On the evening of September 13, 2025, some actors from New Century Films attended the award ceremony of the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF). Actresses Feng Xiaoya and Zhao Zhenru from New Century Films won the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards for their roles in the film “City of Winds and Clouds”.
This year marks the ninth edition of TINFF, which is also the largest in scale and most enriching in terms of activities. Filmmakers from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds were present at the awards ceremony.
The feature film “City of Winds and Clouds,” produced by New Century Films, received ten nominations in nine categories at the film festival. The host introduced New Century Films during the awards ceremony, emphasizing that it is a team guided by the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance,” receiving applause and cheers from the audience.
The founder of the film festival, Isioro T. Jaboro, congratulated New Century Films on winning two major acting awards, stating, “Winning two Best Actress awards shows that you can effectively convey the message you want to express. Your authentic performances have made the story you tell unique.” He further expressed, “We convey messages through film production, and ‘City of Winds and Clouds’ has achieved this. The judges recognized this, resulting in such success. New Century Films have good stories, good films, and deliver very positive messages. We welcome such films.”
Jaboro acknowledged the challenges faced by filmmakers, encouraging everyone in New Century Films to continue their beliefs and share the messages they want to convey.
Patrick Brown, the former leader of the Conservative Party in Ontario and the Mayor of Brampton, also attended the awards ceremony to congratulate the successful organization of the film festival. Following the seminar event on the previous day, Mayor Brown presented certificates to the producer of New Century Films, Huì Yuè, and the actress and marketing manager Zhao Zhenru, recognizing their valuable contributions to the film industry and achievements at TINFF’s sister film festival, the Brampton International Nollywood Film Festival (BINFF). The commendation stated, “Your dedication to the arts, creativity, and commitment to development continue to inspire audiences and enhance cross-cultural exchanges through films. On behalf of all members of the city council, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and wish you continued success in the future.”
The film “City of Winds and Clouds” has a runtime of 70 minutes, portraying a series of thrilling stories unfolding in “Qīng County” along with many unknown secrets. From a self-sacrificing doctor to a surviving assassin, from a ruthless public security chief to a discerning former police chief, and a cunning gang leader… These vivid and multi-dimensional characters collectively create a tumultuous and unpredictable “cloud”.
Abdullah Sherazi, studying at the Toronto Film Academy, watched the screening of “City of Winds and Clouds” at the film festival, expressing that the film is heart-wrenching and he particularly likes the contrast between peace and violence and the hidden issues unknown to the audience. The film presents these topics in a very positive manner, enlightening viewers about the sensitive situation under the (Chinese Communist) regime.
“In terms of production, this is a very exquisite piece—from the actors’ performances to the production team, cinematography, it’s all fantastic. The script itself, storytelling, framing of shots, and visuals are all well-executed. The actors’ performances are outstanding, the editing team did a great job, and the sound effects are also excellent. Overall, this is an exceptional film.”
Gonzall Jimenez, a filmmaker who has written scripts and directed films, remarked after watching the film, “Having a film like this is really good; it helps people understand what actually happens in mainland China.”
The two actresses left a profound impression on him as well, saying, “Their performances are very compelling, leaving a lasting impact on me. Their portrayal and interpretation in their performances truly convey the struggles and strength experienced in upholding justice. I find this aspect very touching. Both actresses delivered exceptionally well.”