Zhang Ziyi as Meng Xiaodong in the film "Forever Enthralled". Zhang Ziyi has been nominated for best actress for the role at the 13th Huabiao Awards. [mtime.com]

Actress Zhang Ziyi and directors Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang are among the hopefuls for the 13th Huabiao Awards, the highest film honor given biennially by the Chinese government.

Zhang Ziyi is nominated for the best actress award for her role in Chen Kaige's Peking Opera-centered film "Forever Enthralled," Sina.com.cn reported on Monday. In the film, Zhang Ziyi plays Peking Opera singer Meng Xiaodong.

Zhang Ziyi's rivals are Jiang Qinqin ("City of Dreams"), Fan Zhibo ("Emergency"), and Dong Ling ("Heng Ping Shu Zhi").

"Forever Enthralled" director Chen Kaige is competing for the best director award with Feng Xiaogang ("The Assembly"), Jiang Haiyang ("Gaokao 1977"), and Gao Feng ("Da He").

"The Assembly" star Zhang Hanyu is in competition for the best actor award.

"The Assembly" and "Forever Enthralled" are both among the 20 candidates for best feature film.

Acknowledging the frequent cooperation between film talents from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, a new awards category has been added this year to honor those from outside the Chinese mainland. Nominees include "Red Cliff" director John Woo (Hong Kong), and leading actress Lin Chi-Ling (Taiwan), as well as "If You Are the One" actress Hsu Chi (Taiwan).

Winners of the 13th Huabiao Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Beijing scheduled for August 29, roughly one month ahead of the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. To mark the occasion, a record number of film stars are set to grace the red carpet, according to the awards' organizer.

(CRI August 17, 2009)