Late Actress Chen Meiguang’s Family to Receive Overdue Best Actress Award 5 Years After Her Passing

Back in December 2020, local short film Filial Haven was presented at the inaugural China-ASEAN Art & Culture Week in Guangxi, China — where it won three major awards: Best Producer,  Best Actor, and Best Actress.

The heartfelt film, originally a student project from Chapman University and produced by local director Shawn Tan, starred ex-Mediacorp actor Nick Shen and the late veteran actress  Chen Meiguang.

Filial Haven tells a moving story about family bonds — a mother who cannot bear to part with her son, and a daughter-in-law who insists on sending the elderly woman to a nursing home. 

However, due to the pandemic that year, the team decided not to publicly announce the wins at the time. Everyone moved on with life, until recently, while sorting through old materials, the filmmakers made a regretful discovery: the award certificate had never been delivered to Meiguang’s family.

Chen Meiguang passed away on November 8, 2020, from a cerebral hemorrhage at Sengkang General Hospital. She was 88.

According to 8world vibes, it was Nick Shen who suggested casting Meiguang as the mother. At the time, she had limited mobility and required a wheelchair, but the production team made every effort to accommodate her.

Nick and the crew often visited her home for script readings and personally drove her to and from filming locations. On set, Nick played her son, and the two developed a close bond that extended beyond the camera.

Now, nearly five years after her passing, the filmmakers have decided to personally deliver the long-overdue Best Actress award certificate to Meiguang’s family on Tuesday (Nov 11) — the week of her death anniversary.

They hope the gesture will allow her spirit to feel the love and remembrance from audiences and peers who continue to honour her legacy.