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| Zhang Ziyi Celebrates Fifth Best Actress Nomination at Hong Kong Film Awards. (Photo: Sina) |
Zhang Ziyi is officially back in the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress race. The Chinese screen icon has secured her fifth nomination at the prestigious ceremony, this time for her performance in She’s Got No Name, and she didn’t hold back in celebrating the milestone.
Shortly after the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards nomination list was unveiled, Zhang’s studio took to Weibo with a confident and reflective message. The statement traced her career through the powerful women she has portrayed — from Jen Yu in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, to Gong Er in The Grandmaster, and now Zhan Zhoushi in She’s Got No Name.
The post described her journey as one shaped by roles that refined her original passion and performances that documented her growth as an actress.
“Congratulations to Zhang Ziyi on her fifth Hong Kong Film Awards nomination for She’s Got No Name,” the studio wrote, framing the nod as both recognition and continuation of her artistic evolution.
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This marks Zhang Ziyi’s fourth nomination in the Best Actress category at the Hong Kong Film Awards, and her fifth nomination overall.
She was first nominated for Best Actress in 2001 for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, followed by a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 2003 for Hero.
Although she did not take home trophies on those occasions, she later won Best Actress twice — in 2005 for 2046 and again in 2014 for The Grandmaster. That track record alone places her among the most recognised mainland actresses in the awards’ history.
Her latest nominated role, Zhan Zhoushi in She’s Got No Name, continues her pattern of portraying layered female characters navigating complex emotional and social landscapes.
From the rebellious edge of Jen Yu to the restrained strength of Gong Er, Zhang’s filmography has consistently spotlighted women with depth, resilience and presence.
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Of course, this year’s Best Actress category is no easy field. Zhang will be competing against Ma Li for The Dumpling Queen, Natalie Hsu for First of May, Fish Liew for Someone Like Me, and Fala Chen for Peg O’My Heart.
It is a line-up that blends commercial appeal with arthouse credibility, making the final outcome far from predictable.
Online reactions have been lively and split in tone. Many fans celebrated the nomination as a “buff stacking moment,” joking that Zhang Ziyi is collecting Hong Kong Film Awards nods like badges of honour.
Supporters praised her longevity and consistency, pointing out that few actresses maintain such relevance across decades. Some even highlighted how her roles, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to The Grandmaster and now She’s Got No Name, reflect evolving portrayals of female strength in Chinese-language cinema.
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Meanwhile, a section of netizens took a more cautious stance. A few questioned whether nostalgia plays a role in repeated nominations, while others argued that this year’s competition feels especially tight.
Still, even critics acknowledged that Zhang Ziyi’s career weight and screen presence make her a formidable contender.
Adding to the buzz, Zhang Ziyi was recently announced as part of the 19th Asian Film Awards masterclass programme, reinforcing that her industry influence extends beyond acting alone. Between awards recognition and professional engagements, her career momentum appears firmly intact.
Now the question is simple: will this be the year she adds another Best Actress trophy to her collection, or will a new name rise? What do you think — does Zhang Ziyi deserve the crown this time, or is the race leaning elsewhere?