The closing ceremony of the 20th China Changchun Film Festival (CCFF) was held in the provincial capital of northeast China's Jilin Province on Thursday evening, with numerous renowned filmmakers and actors in attendance to witness the presentation of the "Golden Deer Awards."
The event is hosted by the China Media Group (CMG) and the local government of Jilin. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Chinese filmmaking and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Changchun Film Studio, one of China's largest film producers.
This year's Golden Deer Awards attracted 150 entries, of which 18 were shortlisted for 10 award categories including the Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
The award for best director went to Shen Ao, director of the hit film "Dead to Rights," a Chinese historical film depicting the horrific events of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. "Dead to Rights" also won the best film award.
"The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death" and "Operation Leviathan" shared the jury award.
The film festival, which opened on August 23, featured a series of events, including an exhibition of outstanding films produced by Changchun Film Studio, a themed screening week, and themed seminars.
20th Changchun Film Festival closes with award ceremony
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
