. Backstage, meeting with the media, Leung said he did not want to be called a star, explaining that he wanted to be an actor and that "star" is a title other people give you, while an actor can play many different roles, which enriches one's life.

Gao Ye, who won best leading actress for her role in "Dead to Rights," burst into tears on stage. She said this was what it felt like when a dream came true, and expressed gratitude for being born and raised in a peaceful land that gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams. She encouraged every dreamer to go after their goals, saying the road may be long, but those who keep walking will arrive.

Hoxur Salay won best supporting actor for his portrayal of Turdi Ahun, a renowned Uyghur folk musician, in "Wan Tongshu," while Lan Xiya won best supporting actress for her role as a young deaf woman in "Sound of Silence."

Wan Li received the best new director award for "Sound of Silence." Legendary martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping, 81, presented the award, marking a moment that was seen as passing the torch in Chinese cinema. Wan said he felt the warmth of the film industry and hoped to pass on his luck and that warmth.

The technical awards went to Dong Jinsong for best cinematography for "Resurrection," Wang Yanwei for best sound for "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," Wang Jing for best art direction for "Gezhi Town," Gao Xiaoyang for best music for "Wan Tongshu," and Huang Zenghongchen for best editing for "Take Off."

Other winners included "Nobody" for best animated film, "Shen Zhou 13" for best documentary/science and educational film, "Shanghai Wonton" for best medium- and low-cost feature film, "The Sound of Malan Flowers Blooming" for best children's film, "Gu Yanwu" for best traditional opera film, and the Norwegian drama "Sentimental Value," directed by Joachim Trier, for best foreign language film.

Winners and performers take the stage at the finale of the 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards ceremony in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov. 10, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Organizing Committee]

Jury president Yin Li said the jury upheld a philosophy of feeling the progress of the times, understanding audience needs and observing changes in art. He said this year's entries highlighted four "new" qualities: new forces, new expressions, new patterns and new cinematic languages.

The 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival ran from Nov. 6 to 10 in Xiamen, featuring nomination ceremonies, film forums, the Golden Rooster film project market and various public film events.

The 39th China Film Golden Rooster Awards was co-hosted by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the China Film Association and the Xiamen Municipal People's Government. This year's awards received 209 entries, covering a wide range of subjects including realistic themes and historical narratives.