Chinese films among nominees at Aussie screen awards

Chinese films were among those nominated for awards at this year's Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTAs), at a gala ceremony here on Wednesday night.

A blisteringly-high standard of Australian cinema was on show, with world class films Judy & Punch, The Nightingale, Hotel Mumbai and The King, dominating nominations.

Despite The King receiving a slew of awards, it was gothic colonial drama The Nightingale, from director Jennifer Kent, which took the best film award for 2019.

As well as recognizing the best local film and television talent, the AACTAs also include a best Asian film category, emblematic of Australia's close ties to the region.

Chinese sci-fi blockbuster, The Wandering Earth was among this year's nominees, alongside period film, Shadow, from acclaimed director Zhang Yimou, and the hugely-popular mythical Chinese animated feature, Ne Zha.

However, it was South Korean film, Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho, which won the best Asian film, continuing a run of dominance at film festivals around the world.

Speaking to Xinhua from the red carpet, The Wandering Earth actress Qu Jingjing said that it was an honor to be nominated and to be a part of such a landmark film in terms of Chinese blockbuster sci-fi.

"This is the first time premiering a Chinese science-fiction film (of this scale), so I think it's an opportunity for foreigners to know more about the Chinese film industry," Qu said.