Meet-and-Greet with Golden Goblet Awards Jury Members | Giuseppe Tornatore- Led SIFF Jury Aims to Discover Cinematic Classics

On the afternoon of June 13, the jury for the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) was officially introduced to the media. Chaired by Giuseppe Tornatore, the panel includes Huang Bo, Yong Mei, Kiran Rao, Iván Fund, Thanassis Karathanos, and Yang Lina. The jury members expressed that it was exhilarating to appreciate and deliberate on the works of international filmmakers at a prestigious cinematic event like SIFF. They also shared their anticipation of discovering unexpected gems and hoped that the festival would contribute a few enduring classics to film history.

Seeking the "Ultimate Cinematic Fulfillment" in Shanghai

The afternoon press conference on June 13 drew a packed audience of media representatives. This year, the Golden Goblet Awards selection and the global call for entries received a record-breaking 3,900 submissions from 119 countries and regions. Among them, 12 films were selected for the high-profile Main Competition, 11 will have their world premieres, with 1 making its international debut.

"I’ve been to China many times, and each visit has left me with wonderful memories. However, I’ve never been to Shanghai before," said Italian director and screenwriter Giuseppe Tornatore. He shared that SIFF had invited him several times in the past, but scheduling conflicts had always kept him away. "This time, I made up my mind to come, no matter what, to get to know and experience this beautiful city." Yet, his deeper motivation for coming was the love of cinema. "As filmmakers, shooting films alone doesn’t give us the greatest sense of fulfillment," he said. "What truly brings joy and excitement is sitting together with fellow jury members, watching films created by filmmakers from around the world, and engaging in in-depth discussions about them."

Many international jury members also expressed their excitement about the journey to Shanghai. Argentine director and screenwriter Iván Fund said he was looking forward to the experience because "film allows us to understand the differences among people - we are embarking on a truly meaningful journey." Greek producer Thanassis Karathanos said he arrived in Shanghai with an "open and welcoming mindset," and that it was a great pleasure "to work alongside a renowned Italian filmmaker like Giuseppe." Indian director, producer, and screenwriter Kiran Rao, who was visiting China for the first time, said she was particularly fond of Shanghai’s cinematic atmosphere. Coming from Mumbai, she described SIFF as "a visual feast".

In contrast, domestic jury members and SIFF share a deep connection. In 2017, Chinese actor and director Huang Bo won the Best Actor Award at the 20th SIFF for his performance in the film The Conformist. Reflecting on his role switch this time, he emotionally remarked, "SIFF is a place where dreams are created, and it once made my own cinematic dreams come true." He also expressed his hope that his work this time would "help more filmmakers to seek their dreams." Chinese actress Yong Mei, who had previously participated as a guest in a forum at the festival, said she was "especially happy" to stay throughout the entire festival period. "I agreed to be a jury member because this is an opportunity for me to step out of just the performer’s perspective and listen to opinions from different angles, including those of directors and producers. This will guide me into a better, broader dimension in my thinking about cinema." Chinese director, screenwriter, and documentary producer Yang Lina, who had previously served as a jury member for the documentary section, also saw her feature film Spring Tide showcased at the festival. "After 27 editions, SIFF stands like a cinematic angel. Every year at this time, the festival arrives right on schedule at the Crowne Plaza Shanghai, welcoming filmmakers from all over the world," she said. "What the SIFF truly embodies is its core spirit: creating a platform where people can communicate and engage in dialogue through the medium of film."

Hoping SIFF Contributes Timeless Classics to Cinema

At every jury press conference of the festival, the judging criteria remain a focal point of public interest. While the jury members refrain from revealing specifics, they often offer memorable insights. "All the films that have made it this far are excellent and deserve to be congratulated," said Huang Bo. "What we’re looking for is a film that truly surprises us, something that makes our eyes light up." He added, "Our ultimate hope is that SIFF this year will leave behind one or more films that can enter the annals of film history."

As Jury President, Giuseppe Tornatore - whose film Cinema Paradiso has inspired countless filmmakers around the world - remained humble, expressing his desire to gain new insights from his peers. "Whenever I go to the cinema, I don’t want to bring any preconceived ideas or specific goals in mind. I don’t like that," he said. "What I truly look forward to is being surprised. When all the lights go out and we sit together in a dark theater, I am simply a member of the audience. I fully immerse myself in the film, trying to understand what it intends to convey. Only afterward do I hope that the film inspires me, that it teaches me something new."

While disagreements among jury members are inevitable, they generally view this as a positive thing. Huang Bo remarked that the greatest risk would be if all jurors approached films with identical criteria - that kind of uniformity could lead to severely one-sided results. He added that the diversity in jurors’ tastes "actually ensures the fairness of the final outcome." Iván Fund echoed this view, saying that such differences are part of the magic of cinema - "they give us the opportunity to celebrate our diversity and, at the same time, share our common ground." Kiran Rao said she feels genuinely excited "to hear voices from around the world," because encountering different perspectives and seeing unfamiliar settings "should naturally be the direction in which cinema continues to evolve."

The jury members expressed hope that they could reach more common ground in Shanghai and help bring outstanding films into the spotlight. Thanassis Karathanos shared that he always deals with things "with an open mind," emphasizing that there is no fixed formula or secret to success in cinema - "any commercial success comes from exploring your own creative potential during the filmmaking process." Yong Mei, who has brought many iconic roles to life, shared her perspective as an actress: "In the judging process, I believe the best performances are the ones that truly move people. If it touches the heart, then it must have real power and emotional impact."

Yang Lina offered a poetic take on what makes a good film. "Ten days from now, the festival will come to a close, and the audience will leave the cinemas. I wonder if what they’ll remember is the courage and kindness these films give us when we return to our real lives." Giuseppe Tornatore added that when watching films, each jury member brings their own perspective to the discussion, and their thoughts often collide and spark ideas. "The film that resonates most deeply with each of us - that is the one that deserves to win."

Following the press conference, the jury members will begin their intensive evaluation process to determine the winners of this year’s Golden Goblet Awards, including Best Feature Film, Jury Grand Prix, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and the Outstanding Artistic Achievement. All awards will be officially announced at the Awards Ceremony, to be held on June 21 at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.