‘Blossoms Shanghai’ sweeps top categories at TV fest’s Magnolia Awards

‘Blossoms Shanghai’ sweeps top categories at TV fest’s Magnolia Awards

By Joyce Xu

Shanghai-produced epic series “Blossoms Shanghai” was a huge winner of the Magnolia Awards which closed the 29th Shanghai TV Festival on Friday (June 28) night at the Lingang Performing Arts Center.

The popular series won the Best TV Series (China) award, and its main star, Shanghai actor Hu Ge, was named Best Actor in a Leading Role.

It is the second time Hu has won this award. He extended his gratitude to all crew members on the series and his family.

“As an actor, I am the happiest one in the crew, with so many people’s trust and support,” Hu said.

Before filming the series, Hu lent the scarf of his late mother to the crew as a prop to keep alive her memory on the screen.

The series’ scriptwriter, Qin Wen, received the award for Best Adapted Screenplay while Tu Nan garnered the Best Art Direction award for creating a vivid style to showcase the charm and allure of Shanghai.

Peter Pau, Chen Cheng and Jin Chenyu shared the Best Cinematography award for their skilful portrayal of Shanghai's unique and vibrant colors through the artful manipulation of light and shadow in the drama.

Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, the series focuses on the growth and entrepreneurship of Ah Bao amid changing times in Shanghai.

Juries spoke highly of the series’ impressive chronicle of the splendour and vicissitudes of an era, and its vivid depictions of ordinary people in their pursuit of a better life.

“Wondering the Vast,” which successfully portrays a youthful Mao Zedong on screen, won the Jury Prize.

“Spinners” from South Africa won the Best Foreign TV Series/Serial award while French production “Samber” garnered the award for best foreign TV film/miniseries.

The Best Director award went to Xin Shuang for “The Long Season,” a captivating story about the strength of perseverance amid life's hardships.

Gao Xuan and Ren Baoru shared the award for Best Original Screenplay for “Imperfect Victim.” The series’ lead actress Zhou Xun also won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her vivid portrayal of a lawyer.

Actor Ning Li took the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his acting in “Ripe Town.”

“I dreamed of stepping onto the stage of the Magnolia Awards when I was a college student,” said Ning. “It took me around 30 years to realize the dream. It is a sleepless night for me.”

Jiang Yan was honored as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Always on the Move.” With tears, she thanked all the series’ creators and her family for their support.

Actress Liu Yifei and actor Chen Xiao were also named Overseas Promotion Ambassadors for Chinese TV Programs at the awards ceremony.

“Call Me Dancer,” a co-production of the United States, Germany and Switzerland, received the Best Documentary award. Chinese documentary work “China Before China” took the Best Documentary Series award.

In the animation category, “Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures,” co-produced by the UK and Belgium, was named Best Animation. Japanese animation “Skip and Loafer” won the Best Storytelling award.

In the variety category, the 2024 Spring Festival Gala and “Divas Hit the Road – Silk Road Season” shared the award for best variety program.

The TV festival also presented the International Communication Award to three outstanding productions: animation series “Yao-Chinese Folktales,” documentary “Road to Carbon Neutrality,” and sci-fi series “Three-Body.”