The film Better Together has been nominated at the Macau International Film Festival, with child star Jin Mengyi praised by Joan Chen for her natural talent.

(Kuala Lumpur, 28th) The team behind the Malaysian film Better Together was invited to the Chinese-language Film Night at the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival. Director Li Zijian, actors Gu Tianfa, and 9-year-old child star Jin Mengyi walked the red carpet, with Jin praised by veteran actress Joan Chen for his “clear, expressive eyes and natural talent.”

Better Together, centered on the themes of father-daughter estrangement and reconciliation, premiered in Malaysia this May. This marks its first appearance at a major Chinese film festival. Director Li Zijian highly praised Jin’s performance: “He accurately captures the character’s emotional shifts from rebellion to dependence, especially in the father-daughter reconciliation scene, with subtle expressions that exceeded my expectations.”

Jin Mengyi made his debut on the Golden Rooster stage with an overseas Chinese-language film. During the red carpet, he interacted with Joan Chen, who said: “This child has pure and expressive eyes; he is a natural talent for acting.” Earlier at a post-screening Q&A, Jin charmed the audience with his candid remarks and described the festival experience as a valuable learning opportunity.

Li Zijian noted that through Jin, Chinese audiences could see the continuation of Chinese culture among Malaysian Chinese. Jin also greeted fans in Malay and diligently learned dialect lines, showcasing strong cross-cultural communication skills.

Additionally, Better Together was nominated for the “Best Screenplay” award at the 17th Macau International Film Festival, with screenwriter Chen Yijing representing the team. Producer Lin Shangzhi said the nomination recognizes creative talent and proves that local stories can transcend cultures. Chen Yijing thanked the entire team and hopes the nomination brings more attention to the potential of Malaysian Chinese cinema.