'Dying to Survive' is favorite to win at China film awards event

Li Shaohong, the president of the guild, says that the 25 nominated films were selected from around 500 aspirants, accounting for half of the total output in 2018.

She adds that the awards were launched in 2005, which was one of the toughest moments for domestic filmmakers. Then, facing off powerful foreign rivals led by Hollywood, Chinese films were struggling for survival.

She added that the initial goal of the awards was to encourage local filmmakers.