'Atlantic Rhapsody' Wins Top Prize as SIFF 2026 Golden Goblet Awards Announced

Chinese feature "Atlantic Rhapsody" emerged as the biggest winner at the Golden Goblet Awards ceremony of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival on Saturday night, taking home Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography.

Caption: Director Zhong Kaifeng (right, holding the award) joins the cast and crew of "Atlantic Rhapsody" on stage during the 28th Golden Goblet Awards ceremony.

Directed by Zhong Kaifeng in his feature debut, the film follows a supermarket employee who embarks on a journey through mysterious sounds in search of lost memories. Blending surrealism with experimental storytelling, the film explores the absurdity of human existence through a distinctive visual language.

Accepting the festival's top prize, Zhong thanked the festival, the cast and crew, and his family for supporting the project.

"This award gives a definitive affirmation to my directorial career so far, proving that persistent dedication to one's beloved profession will eventually reap rewards," he said.

The film's cinematographer Hao Jiayue also received the Best Cinematography award, further cementing "Atlantic Rhapsody" as one of the night's standout winners.

Moroccan director Yassine El Idrissi won Best Director for "Halima," marking Morocco's return to the SIFFl's main competition after 27 years.

"The success of this film also demonstrates that we can transcend cultural boundaries to share diverse stories, all of which resonate with universal emotions." El Idrissi said.

The film also earned Best Actress for Khadija Amari, whose restrained yet powerful performance impressed the jury.

Chinese actor Zhang Songwen claimed the Best Actor award for his role in "Secret in the Box," earning recognition for portraying the emotional struggles and inner complexity of an ordinary man."I have always been convinced that people should dedicate themselves to one profession throughout their entire lives, take pride in their work, and constantly strive for deeper expertise," Zhang said. "This award is a powerful testament to that belief."

The Jury Grand Prix was awarded to Belgian entry "Iluminada," praised for presenting an authentic and deeply human Latin American story.

Turkish filmmaker Reis Çelik received Best Screenplay for the Turkish-German co-production "Night of Blindness," while Germany-France co-production "The Miserable Mother" won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement award.

In the Asian New Talent section, Chinese film "Her First Taste" won Best Film, while its lead actress Ma Fufu took home Best Actress.

Thai production "9 Temples to Heaven" secured both Best Director for Sompot Chidgasornpongse and Best Actor for Sompop Songkampol.

Ridham Janve won Best Scriptwriter for the Indo-German co-production "Hunter's Moon," and Samiul Karim Shuptak earned Best Cinematography for "The Blind Girl and an Elephant."

The Best Documentary Film goes to Chinese documentary "Notes Unheard," while French animated feature "Lucy Lost," adapted from a work by acclaimed British author Michael Morpurgo, received Best Animation Film.

In the short film competition, Canadian entry "Sitting Bird" won Best Live Action Short Film and Belgian production "If Only" claimed Best Animated Short Film.