38th Hundred Flowers Awards Return to Beijing After 64 Years

The nomination list for the 38th Popular Film Hundred Flowers Awards has been officially released, marking a historic homecoming for one of China’s most prestigious film honors. The awards ceremony and its accompanying events will take place from August 7 to 10 in Beijing — the very city where the first ceremony was held 64 years ago in 1962, as reported by People’s Daily.

A Historic Return to the Capital

The 38th edition carries special significance under its theme “Baihua Yan Gui, Wanxiang Jinghua” (Hundred Flowers Swallows Return, Myriad Scenes of Jinghua), evoking the image of swallows returning to their nest. This marks the first time the awards have been held in Beijing since the inaugural ceremony in 1962, when Premier Zhou Enlai personally initiated the establishment of what would become China’s only film award determined entirely by audience voting.

The name “Hundred Flowers” itself derives from the famous Mao-era slogan “Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend” (百花齐放，百家争鸣), reflecting the awards’ original vision of celebrating diverse cinematic voices. The first edition in 1962 received 117,939 votes through Popular Cinema (《大众电影》) magazine — a remarkable turnout for the era.

Organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, and the China Film Association, this year’s event promises a packed schedule including an opening ceremony, film symphony concert, Baihua Forum, nominee recognition ceremony, and the main awards gala on August 10, according to Xinhua News Agency. The city will also host a “Baihua Film Exhibition” with screenings at cinemas and outdoor venues across Beijing, creating a city-wide celebration of cinema.

Six Films Vie for Best Picture

The Best Picture category features a diverse lineup of six films spanning multiple genres: family drama The Little Me (《小小的我》), sports comedy Pegasus 3 (《飞驰人生3》), animated fantasy Ne Zha: The Devil’s Trouble in the Sea (《哪吒之魔童闹海》), action thriller Catching the Wind, Chasing the Shadow (《捕风追影》), political drama Silent Awakening (《惊蛰无声》), and historical epic The Caravan: Wind Rises in the Desert (《镖人：风起大漠》).

Star-Studded Nominee Roster

The acting categories are packed with both legendary figures and rising stars. In the Best Actor category, nominees include international icon Jackie Chan (age 72) for his role in Catching the Wind, Chasing the Shadow, alongside popular young actor Yi Yangqianxi for The Little Me, veteran Wang Baoqiang for Detective Chinatown 1900, Zhu Yilong for The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, Liu Haoran for Nanjing Photo Studio, and Hong Kong legend Tony Leung Ka-fai for Catching the Wind, Chasing the Shadow.

The Best Actress race is equally competitive, featuring Song Jia (nominated for both Wonderful Life and Silent Awakening), Zhang Zifeng (also with dual nominations for The Volunteers and Catching the Wind, Chasing the Shadow), Ma Li for Catch the Doll, Michelle Wai for The Last Dance, Zhuang Dafei for The Lychee of Chang’an, and Gao Ye for Nanjing Photo Studio.

In the directing category, veteran Zhang Yimou (age 76) continues his remarkable career with a Best Director nomination for Silent Awakening, competing against martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping for The Caravan: Wind Rises in the Desert, as well as Dapeng, Shen Ao, Yang Lina, and Shao Yihui. The supporting categories feature notable names including Liu Shishi, Huang Jingyu, and K-pop idol-turned-actor Moon Jun-hwi (Jun of SEVENTEEN).

Yang Mi Makes History

Perhaps the most notable achievement in this year’s nominations belongs to actress Yang Mi, who has become the first actor in the 64-year history of the Hundred Flowers Awards to receive a dual nomination in the same category. She is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for two distinct roles — Zheng Yuting in The长安的荔枝 (The Lychee of Chang’an) and Baifan in Silent Awakening, as reported by Sina Entertainment. This unprecedented recognition highlights Yang Mi’s versatility and enduring appeal in Chinese cinema.

Industry Evolution: AIGC and Short Dramas

This year’s awards also reflect the evolving landscape of Chinese entertainment. The program includes an AIGC (AI-Generated Content) excellence unit and a short drama honor unit, signaling the industry’s adaptation to new technologies and changing consumption patterns. A partnership with Douyin (TikTok China) for a Future Director Support Program further underscores the growing influence of short-video platforms on film culture.

Looking Ahead

The awards will be determined by public voting, continuing the Hundred Flowers tradition as the only film award in China decided entirely by audience ballots. With the ceremony set for August 10, the coming weeks will see campaigns and discussions across Chinese social media as fans rally behind their favorite films and performers.

The return to Beijing, combined with the historic dual nomination and the introduction of new categories, makes the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards a landmark edition — one that honors the past while embracing the future of Chinese cinema. As the awards prepare to welcome audiences back to their birthplace, all eyes will be on which films and artists capture the public’s imagination when the winners are revealed on August 10.