A total of 18 films will complete for 10 award categories of the Golden Deer Awards at the 20th Changchun Film Festival which kicked off on Saturday in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province.

The event is hosted by the China Media Group and the People's Government of Jilin Province. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Chinese movies and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Changchun Film Studio, one of China's largest film producers.

The film festival opened with a grand symphony concert, with music selected from classic movies such as "The Birth of New China" and "Heroic Sons and Daughters" played. The opening ceremony was divided into three chapters marking classics, heritage, and the future.

This year's Golden Deer Awards attracted 150 entries, of which 18, including " Dead To Rights" and "The Lychee Road," were shortlisted for 10 award categories including the Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

The film festival, which runs until August 28, also feature a series of events, including an exhibition of outstanding films produced by Changchun Film Studio, a themed screening week, and themed seminars.