The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) concluded on June 22, 2024, awarding its top honor, the Golden Goblet for Best Feature Film, to Chinese director Zhong Kaifeng’s debut, Atlantic Rhapsody. The jury, led by Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, selected the film for its experimental narrative structure and visual execution, marking a significant win for independent Chinese cinema on the international stage.
Who Won the 2024 Golden Goblet Awards?
The main competition featured 12 films from 15 countries and regions. According to the official SIFF announcement, the jury distributed awards across a diverse range of global projects:
- Best Feature Film: Atlantic Rhapsody (China), directed by Zhong Kaifeng
- Jury Grand Prix: Iluminada (Belgium), directed by Nicolás Rincón Gille
- Best Director: Yassine El Idrissi for Halima (Morocco)
- Best Actor: Zhang Songwen for Secret in the Box (China/Hong Kong)
- Best Actress: Khadija Amari for Halima (Morocco)
- Best Screenplay: Reis Çelik for Night of Blindness (Turkey/Germany)
- Best Cinematography: Hao Jiayue for Atlantic Rhapsody (China)
- Outstanding Artistic Achievement: The Miserable Mother (Germany/France), directed by Susanne Heinrich
Why Did the Jury Choose Atlantic Rhapsody?
The jury, which included directors Guan Hu and Déa Kulumbegashvili, focused on finding films that offered creative "surprises." In their official statement, the jury praised Atlantic Rhapsody for its "bold experimental approach" to exploring the absurdity of human life. The film follows a young man’s journey through memories as he searches for his father, who migrated south during China’s industrial boom in the early 2000s.
Beyond the narrative, the film’s visual language proved decisive. By awarding Best Cinematography to Hao Jiayue, the jury highlighted the film’s "uniquely compelling visual experience," which they cited as a primary factor in their unanimous decision.
How Does This Year’s Selection Compare to Previous SIFF Festivals?
This year’s festival maintained a focus on balancing local Chinese productions with global art-house cinema. While Atlantic Rhapsody represents a breakout moment for a 29-year-old first-time director, the inclusion of established talent like Zhang Songwen—who received acclaim for his performance in Secret in the Box—demonstrates the festival’s ongoing effort to bridge the gap between commercial popularity and critical prestige.
The selection of Iluminada for the Jury Grand Prix continues the festival’s tradition of highlighting social realism, as the film depicts the challenges of life in the slums of Bogotá. Compared to the 2023 festival, which saw a heavier emphasis on post-pandemic recovery themes, the 2024 selection leaned more into stylized, genre-bending storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Golden Goblet Awards?
The Golden Goblet is the highest honor at the Shanghai International Film Festival, which is the only FIAPF-accredited competitive feature film festival in China.
Who headed the jury for the 2024 festival?
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai served as the jury president for the main competition, overseeing the evaluation of the 12 selected feature films.
Where can audiences see these films?
While the festival provides a platform for these films to secure distribution, many of the winning titles, such as Atlantic Rhapsody and Halima, will now move into the international festival circuit before seeking wider theatrical or streaming releases in specific territories.
Keep reading