Film Festival Jurors Tell What They'll Be Looking for in Award Contenders

Jurors for the Main Competition of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival's Golden Goblet Awards outlined their criteria for assessing the submitted films at a meeting on Friday, June 12.

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, who has served as a jury member at numerous international film festivals, will chair the jury panel for the Main Competition section this year. Having dedicated more than four decades to his acting career, Leung said he is now ready to embrace a new perspective and appreciate films alongside his fellow jurors.

Saluting the Shanghai International Film Festival as a highly significant event, Leung said he is delighted to participate in it as a member of China's film industry.

When asked about his overall judging criteria for this year’s films, he said he would not focus solely on any single aspect.

"I will approach every film with an open mind and fully appreciate each actor's performance," he added. "Only in this way can I form a more comprehensive judgment."

The jury for this year's Golden Goblet Awards comprises 21 members from 16 countries and regions, covering a wide range of professions including directors, producers, scholars, and actors. The diverse composition further enhances the festival’s cultural inclusiveness and global vision.

The Main Competition jury panel also includes Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, Chinese director Guan Hu, Kyrgyzstan director Aktan Arym Kubat, Georgian director Dea Kulumbegashvili, Mexican screenwriter Fernanda Valadez, and Chinese actress Xin Zhilei.

Kulumbegashvili, from Georgia, said she felt honored to be invited as a jury member and noted that this was her first visit to Shanghai. 

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me to watch and discuss films with fellow cinephiles," she said. "Beyond that, I’m looking forward to exploring Shanghai’s local culture during my free time, even if that just means wandering the streets and observing people’s daily lives."

Tunisian filmmaker Bouchoucha drew on her personal experience and background to call on audiences to set aside stereotypes of nationality or race when watching films, and instead seek the true essence that each film aims to convey.

Chinese director Guan Hu highlighted the role of films in cultural exchange and cross-pollination, expressing his hope that the selected works would present the lives and experiences of people from different countries and regions.

Screenwriter Fernanda Valadez then offered her definition of a good film. In her view, a touching film should be authentic and deeply rooted in its local culture.

Chinese actress Xin Zhilei echoed the idea that films need to move the audience and carry genuine expression. 

Serving as a jury member for the Golden Goblet Awards for the first time, she hopes to step outside the perspective of a pure performer and use this opportunity to engage with, and experience, cultures from different countries and regions.

Kyrgyzstan director Kubat, who won an award last year with his film “Black, Red, Yellow,” returns this year as a jury member. He frankly noted that the two roles bring completely different experiences.

“It’s easier to be a contestant, but harder to be a jury member — there are so many excellent films, yet the rules require us to make selections,” he admitted. “In the coming 10 days, we will work hard to make fair judgments so the contestants will accept our decisions.”

As an experienced director, he also advised young filmmakers to maintain a high level of spiritual dedication and conviction in the craft of filmmaking.

The Golden Goblet Awards ceremony will take place on June 20, when outstanding entries in various categories will be honored.