Golden Rooster Chinese-Language Film Night highlights Aaron Kwok's 'IOU,' new Chinese films

The star-studded Golden Rooster Chinese-Language Film Night showcased a number of promising new films during the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov. 9, including actor Aaron Kwok's much-anticipated new film "IOU."

Aaron Kwok on the red carpet at the Golden Rooster Chinese-Language Film Night in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 9, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Organizing Committee]

Kwok, an honorary film recommender for the event, introduced "IOU." "I am a member of the Chinese-language film community. As an actor, the happiest thing is to receive a good script," he said. "This story moved me very much. It talks about 'money,' showing a very common thing in Chinese society. Through the film, we want to discuss with everyone how to return to the deepest part of ourselves and choose to be a kind person."

He admitted that the film had a modest budget, but during filming he and the child actors were fully immersed, and he "truly felt the magic of cinema."

Though the film industry is facing various challenges, the star encouraged filmmakers to believe that no matter what difficulties or changes they encounter, as long as they are committed to crafting good stories, films will still have the power to move people.

The film is directed by Zhang Zhonghua and reunites Kwok with Hong Kong producer Julia Chu, with whom he worked on "Port of Call" and "Where the Wind Blows." It was previously selected as a top-30 finalist at the 33rd Golden Rooster Film Project Market in 2020 and participated in the 20th Hong Kong International Film Festival's industry program.

Silence Leung serves as executive producer, and Wang Wei as producer. The collaboration between the mainland and Hong Kong also includes renowned costume designer Dora Ng and art director Bill Lui.

Leung, an experienced Hong Kong producer known for staging concerts for artists such as Faye Wong, Jacky Cheung and Nicholas Tse, said she is a big fan of cinema and that the story moved her deeply, prompting her to turn to film production. Speaking at a promotional event in Xiamen, she expressed her longstanding affection for Xi'an Film Studio. "We shot in Xi'an for a month and a half. It connects the mainland and Hong Kong in one film," Leung said. "We were very lucky to find Aaron Kwok to star in this film. His acting is excellent, and he was very willing to help bring audiences back to cinemas."

Wang, a young producer, said the story begins at the end of the year, when a father flees from huge debts, leaving his young children alone. A down-and-out debt collector comes to their door demanding repayment, but the children's innocence and compassion gradually transform him, leading to an unexpected choice on Chinese New Year's Eve.

The film, which combines dark humor with realistic warmth, was also selected for the Critics' Picks competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the main competition of the Silk Road International Film Festival. It is expected to be released in Chinese cinemas by the end of the year.

Representatives from several new Chinese films promote their projects at the Golden Rooster Chinese-Language Film Night in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 9, 2026. [Photo courtesy of the 2026 China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival Organizing Committee]

The 2026 Golden Rooster Chinese-Language Film Exhibition spotlighted new works from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, as well as overseas, screening a total of 44 Chinese-language films. The Chinese-Language Film Night saw cast and crew from movies including "Bird of Paradise," "Dead Tide," "Wakesurf Lovers" and "Someone Like Me" walk the red carpet. The event serves as both a platform for showcasing new works and a gathering for filmmakers to expand the influence of Chinese-language cinema.