SIFF World Express | Golden Goblet Awards' Entry DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY Debuted at Tokyo International Film Festival

On October 28, the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival officially kicked off in Japan.  As part of the “SIFF World Express” program from Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), the film DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY made its debut on October 29 at Tokyo International Film Festival’s “World Focus” section and had its international premiere. The film’s director Wei Shujun, actor Huang Xiaoming, executive producer Wang Caitao, cinematographer Cheng Ma, and other key creative members were invited to Japan to interact with local audiences.

From left to right: Director Wei Shujun, actor Huang Xiaoming,

Cinematographer Cheng Ma, Executive Producer Wang Caitao

Directed by Wei Shujun and featuring a cast that includes Huang Xiaoming, Monya Lu, and Zu Feng, DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY tells a touching and uplifting story. It follows Wu You, a single young man, and his nearly seventy-year-old mother, Shen Liping, who are each other’s only support. When Shen suddenly falls ill, Wu believes that a heart open to shining sunlight will create miracles. Driven by this belief, he embarks on a journey with his mother to find the light they need. The film was nominated for the main competition section of the 26th SIFF Golden Goblet Awards, where it had its world premiere in June 2024. Huang Xiaoming’s remarkable performance earned him the Best Actor at the Golden Goblet Awards.

Poster of DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

On the evening of October 28, crew member of DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY stepped onto the red carpet of Tokyo International Film Festival, drawing significant attention from media and film enthusiasts. The international premiere here on the morning of the 29th captivated Japanese audiences with its heartfelt emotions and profound exploration of life's beliefs.

After the screening, a discussion session with the cast and crew was led by Shozo Ichiyama, chief curator of Tokyo International Film Festival. Shozo Ichiyama shared that he first saw DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY during SIFF in June and was immediately compelled to invite it to Tokyo. Audience members eagerly posed questions, sparking an engaging dialogue with the team of creators about the film's characters, visual aesthetics, and behind-the-scenes stories, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Prior to the post-screening discussion, Pan Min, Deputy Minister of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee’s Publicity Department and Director of the Shanghai Film Bureau, engaged in a friendly conversation with the crew. “SIFF World Express” is a program launched by SIFF in 2015 to promote Chinese films internationally. Utilizing its standing as an international competitive feature film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, SIFF carefully selects outstanding films from its competition and screening sections to showcase at various international film festivals, thereby facilitating their overseas distribution.

During Tokyo International Film Festival, Pan Min and his delegation also met with the organizing committee, Shochiku Co., Ltd., Kajimoto and other international film and cultural organizations to explore potential collaborations and exchanges.