Shanghai, China — Esteemed filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for his Academy Award-winning film Cinema Paradiso, is taking the helm as jury president for the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Tornatore emphasizes the emotional resonance of films as he prepares to lead the selection process for this year’s Golden Goblet Awards.
During a recent media briefing, Tornatore expressed his approach to film judging, stating that he seeks a spontaneous emotional connection when watching a film. "Every time I enter a screening, I hope for a surprise that rekindles the wonder of cinema," he said. The director underscored that the decision-making process is straightforward: films must resonate with the hearts and souls of the judges.
Joining Tornatore on the jury are prominent members of the film industry, including directors Yang Lina and Kiran Rao, actor-director Huang Bo, actress Yong Mei, Argentinian filmmaker Iván Fund, Greek producer Thanassis Karathanos, and Indian director Kiran Rao. Together, they face the challenging task of choosing from a diverse lineup of twelve international films, selected from an impressive pool of 3,900 submissions.
Highlighting local talent, Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts, directed by Wang Tong, is generating considerable interest with its blend of noir drama and social realism. Other notable contenders from China include Cao Baoping’s comedy One Wacky Summer and Qiu Sheng’s domestic drama My Father’s Son, all competing for top honors.
As SIFF aims to showcase emerging talent and trends within Chinese cinema, the festival will screen around 60 Chinese-language films across various competitions, featuring world premieres and newly restored classics. The Golden Goblet jury is eager to delve into these artistic offerings.
Huang Bo commented on the significance of having three Chinese films nominated this year, praising the festival’s commitment to diversity. He noted that this broad representation leads to a more honest final outcome, comparing the process to tasting a variety of flavors in a single drink.
Several international films are also making waves, including Swiss director Nicolas Steiner’s magical realism piece You Believe in Angels, Mr. Drowak?, Poland’s Loss of Balance, and António Ferreira’s The Scent of Things Remembered from Portugal and Brazil. Each of these films presents unique themes and storytelling techniques that contribute to this year’s competitive landscape.
Additional films in contention include After the Fog, a Chilean-UK-French co-production directed by Miriam Heard, Kyrgyzstan’s Black Red Yellow, and Japan’s On Summer Sand. The impressive range showcases the artistic diversity and cinematic talent gathered at SIFF this year.
Kiran Rao anticipated rich discussions among the jury members, expressing enthusiasm for the selection of films that represent some of the finest global cinema produced this year. The challenge lies not only in selecting the winners but also in enjoying the wealth of narratives on offer.
The 10-day festival promises to immerse audiences in a vibrant array of films, reflecting both regional and international perspectives in storytelling.
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