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| International Streaming Festival 2025: Chinese and Taiwanese Dramas Sweep Major Awards (Photo: Weibo) |
The International Streaming Festival 2025 officially wrapped up this week, cementing its status as one of the most influential award ceremonies for Asia’s digital entertainment industry.
With streaming platforms now driving much of global viewing, this year’s edition spotlighted how Chinese and Taiwanese productions are not just holding their own, but actively leading the charge.
Chinese and Taiwanese Dramas Take Centre Stage
From heartfelt medical stories to high-tech fantasy worlds, dramas from China and Taiwan dominated the winners’ list.
The biggest cheer of the night came when The Outlaw Doctor, a gripping medical drama, bagged Best Asian Contents.
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| The Outlaw Doctor Leads Big Wins for Asian Dramas at Streaming Festival 2025 |
Its win proved once again that a fresh storyline and polished production can resonate with audiences well beyond its home market.
Visionary Directing and Fresh Talent
The Best Director prize went to Yao Xiaofeng for Northward, praised for its cinematic visuals and masterful storytelling.
In the acting categories, Suri Lin stole the spotlight, taking home Best Newcomer Actress for Born for the Spotlight. Her breakout performance was hailed as a refreshing presence in the region’s competitive drama scene.
Visual Power and Technical Achievements
Fantasy spectacle I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang impressed both critics and fans with its cutting-edge graphics and immersive world-building, winning Best Visual Effects.
It’s another reminder of how production values in Asian dramas are quickly catching up with — and in some cases rival — Hollywood benchmarks.
Young Stars on the Rise
One of the most emotional moments came when Shi Pengyuan was honoured as Rising Star of the Year for his role in A Life For A Life. His performance struck a chord with both judges and viewers, marking him as one to watch.
People’s Choice – The Fan Favourite Awards
bai jingting and bai lu won the people's choice awards on the #GlobalOTTAwards2025 for their roles in the first frost and northward 🏆
— shan☔ (@baixueshans) August 24, 2025
CONGRAAAATS TO OUR 白白 BABIES 🥹 pic.twitter.com/MvvvPnMwPy
Popularity wasn’t left out of the spotlight. The People’s Choice Award went to two household names: Bai Jingting (The First Frost) and Bai Lu (Northward).
Their wins underscored the growing global influence of Chinese stars, with fan votes pouring in from across continents.
The 2025 festival not only celebrated achievements but also highlighted a clear trend — Asian dramas, particularly those from China and Taiwan, are setting new standards internationally. With stories that balance local flavour and universal themes, plus increasingly sophisticated production values, their dominance looks set to grow even stronger in the years ahead.