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| Duan Aojuan Snags Golden Rooster Best Actress Nomination, Sparks Debate Over Unreleased Film |
The 38th Golden Rooster Awards nominations dropped on 26 September, and one name instantly lit up the conversation online – Duan Aojuan.
The singer-turned-actress has landed a nod for Best Actress thanks to her role in the indie film The Lost Daughter. On paper, it’s a career-defining moment. I
In practice? It’s turned into one of the spiciest debates of the season.
The controversy comes down to timing.
The Lost Daughter hasn’t even hit cinemas yet, meaning the wider public hasn’t had the chance to judge Duan Aojuan’s performance.
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Many fans admitted they’d never even heard of the project before the shortlist went live, leading to scepticism over how a first-time actress could jump straight into such a heavyweight category.
Director Li Ji addressed the chatter, admitting the team already has screening approval but releasing a small-budget film is no easy feat.
“Distribution often costs more than production,” he explained, adding that the budget had been fully drained on actually making the movie.
The crew are now hoping for external support to push the release across the finish line.
While the nomination surprised plenty, Li Ji defended Duan’s spot, revealing that her acting had impressed audiences during festival screenings.
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He also painted a picture of an unusually dedicated rookie: “She’d show up to set even when she had no scenes, just to watch and learn from behind the monitor. She’s meticulous, curious, and always ready to work.”
That work ethic seems to have paid off, even if the buzz now overshadows her performance.
The director himself admitted the nomination blindsided the whole team – they hadn’t even prepped a celebratory poster when the list was announced.
The Golden Rooster, alongside the Hundred Flowers and the Huabiao Awards, is one of China’s “big three” film prizes, held in high regard by both insiders and cinema fans.
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This year’s line-up skews young, with familiar faces like Zhu Yilong, Yi Yangqianxi, and Liu Haoran in the Best Actor bracket, while Duan Aojuan stands shoulder to shoulder with seasoned actresses like Song Jia and Yong Mei.
But the snubs also fuelled online grumbles – heavyweights such as Zhang Ziyi, Yang Mi, and Zhao Liying were left off the list, despite notable recent performances.
For some, Duan Aojuan’s sudden breakthrough feels like an upset too big to ignore.
Regardless of how the award plays out, Duan Aojuan’s nomination alone shifts her from “idol singer” to “serious actress” in the public eye. Whether The Lost Daughter finally gets a proper cinema run could determine if her performance wins hearts beyond the festival circuit – or remains a flashpoint in awards-season debates.