First Prize Winner: Zhang Ci (USA)
Awarded Work: Bank / 邦联壮志 (60 Episodes)
Author Biography:
Zhang Ci is a Chinese-American writer and documentary filmmaker. She graduated from the Chinese Department of Yunnan University and joined the Yunnan Branch of the China Writers Association in 1982. She currently resides in Los Angeles, USA. Zhang has received multiple awards for her literary and film works. Her publications include the novel Wandering in America, the short story collection Consolation, and nonfiction works such as 1968, Pocket of Silicon Valley and American Women.
Her documentary films have been screened at Stanford University, Waseda University in Japan, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Zhang’s documentary Wandering in Beijing is archived at Harvard University Library, UC Berkeley Library, the Pacific Archives, and the U.S. Library of Congress.
Synopsis:
Bank / 邦联壮志 is an urban crime drama centered on the mysterious West Coast organization “The Confederation” and its founder, Joseph Fernandez. The story is set in San Jose, a city rife with drugs, gangs, violent crime, and power struggles. Joseph was once the apprentice and son-in-law of billionaire and city hero B-MAN. After B-MAN is killed, Joseph navigates the underworld of gangs and finance with ease, eventually becoming the leader of “The Confederation.” As the plot unfolds following B-MAN’s death, Joseph uncovers the complex web of interests and rivalries behind various forces.
The series depicts the struggle between a city hero, organized crime, and financial villains, focusing on Joseph’s secret identity as he maneuvers between law enforcement and gangs, while exploring themes of morality, loyalty, and identity. Amber Kramer, a doctor at San Jose City Hospital and Joseph’s wife, appears to lead a calm life on the surface, but beneath it, tensions simmer. Amber and her friend, nurse Catherine Portman, become entangled in gang conflicts. Catherine’s boyfriend, Andro, is killed for allegedly stealing bitcoins from the gang leader Kartinov, leaving Catherine traumatized and fearful.
Meanwhile, as the head of “The Confederation,” Joseph must manage internal and external conflicts while protecting his wife and friends. Using his intelligence and ruthless strategy, he gradually takes control of the situation. However, Kartinov’s son is determined to avenge his father and threatens to disrupt the fragile balance Joseph has maintained between lawful and criminal worlds. Joseph must navigate multiple factions, safeguard his organization, and prevent his family and friends from becoming collateral damage.
The drama not only portrays the brutal conflicts between gangs but also explores the emotional and psychological journeys of female characters such as Amber and Catherine, revealing human choices and vulnerabilities when facing dangerous, complex situations. The series is fast-paced and suspenseful, highlighting the struggles of power, life, and death, as well as human nature under extreme pressure.
Professional Review:
The series portrays the male lead’s double life as he navigates the intersection of law and crime, depicting a power struggle where urban gangs and financial crimes collide. It presents a tense confrontation between life and death, showcasing the human struggle within. With tight pacing, multidimensional characters, and a balance of action and psychological depth, the drama delivers strong realism and emotional tension. The series is packed with highlights, highly watchable, and has strong market potential, showing the potential to become a breakout hit.
Second Prize Winner: Wang Fei (China)
Awarded Work: Entrapping Him / 引他入局 (60 Episodes)
Author Biography:
Wang Fei resides in Heilongjiang Province, China. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Anhui University of Finance and Economics. She earned a graduate degree in Arts and Literary Creation, specializing in TV drama, theater, and novel writing, from Dongguk University in South Korea, graduating with outstanding academic performance. During her graduate studies, she assisted HQ Entertainment in Korea with Chinese script polishing for the TV drama Youth.
Synopsis:
Li Kangkang placed 3 million RMB in cash inside a suitcase in front of Xia Jian. Upon seeing the money, Xia Jian immediately changed his previously dismissive attitude, unaware that Li Kangkang appeared frail and seriously ill. However, this 3 million RMB was only the first step of a plan orchestrated by Li Kangkang and Yuan Pei to exact revenge on Xia Jian.
Xia Jian, a psychologist, had not only had an affair with an obscure celebrity, Gu Shanshan, but also transferred all marital assets elsewhere. To reclaim what was rightfully hers, Yuan Pei enlisted the help of her friend Li Kangkang in the U.S. Li Kangkang lost 30 pounds to pose as a fake anorexia patient, using the pretext of seeking psychological treatment to infiltrate Xia Jian’s home.
Xia Jian hid the 3 million RMB at a villa unknown to Yuan Pei. Yuan Pei, searching for the transferred marital assets, almost got caught by Xia Jian, but fell through a wall and injured her leg. She was rescued by a young doctor, Dr. Gu, who brought her to his private hospital and treated her injury.
Li Kangkang deliberately seduced Xia Jian, claiming she was the overseas heiress of the powerful Gu family and, with little time left, only wanted a passionate romance. Xia Jian wavered. While Xia Jian was away, Li Kangkang and Yuan Pei secretly ate snails at home. Xia Jian, who returned early, witnessed the act, and Li Kangkang had to claim she was feeling better and wanted to taste it, only to vomit afterward. Suspicious, Xia Jian suggested a full medical check-up for Li Kangkang to verify her anorexia.
Fearing exposure, Yuan Pei revealed the full plan to Dr. Gu. Initially unwilling to help, Dr. Gu witnessed Yuan Pei intentionally injure herself with a scalpel, showing no pain and refusing to be stopped from punishing the unfaithful Xia Jian. Moved, Dr. Gu agreed to join their plan.
When Dr. Gu visited, he posed as the Gu family’s physician and presented Li Kangkang as the family heiress. He even provided credentials from a prestigious U.S. medical school and details of the family’s address, phone numbers, and servants’ names. This convinced Li Kangkang and Yuan Pei and dispelled Xia Jian’s doubts.
Meanwhile, Gu Shanshan, pregnant with Xia Jian’s child, suffered severe abdominal pain and went to the hospital. Xia Jian ignored her calls, and Li Kangkang engaged in ambiguous interactions with Xia Jian. Gu Shanshan turned to her brother—who was revealed to be Dr. Gu—for help, and the child was ultimately saved. It was revealed that Gu Shanshan was the true heiress of the wealthy Gu family, and Dr. Gu was the family’s heir.
In the end, Li Kangkang claimed she needed to marry Xia Jian and visit her grandfather to gain approval, convincing Xia Jian to sign a fake contract with 20 million RMB of his private assets. Having lost everything, Xia Jian realized the truth too late—losing both the real heiress and Yuan Pei. Dr. Gu pursued Yuan Pei, and together, Yuan Pei, Li Kangkang, and Gu Shanshan used the 20 million RMB to establish a women’s foundation to help more women.
Professional Review:
The series centers on themes of revenge and interpersonal relationships, with twists and turns that create strong dramatic tension. The characters are well-developed, and the growth arcs of the female protagonists are clear, showcasing their intelligence, courage, and emotional empowerment. The plot emphasizes “punishing unfaithful men” and “sisterhood alliance,” aligning with contemporary societal attention to women’s issues. This urban suspense micro-drama blends entertainment with meaningful values, making it a high-quality and engaging series.
Second Prize Winner: Zhong Mei (USA)
Awarded Work: My American Rebirth / 我的美式重生 (60 Episodes)
Author Biography:
Zhong Mei, pen name Zhong Meixi, holds a master’s degree in Arts and Literature. She is a member of the Arts Committee of the Chinese Writers Association in the USA and a member of the Northwest Chinese Writers Association. Previously, she served as chief editor, head screenwriter, and producer at Hubei Radio and Television. She has won the National Column Drama First Prize and Best Screenwriter Award. Her scripts have been featured in the series Jingshi Story Collection.
In 2024, she published the novel Drifting Like Clouds, exploring the life disruptions and personal reflections of overseas Chinese during the pandemic, now archived at Ohio State University. Her work Chinese Vase won the Best IP Award at the 2nd International Chinese Original IP Film Festival. My American Rebirth received the Second Prize at the inaugural Global Micro-Series Drama Awards. In 2025, she published a bilingual Chinese-English poetry collection, Thoughts of May. Her essays have appeared in publications including Huaren, Sing Tao Daily, World Journal, and online platforms.
Synopsis:
My American Rebirth tells the story of Suzan, the eldest daughter of a general’s household in ancient China, who transmigrates into the modern body of Susan in the United States. Determined to reshape Susan’s weak and chaotic life, she embarks on a legendary journey full of challenges, growth, and the fusion of Eastern and Western cultural elements.
Suzan, at seventeen, was betrayed by her stepmother and fell from a tower while her father was away on military duty. She awakens in the body of Susan, a struggling Hollywood actress who once had a one-night stand with Joe, the son of the wealthy Smith family, giving birth to a daughter, Carol, whom Joe raised. Susan squandered a large sum of money she received from Joe and eventually lost all hope, attempting suicide by diving into a pool. Suzan arrives at the critical moment when Joe saves Susan and performs CPR. Reading Susan’s memories, Suzan discovers the financial chaos, debts, and her six-year-old daughter, nearly overwhelming her.
Returning to the rented apartment, Suzan finds the overdue rent threatening her with eviction. Joe temporarily resolves the crisis with a large payment to the landlord, and Suzan immediately writes an IOU to repay him.
Lily, daughter of Kathy, the Smith family’s housekeeper, warns Susan against interfering with her relationship with Joe, and slyly introduces Susan to an opportunity as a stunt double. Seeking independence, Susan accepts, performing dangerous stunts on set while enduring bullying from Lily. Carol, deprived of maternal care, begins to show psychological distress. Joe manipulates the situation to convince Susan to accept his proposal to act as Carol’s family supervisor for three months.
Three months later, during a grand banquet to welcome the matriarch, society elites gather. When Lily assumes Carol is hiding out of fear, Carol unexpectedly appears, playing a rattle and singing Shenglü Qimeng, delighting the matriarch, who entrusts Joe with the family’s Asian business operations.
Meanwhile, a major kung-fu action film produced by Rick seeks a lead actress. Lily bribes the director, assuming she will get the role, but Rick recalls Susan’s fearless fight against a gang of thugs and deems her the perfect choice.
A year later, Susan wins the Best Newcomer Award. At the ceremony, Lily attempts to expose Carol as Susan’s illegitimate daughter. Susan proudly declares her daughter in front of everyone, much to Lily’s frustration. After the event, Joe watches Susan leave in Rick’s car, feeling desolate.
In the final scene, Joe visits the bar where he first met Susan. Susan’s friend Jessie returns a check to Joe, who runs out to see Susan walking with Carol, smiling at him. Joe opens his arms, reuniting with them.
Professional Review:
My American Rebirth uses the “transmigration” narrative device to bring a Chinese noblewoman into modern America, exploring motherly awakening, identity transformation, and overcoming adversity amidst cultural collisions. With intricate plotting, brisk pacing, mature screenwriting, and a balance of market appeal, entertainment, and values, it is a high-quality urban micro-series that exemplifies female empowerment and growth.