China’s Prestigious FIRST International Film Festival Withholds Best Narrative Film Award For First Time, Celebrates Groundbreaking Talent in Other Categories

Xining, China – Spectators and participants at the prestigious FIRST International Film Festival were left in surprise when the best narrative film award was left unallocated, marking a first in the event’s history since it debuted in 2006. The decision underscored the jury’s commitment to only recognizing truly groundbreaking work in cinema.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Tibetan Plateau, the festival is known for its focus on avant-garde Chinese cinema. However, this year, the jury chaired by acclaimed director Guan Hu, found none of the contenders in the narrative category to rise to the level of innovation and excellence expected at the festival.

The festival made clear its intent through an official statement explaining the absence of a winner for the best narrative feature. The message highlighted a year observed to have stable and competent entries but none that surpassed the threshold needed for such high recognition. The jury’s rigorous standards reflect the festival’s aim to foster a higher stage of cinematic achievement and inspire future filmmakers.

More positive news emerged during the awards night held at the Qinghai Grand Theatre, where other filmmakers received honors in various categories. Among the winners was the Grand Jury Prize recipient Chen Yanbin for “Sailing Song of June,” a nuanced narrative set in Guizhou province, exploring themes of youth and rural life.

Director Jiang Yuzhi earned the Best Director award for “Shards,” a poignant exploration of a family in crisis during the Covid pandemic. “Fishbone’s” Huang Jingyi received the award for Best Performance, acclaimed for her portrayal of a teenage girl struggling with familial relationships.

Jiang Geng added another layer of creativity and earned accolades for Best Artistic Originality with the film “The Small Village,” a satirical look at an underfunded film crew endeavoring to execute a project. The festival also honored scriptwriting duo Huo Xueying and Zhang Yudi with Best Screenplay for their work in “The Midsummer’s Voice,” which gives voice to the lives of Peking Opera students.

Additionally, the Spirit of Freedom award was presented to Fu Zongsheng for his expansive four-hour feature “Chengzi_1,” detailing the evolving landscape of media bloggers.

Significantly, the festival’s commitment to supporting gender-focused narratives shone in the First Frame competition, particularly supported by Chanel. This section awarded the film “Unstoppable” by Xu Huijing, which follows Zhang Weili, the first Asian UFC women’s world champion.

Audience awards went to “Unstoppable” for best documentary and Jiang Yuzhi’s “Shards” for best drama, indicating both films resonated strongly with viewers, despite the main narrative prize remaining vacant.

This year’s jury decision sends a strong message to the film community in China and globally—innovation and exceptional creativity are prerequisites for recognition at the pinnacle of this esteemed festival. As the Chinese film industry continues to evolve, the standards set by FIFF suggest a promising, if challenging, path forward for filmmakers aspiring to make their mark internationally.