Malaysia-Singapore-Taiwan co-production Snow in Midsummer and Swedish title Sons took high prizes within the Young Cinema Competition on the 48th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Winners of the pageant’s 15 Firebird Awards and FIPRESCI Prize had been introduced at an awards gala held on the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Directed by Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat-aun, Snow in Midsummer was named Best Film (Chinese Language) within the Young Cinema Competition, with the jury commending the director for “demonstrating extraordinary courage in recounting the traumatic experiences of Malaysian travelling players.”
The characteristic revolves round a Cantonese avenue opera troupe throughout a turbulent interval in Malaysia’s political historical past within the late Nineteen Sixties. Cast consists of Wan Fang, Pearlly Chua, Rexen Cheng, Pauline Tan, Peter Yu and Alvin Wong.
Other winners within the Chinese-language class included the Best Director award for Chinese filmmaker Liang Ming for his movie Carefree Days, whereas the movie’s feminine lead, Lyu Xingchen received Best Actress. The Best Actor award went to Jason King in Taiwanese movie A Journey in Spring. Co-directed by Wang Ping-Wen and Peng Tzu-Hui, the movie additionally picked up the FIPRESCI Prize.
Gustav Möller’s Sons acquired the Best Film prize for the World class. The movie follows an idealistic jail officer (Sidse Babett Knudsen), who’s confronted with the dilemma of her life when a younger man from her previous will get transferred to the jail the place she works.
The Best Director (World) award went to Tunisian-American director Meryam Joobeur for her debut characteristic Who Do I Belong To.
In the documentary competitors, Favoriten by Austrian director Ruth Beckermann received Best Film, whereas Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Siu-pong took the Jury Prize with Obedience. Intercepted by Ukrainian director Oksana Karpovych acquired a Special Mention.
Italian filmmaker Margherita Giusti acquired the highest prize within the pageant’s quick movie competitors for her animation The Meatseller. The Jury Prize went to Shrooms by Portuguese director Jorge Jácome.