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| SIFF 2026 Full Winners List and Highlights: Big Wins, Surprise Results and Global Cinema Celebration. (Credits: Sohu) |
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) closed with a night of applause, surprise victories and a few results that immediately sparked debate online, as filmmakers from across the globe gathered in Shanghai for the prestigious Golden Goblet Awards. With more than 4,100 submissions from 125 countries and regions and an impressive number of world premieres in competition, this year's festival underlined why SIFF continues to grow as one of Asia's most influential film events.
The biggest winner of the evening was Chinese drama Atlantic Rhapsody, which secured the coveted Best Film award. The film also picked up Best Cinematography for Hao Jiayue, giving it one of the strongest showings of the night.
Industry observers had tipped several international contenders for the top honour, but Atlantic Rhapsody ultimately sailed away with the festival's most prestigious prize, proving that sometimes the home crowd really does have the loudest cheer.
One of the most talked-about moments came when acclaimed Chinese actor Zhang Songwen was named Best Actor for his performance in Screet in The Box. The award marks another major milestone in his career and was met with enthusiastic applause inside the venue.
Accepting the honour, Zhang reportedly told attendees, "Every role teaches me something new. This award belongs to the entire team that believed in this story." Social media quickly filled with congratulatory messages, with many fans describing the win as long overdue.
The Best Actress prize went to Moroccan performer Khadija Amari for Halima, a film that also earned Yassine Idrissi the Best Director award. The double victory cemented Halima as one of the standout productions of the festival.
Speaking after her win, Amari said, "This character challenged me in every possible way. To see audiences connect with her journey means everything."
Many viewers praised the film's emotional depth, while some online commentators joked that Halima seemed determined to collect trophies wherever it screened.
The international flavour of the competition was evident across the remaining major categories. Turkish-German filmmaker Reis Celik claimed Best Screenplay for Night of Blindness Saw, while Belgian production Iluminada received the Jury Grand Prix.
The Artistic Achievement Award was awarded to German-French film The Miserable Mother, a title that immediately caught attention online for sounding, as one user quipped, "like everyone's Monday morning in film form."
Short-form storytelling also received recognition. Belgian animated short If Only won Best Animated Short Film, while Canadian entry Sitting Bird took home Best Live Action Short Film.
French production Lucy Lost secured the award for Best Animation Film, and Chinese documentary Notes Unheard emerged victorious in the documentary category, highlighting the breadth of storytelling celebrated throughout the festival.
The Asian New Talent section once again showcased emerging voices from across the region. Chinese film Her First Taste won Best Film, while its lead performer Ma Fufu earned Best Actress.
Thai filmmaker Sompot Chidgasornpongse was named Best Director for 9 Temples to Heaven, with actor Sompop Songkampol taking the corresponding acting award.
Meanwhile, Ridham Janve won Best Screenplay for Hunter's Moon, and cinematographer Samiul Karim Shuptak was recognised for his work on The Blind Girl and an Elephant.
Reflecting on his achievement, Sompot Chidgasornpongse said, "Independent cinema often takes the long road. Tonight feels like proof that the journey is worth it."
His remarks resonated with many young filmmakers attending the event, who viewed the Asian New Talent section as one of the festival's most important platforms.
Beyond the awards, SIFF 2026 stood out for its scale and ambition. More than 420 films from 77 countries and regions were screened across over 1,600 sessions, while industry programmes ranging from technology-focused discussions to artificial intelligence initiatives highlighted the changing landscape of global filmmaking.
A special Egyptian Film Week, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, added another international dimension to the festival.
C-netz to the winners was varied, as expected whenever film awards are involved. Many fans celebrated Zhang Songwen's victory and praised the success of Atlantic Rhapsody, calling the results a strong showcase for Chinese cinema.
Others argued that some international contenders deserved greater recognition, while a number of cinephiles debated whether the Jury Grand Prix winner Iluminada should have challenged more strongly for Best Film.
In other words, the internet did exactly what the internet does after every major film award ceremony: celebrate, complain, analyse and somehow do all three at the same time.
Since its founding in 1993, SIFF has steadily strengthened its reputation as a major international film festival, and the 2026 edition demonstrated that momentum is only growing.
With record participation, a strong lineup of world premieres and a winners list that has already generated discussion among film lovers worldwide, the Golden Goblet Awards have once again placed Shanghai at the centre of the global cinema conversation. Which victory surprised you the most, and was there a film or performer you think should have gone home with a Golden Goblet? The debate is only just beginning.