Zhang Ziyi at the award ceremony [Photo: chinesefilm.cn]

A grand award ceremony for the First Youth Film Festival was held yesterday at Qinghai University in Xining, Qinghai Province.

More than 40 film stars and filmmakers, including Zhang Ziyi, Liu Hua, Jin Qiaoqiao, Jeff Bao, Tang Chun Yip, appeared on the red carpet during the event when the prestigious awards were presented to outstanding young filmmakers and actors, Chinesefilms.cn reports.

Hosted by young presenter Sa Beining from China Central Television, the ceremony opened on a humorous note.

Eighteen awards were presented during the event, including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Music Video in short films competing section and films promotion section.

Zhang and actor Daniel Wu snapped up the most popular actress and actor awards, respectively, while "Mou Boy" Shawn Dou took home the rookie award.

The winners were chosen by experts from the film industry and filmmakers of more than 1,000 works from all over the world.

The First Youth Film Festival opened on September 27 and will run until September 30.