#China #Sanya #HIIFF #Golden Coconut #Hainan Island

The 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival Concludes with Golden Coconut Awards

On the evening of December 10, 2024, the 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) wrapped up after a week of showcasing cinematic artistry in Sanya, Hainan province, China. The awards ceremony, held on Phoenix Island, marked the climax of this annual celebration, where filmmakers from all corners of the globe gathered to share their work.

During this year’s HIIFF, a record-breaking 4,330 films from 117 countries were submitted, reflecting the diverse talent and creativity in the film industry. The highly anticipated Golden Coconut Awards honored outstanding achievements in various categories. Among the winners, Georgian filmmaker Tato Kotetishvili took home the prestigious Best Picture award for his film Holy Electricity. Meanwhile, Serbian director Emilija Gasic's 78 Days earned the Grand Jury Prize.

The ceremony also recognized exceptional individuals in the film industry. Laetitia Dosch was awarded for Best Director for her work on Dog on Trial, while Alberth Merma received the Best Actor award for Through Rocks and Clouds. The Best Actress accolade went to Preeti Panigrahi for her role in Girls Will Be Girls. Ruth Becquart and Leonardo Van Dijl were celebrated as Best Scriptwriters for their collaborative work on Julie Keeps Quiet.

Notably, the debut feature from Chinese director Dong Zijian, My Friend An Delie, won both Best Visual Effects and the Best Chinese Contribution of the Year, highlighting the local talent on the rise within the international festival landscape. In the documentary category, Chilean-Argentinian filmmaker Celeste Rojas Mugica's An Oscillating Shadow claimed the Best Documentary Film title, while Philippine director Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan's Vox Humana was awarded Best Short Film.

This year's festival also included unique initiatives aimed at nurturing young filmmakers. A new program named “HIIFF Talents” was launched to support upcoming directors in creating short films. Participants received valuable resources, including funding, free access to film sets, and mentorship from seasoned filmmakers, fostering a collaborative environment for creative growth.

In a historic moment for HIIFF, five leading domestic film and television companies signed licensing agreements for international distribution rights, marking a significant step towards international cooperation in film. Additionally, the festival expanded its outreach by organizing events like the Coconut Forum, various masterclasses, and film screenings featuring works from ASEAN member states. The festival embraced outdoor screenings, incorporating films into the beautiful natural landscapes across four cities and counties in Hainan, thereby providing audiences with an enriched cultural experience beyond traditional theater settings.

With the successful conclusion of this year’s event, the HIIFF once again solidified its status as a globally recognized platform for film in Asia, celebrating creative expression and international collaboration in the cinematic arts.

Looking ahead, film enthusiasts eagerly await the next edition of HIIFF, hoping for even more inspiring stories and breathtaking cinema that transcends cultural boundaries.