Wonderland has won the “Most Anticipated Chinese-Language Films” award at this year’s Golden Rooster Awards. The 37th edition was part of the prestigious China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, from November 13 to 16, 2024.

The annual event, which honours excellence in Chinese and international cinema, is considered one of the most significant in the Chinese film industry.

Wonderland Director, Chai Yee Wei, and cast Mark Lee and Peter Yu were in China to receive the award. Director Chai Yee Wei, “It was an honour to be amongst the best in Chinese cinema receiving this award. Totally unexpected and so grateful that the themes in Wonderland resonated with the audience at the festival.”

Mark Lee agrees: “So happy that this film was so well received by the China audience at the screening and at the same time, we won the most anticipated Chinese language film too! What a great achievement for the whole team.”

Says Peter Yu: “I am here representing two Singapore films and I cannot believe that both films were given the same award! Sharing the stage with both the directors is going to be one of the highlights of my career.”

“Thank you to our fellow Singaporeans who had supported this uniquely Singaporean film in the theatres and gave it such a great run at the box office. Immensely grateful that Wonderland has taken on a life of its own and still winning hearts all over the world. Very soon, Singaporeans will be able to stream Wonderland in the comfort of their homes,” says Michelle Chang, Producer and Writer of Wonderland.

The other two awardees in this category are A Year of No Significance by Singaporean director Kelvin Tong and Gold by Malaysian director, Adrian Teh.

The festival features a diverse program, including screenings of 75 films—10 from the Chinese mainland, 25 from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and 40 international titles from over 30 countries. The awards ceremony, scheduled for November 16, will present 20 accolades across various categories. These include Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor/Actress, with nominees such as Endless Journey, Article 20, and The Volunteers: To the War for Best Picture.

International films like Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two are competing for Best Foreign Language Film.

Since its relocation to Xiamen in 2019, the festival has grown significantly, supported by the city’s burgeoning film industry, which houses over 2,400 film and TV companies. The event also includes academic forums, industry symposiums, and the Golden Rooster Film Venture Conference, highlighting its role as a cultural and professional hub for cinema enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Wonderland is co-produced by mm2 Entertainment and supported by Infocomm Media Development Authority. It made its nationwide release in cinemas on August 8th 2024. It recently premiered in Malaysian cinemas on October 17th 2024, and is still showing in Malaysian cinemas.