Dante Lam Chiu-yin (center) wins best director at the 17th Huabiao Film Awards for Operation Red Sea [Photo provided to China Daily]

Most of the well-known faces in China's film industry were at the 17th Huabiao Film Awards in Beijing recently, ranging from directors like Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou and Wong Kar-wai to internationally recognized A-listers such as Zhang Ziyi, Li Bingbing, as well as pop idols like Kris Wu, Lu Han and the band TFBoys.

Nearly 300 stars and filmmakers were at the awards ceremony, which was held in the National Aquatics Center.

Live streaming of the gala attracted more than 6 million viewers on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, triggering numerous real-time comments. But it was Hold Your Hands - a film set in a remote village in Central China's Hunan province - which proved hottest on the chilly winter night.