China's top film gala off to a roaring start in Lanzhou

One of China’s most prestigious film events –- the China Golden Rooster and?Hundred Flowers Film Festival -- running in the city of Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, Sept 24-27, had an opening ceremony that attracted Feng Jianshen, chairman of the Gansu CPPCC, Li Xuejian, chairman of the China film association, and Yu Haiyan, Lanzhou Party secretary.

The annual festival consists of the China Film Golden Rooster Awards and the Mass Film Hundred Flowers Awards, with the former given in odd-numbered years and the latter in even- numbered years. The Hundred Flowers Awards, considered to be China's Golden Globes, are sponsored by Popular Cinema magazine, which has the largest circulation in China.

The festival was founded in 1992, with Propaganda Dept approval, and China Film Association and China Literature and Arts Association support and is held in a different city every year. Lanzhou was chosen for the 23rd festival in hopes of promoting its cultural development.

The awards were voted on by audiences and polls that allow voters to cast ballots through SMS, over the Internet, or by phone. By the end of this July, there were over 22 million votes, or considerably more than last year’s 8 million or so.

There are nine awards, including best actor, best actress and best director. The winners get a statuette in the shape of a flower goddess. This year’s nominees included many famous stars, such as Jackie Chan.

By Li Xiaoxu and edited by Roger Bradshaw