#China #Sanya #HIIFF #Golden Coconut

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

On the evening of December 10, 2024, the 6th edition of the Hainan International Film Festival (HIIFF) came to a spectacular close, after an exciting week-long celebration of film in Sanya, located in the southern province of Hainan, China. The event culminated in an illustrious awards ceremony held on Phoenix Island, where the much-anticipated Golden Coconut Awards were announced, recognizing outstanding contributions to the world of cinema.

Luc Besson, the renowned French director and head of this year's jury, presided over the ceremony. The award for Best Picture went to Holy Electricity, directed by Georgian filmmaker Tato Kotetishvili. It was a significant moment for the film, which received widespread recognition for its artistic merit and compelling storytelling.

In addition to the Best Picture award, other notable winners included 78 Days, helmed by Serbian director Emilija Gasic, which earned the Grand Jury Prize. Laetitia Dosch was honored with the Best Director award for her work on Dog on Trial. The actor Alberth Merma and actress Preeti Panigrahi respectively took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress for their impressive performances in Through Rocks and Clouds and Girls Will Be Girls.

The Best Screenplay award was shared between Ruth Becquart and Leonardo Van Dijl for their collaborative effort on Julie Keeps Quiet. My Friend An Delie, the debut feature of Chinese director Dong Zijian, won both the Best Visual Effects and the Best Chinese Contribution of the Year awards, highlighting the vibrant cinema emerging from China. Chilean director Celeste Rojas Mugica's An Oscillating Shadow was recognized as the Best Documentary Film, while Filipino filmmaker Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan's work Vox Humana was awarded Best Short Film.

The festival showcased an impressive array of talent, with 4,330 films submitted from 117 countries and regions around the globe. Among these submissions, a total of eight documentaries, ten short films, and fourteen feature films were selected for competition. The jury’s deliberations culminated in the awarding of ten prestigious prizes, reflecting the high caliber of entries this year.

In an exciting development for emerging filmmakers, the first-ever HIIFF Talents training program was launched, aimed at nurturing young directors by providing them with resources to create short films. Selected candidates gained access to funding, complimentary use of shooting locations, and expert guidance from established filmmakers.

The festival not only fostered creativity but also initiated significant advancements in international collaboration. During this year's festival, five national cinematic works secured international licensing agreements, marking a historic achievement in copyright transactions for the HIIFF.

Apart from the awards ceremony, the festival featured a rich program of events including the Coconut Forum, various masterclasses, a Spanish Cinema Week, and outdoor film screenings across four cities and counties in Hainan province. This initiative successfully integrated film culture into the natural landscape, providing audiences with a rich and vibrant cultural experience.

Thus, the 2024 HIIFF not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also emphasized collaboration and learning opportunities for filmmakers, ensuring a bright future for film on Hainan Island and beyond.