Jackie Chan mourns Nansun Shi: 'Film industry has lost a legend'
Synopsis
Jackie Chan broke his silence on the death of Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi with a heartfelt Instagram tribute, calling her a 'legendary figure' and invoking her 'spirit and integrity.' Shi, the Film Workshop co-founder, died on 13 July aged 75 after immune system complications — a loss that has drawn tributes from across Hong Kong cinema, including Donnie Yen.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Chan paid tribute to Nansun Shi on Instagram , calling her a 'legendary figure' the film industry has lost.
Nansun Shi , co-founder of Film Workshop , died peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on 13 July .
She was 75 and had been suffering from immune system complications leading to multiple organ dysfunction .
Hong Kong actor Donnie Yen Chi-tan also expressed grief over her passing on social media.
Chan and Shi never formally collaborated on a film but shared decades of mutual respect.
Jackie Chan has paid a moving tribute to Nansun Shi, the celebrated Hong Kong film producer and co-founder of Film Workshop, who passed away on 13 July at the age of 75. Chan described her death as a profound loss for global cinema, calling her 'another legendary figure' the industry has lost.
Jackie Chan's Tribute
On Tuesday, Chan shared throwback photographs alongside Shi on his Instagram handle, offering a rare glimpse into the warm bond and mutual respect the two shared across decades in the industry. In his caption, Chan wrote: 'It is with great shock to hear the news of Nansun Shi's passing. The film industry has lost another legendary figure.'
He added: 'I'm sure that no matter when we look back at her outstanding achievements, everyone will remember the spirit and integrity of this person behind those classic works. Big sister Nansun, rest in peace. We pay our deepest respects to you and will remember you forever.'
Nansun Shi's Passing and Health Condition
According to a statement released by Film Workshop, Shi died peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on 13 July. She had been battling declining health due to immune system complications, with recurring infections ultimately leading to multiple organ dysfunction. She was 75.
Shi was a towering figure in Hong Kong cinema, widely credited as a driving force behind Film Workshop, the production house that shaped much of the city's golden era of filmmaking.
Industry Mourns: Donnie Yen Also Pays Respects
Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen Chi-tan also expressed grief over Shi's passing, taking to social media to describe himself as deeply saddened by the loss. His tribute underscored the breadth of Shi's influence across generations of Hong Kong cinema talent.
Notably, while Chan and Shi never formally collaborated on a film project in the roles of actor and producer, the two shared a longstanding relationship built on deep mutual admiration — a bond evident in the warmth of the photographs Chan chose to share.
Legacy of a Hong Kong Cinema Pioneer
Nansun Shi's contributions to Hong Kong cinema spanned decades, with Film Workshop producing works that became benchmarks of the region's cultural output. Her passing comes at a time when the Hong Kong film industry continues to grapple with a changing global landscape, making the loss of its foundational voices all the more keenly felt.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the film world, Shi's legacy as a producer of integrity and vision appears secure — remembered not just through her films, but through the esteem in which her peers held her.
Point of View
Following a period of declining health, arrives as Hong Kong cinema faces an identity crisis of its own. The industry that Shi helped build is smaller, more constrained, and less globally dominant than it was at its peak. Losing its foundational voices now is not just a sentimental loss — it is a structural one.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jackie Chan pay tribute to Nansun Shi?
Jackie Chan shared throwback photographs with Nansun Shi on his Instagram handle and wrote a heartfelt caption describing her as a 'legendary figure' whose 'spirit and integrity' would always be remembered. He addressed her as 'Big sister Nansun' and offered his 'deepest respects.'
What was the cause of Nansun Shi's death?
According to a statement from Film Workshop, Shi had been suffering from declining health due to immune system complications. Recurring infections eventually led to multiple organ dysfunction, and she died peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on 13 July.
Did Jackie Chan and Nansun Shi work together on films?
Jackie Chan and Nansun Shi never formally collaborated on an official film project in the roles of actor and producer. However, the two shared a longstanding and deep mutual respect, as reflected in Chan's emotional tribute following her passing.
Who else paid tribute to Nansun Shi?
Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen Chi-tan also paid tribute to Nansun Shi, expressing on social media that he was deeply saddened by the loss of the celebrated film industry figure.
