The elite of Chinese TV movies produced in 2003 were recognized last week in Beijing.

A total of 10 productions shared the first prize of the Lily (Baihe) Awards, while another five claimed second prizes.

The best actress award went to Gao Yuan, who plays the leading role in one of the first-place winners, Yehu Liang De Nuren (The Woman from Yehu Mountain).

Over the past year, the quality of TV movies in China has continued to improve.

According to China Central Television's (CCTV) Movie Channel, one of the biggest promoters of TV movies in China, a total of 110 productions were produced last year.

CCTV set up the annual awards in 2001, aiming to promote the growth of the genre. And its efforts have finally paid off.

Unlike the previous year, when most productions were produced by CCTV, many other TV and film companies, both State-owned and private, have started setting foot in the field. For example, Yehu Liang De Nuren was produced by a private company from East China's Shandong Province.

Many of last year's TV movies were of a high caliber and attracted handsome viewer ratings when premiering on the Movie Channel.

Most of the movies explored the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people.

Viewers seem to be acclimatizing to the new genre quickly, which is also a big boost for the nation's struggling young directors.

Due to a slump in the film industry, young directors have had few chances to work on the big screen, which forced many of them to shoot TV commercials.

(China Daily June 3, 2004)