Golden Goblet Awards Ceremony: Witnessing Legacy and Innovation in the “City of Film”

On the evening of June 22, the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival held the Golden Goblet Awards Ceremony and Red Carpet at the Shanghai Grand Theatre. For 31 years, this “City of Film” has illuminated the global cinematic arts with the Golden Goblet Awards, celebrating the blossoming of countless film dreams. Tran Anh Hung, the French director and Jury President of this year’s Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition, remarked that we come to Shanghai to select the finest films because “only the best can elevate a film festival”. While the international jury members’ dedication ensures the awards’ prestige, the heartfelt stories shared by filmmakers like Cao Baoping, Shunji Iwai, Da Peng, and Sun Yi about their connections to the Asian New Talent showcased how the festival continuously fosters new talent. Legacy and innovation remain the enduring themes of this “City of Film”.

Key figures attending the ceremony included Zhao Jiaming, member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Head of the Publicity Department; Zhang Quan, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress; Liu Duo, Vice Mayor of Shanghai; Qiu Huadong, member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the Secretariat of the China Writers Association; and Yan Jingming, Deputy Director of the Committee on Culture, Historical Data and Studies of the CPPCC and Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association.

AI Empowerment of the Golden Goblet Awards

“Artificial Intelligence” was undoubtedly a buzzword at this year’s SIFF. The ceremony’s directing team employed generative AI technology to blend the artistic features of each award with the Golden Goblet Awards trophy design, symbolizing how technology continually inspires filmmakers with boundless creativity.

This year, 50 films from 29 countries and regions competed in the five major sections of the Golden Goblet Awards. During the ceremony, the eight Main Competition awards were announced one by one. The Kazakh film THE DIVORCE won both Best Film and Best Actress, praised for its unique blend of comedy and tragedy, smoothly portraying the social realities and marital relationships in crisis. The jury noted that its distinctive innocence is “rare in today’s films”.

Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming won Best Actor for DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY. In his acceptance speech, he reflected on his 26-year career full of ups and downs, saying, “Today, I finally climbed the mountain and stood here, feeling like I’ve met my 18-year-old self again – the one who was optimistic and fearless. This encourages me to keep going with determination and courage.”

Two other Chinese films, THE HEDGEHOG and A MAN AND A WOMAN, received honors for Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography, respectively. The Argentine film ADULT won the Jury Grand Prix, recognized for its unique perspective that encourages people to consider issues from a youth’s viewpoint in a world full of lies, incompetence, and dilemmas. The Iranian film THE WASTEMAN, directed by Ahmad Bahrami, received the Outstanding Artistic Achievement award for its powerful and artistic portrayal of human survival amidst disaster, leaving the jury in awe.

Two Decades of Asian New Talent: Embracing the New

“Rooted in Asia, focusing on Chinese-language films, and supporting new talent” has been the steadfast mission of the SIFF for over three decades. For the past twenty years, the Asian New Talent has been dedicated to discovering and nurturing new talents and works, fostering emerging cinematic power in Asia, and introducing numerous filmmakers now active on the global stage.

At the awards ceremony, filmmakers Cao Baoping, Shunji Iwai, Da Peng, and Sun Yi shared their personal stories and enduring connections with the Asian New Talent through a short film titled REBIRTH. Eighteen years ago, Cao Baoping stood on the stage as a newcomer receiving the award. This year, he returned as the Jury President, reflecting emotionally, “Newcomers need opportunities and a stage. We were all newcomers once, so we are especially willing to support the ‘newborn’ dreams.” Shunji Iwai, who eagerly accepted the role of Jury President in the early days of the award, proudly stated, “This is an award for both Asia and the world. It showed me the long-lasting future of global cinema.” Da Peng, who grew alongside the award, couldn’t hide his excitement, “I started from Asia New Talent. The characters I play and those in the stories I tell are ordinary yet dream-filled people. Asia New Talent let us be seen.” Sun Yi, full of gratitude, recalled, “Even today, I can still see myself in tears at that moment. I firmly told myself, I want to be an actress!”

Under the spotlight of Asia New Talent, more and more newcomers gain courage and confidence, while seasoned filmmakers often reflect on their origins and initial aspirations. They witness their growth and transformation, as well as the festival’s enduring vitality.

An Unending Commitment to Cinema

The awards ceremony featured the Shanghai National Orchestra’s innovative new folk music performance, COLORS OF FILM, blending the millennia-old aesthetics of Chinese culture with the cinematic arts’ visual charm. Chinese singer Bibi Zhou’s classic musical film medley AS THE CURTAIN RISES recreated iconic singing and dancing scenes from international films, offering the audience a unique cinematic experience.

From the dazzling new films on the silver screen to the deepening dialogues between Chinese and French filmmakers, the Shanghai International Film Festival bridges cultures through cinema. Cédric Kahn, French director and award presenter, marveled at the similarities between Shanghai and Paris, saying, “Walking along the river in Shanghai reminds me of Paris and the Seine. Both are open and inclusive cities of film, which bridges our hearts.”

The festival’s charm also captivated the international judges. Matthias Glasner, German director and Main Competition jury member, expressed his reluctance to leave, saying, “This is not my first time in Shanghai, and it certainly won’t be my last. This is the charm of a ‘City of Film’, where we unite with film and our passions, making film our shared language.”

Young Chinese actor Wu Lei shared the voice of China’s young filmmakers: “The SIFF is like a gateway to pursuing dreams, giving us young filmmakers the courage to grow and follow the light.”

For over thirty years, the SIFF has built bridges of cultural exchange with its open and inclusive spirit. Here, filmmakers see a broader world, and young people embark on far-reaching dreams. Shanghai, this “City of Film” that connects the past and the present, East and West, will always join filmmakers and audiences worldwide in this cinematic journey, nurturing everlasting vitality.