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Juno Hong’s “Only the Moon Knows”claimed the Annual Focus award at SIFF Project, the project promotion component of the Shanghai International Film Festival. It also took home the Regent Presents “Cinematic Escapes”
Special Focus Award, worth 200,000 IHG One Rewards Points.
“I’m so excited and also got complicated feelings,” said Hong after the ceremony. “This is just a start, I still have a long way to go. I will do my best to make my film come true.”
Grouped in five sections, SIFF Project selected a total of 31 projects, labeled as new talent, genre, international co-production, pre-production, and work-in-progress.
The jury, led by Joan Chen and joined by Sam Quah and Ma Yili, presented the awards. “It is more than a glimmer in the white night; it is the purest kindness between strangers. Even in the deepest isolation, every soul deserves to be seen, and every spark can illuminate the dignity of life,” said Ma.
Besides Hong, there were four other double winners. Kaia Gao’s debut in-development project “A Room of Her Own” won the FunAge cash award worth RMB150,000 ($22,199) and SIFF’s Best Talent Project. “Mum” scooped the Most Creative Project and Regent Special Focus Award. “There Will Be Snow,” directed by Chen Jianying, walked away with Best WIP Project and Inbetween Award. “Murder Television,” the second feature of Jigme Trinley, clinched Best Genre Project and Regent Special Focus Award.
“Many filmmakers told me that the story concept actually came to them when they were at a low point. I was deeply touched to hear that because we, the filmmakers, should not expect to overcome your pain and struggle so hastily. We should survive and accept as it’s our treasure. You will all succeed,” said Chen.
The four-day event featured project presentations and WIP clip screenings, as well as one-on-one project meetings, bridging filmmakers with studios, post-production companies, and distributors.
SIFF Project Market 2026 Award Winners
Annual Focus
“Only the Moon Knows,” dir. Juno Hong
A Chinese girl studying abroad works the night shift at a local convenience store, where she meets an elderly homeless woman.
Best Genre Project
“Murder Television,” dir. Jigme Trinley, prod. Wang Lei
An absurd act of ‘murdering televisions’ leads Ahao to begin searching for the meaning of ‘existence’ amid the currents of socialization.
Best Talent Project
“A Room of Her Own,” dir. Kaia Gao, prod. Wang Jing
At 29, WEN Yue is offered an apartment, but on one condition: a room for her grandmother’s ashes.
Most Creative Project
“Mum,” dir. Zhou Jizhi, prod. Zhu Jiayi
A dead mother is reborn in a strange way, and once again takes complete control of her son’s life.
Best WIP Project
“There Will Be Snow,” dir. Chen Jianying, prod. Li Xiaoyuan
In a near-future frozen city, a dance teacher searches for memory, love, and her true emotional self.
Honorable Mention
“Don’t Move, Mom,” dir. Wu Boping, prod. Zhao Tengfei
To make a perfect marinated goose for her deceased mother, a girl embarks on a fantastical journey with a mysterious companion.
FunAge “Happy Together” Award – RMB150,000 ($22,199) cash
“A Room of Her Own,” dir. Kaia Gao, prod. Wang Jing
At 29, WEN Yue is offered an apartment, but on one condition: a room for her grandmother’s ashes.
Damai Entertainment Hina Award – RMB150,000 ($22,199) cash
“This Timeworn Land,” dir. You Xing, prod. Zheng Yue, Qiao Yanmai, Hu Mengchu
A blind woman returns to the flat she once escaped – a haunted borderland where memory, death, and her past unfold.
Phenom Films Award – 2 in-kind prizes worth RMB200,000 ($29,598)
“Ragtag,” dir. Huang Yucong, prod. Mortin Shen
A rookie director, a triad boss wanting to die on screen, stray Three Kingdoms heroes, and escaped script characters collide in a chaotic shoot no one can stop.
“Wintertime in a Small Town,” dir. Wu Chu & Gao Xiangyu, prod. Qian Yini
Faraway in a small border town, the disappearance of a female student unexpectedly disrupts the tranquil life of university professor Li Wenxiu.
Mofei Pictures Creative Sound’s Choice – in-kind prize worth RMB200,000 ($29,598)
“Grow Up,” dir. Gao Tong, prod. Zhu Yuheng
ZHOU Xiaohuan and three boys steal a car, head north with a monkey seeking northern lights – a necessary farewell.
Aputure Award – in-kind prize worth RMB300,000 ($44,398)
“Vestiges,” dir. Kio Qiu, prod. Lexie Zhao & Haina Zhou
Drawn from seclusion to serve the realm in chaos, LV An journeys to Luoyang with his wife XU – into ruin. Centuries later, their vestiges resurface.
Inbetween Award – 3 in-kind prizes worth RMB100,000 ($14,799)
“Outside the Room of My Own,” dir. Yan Siyu, prod. Peng Jin, Li Yifan, Xu Xiao
Worn down by Beijing, YUAN journeys home with her mother and grandmother as three generations face the road ahead.
“A Thousand Stars in the Galactic Night,” dir. Shu Hui, executive prod. Wang Hongwei, prod. Lü Hang
After her boyfriend vanishes, day laborer Ayue must face her hidden life secret…
“There Will Be Snow,” dir. Chen Jianying, prod. Li Xiaoyuan
In a near-future frozen city, a dance teacher searches for memory, love, and her true emotional self.
China Film Award – in-kind prize worth RMB300,000 ($44,398)
“Shortcut to Life,” dir. Wang Yucheng, prod. Sun Yuqi
An underdog’s shortcut through a success scam, from city vanity to border wilderness, becomes a fatal abyss.
Regent Presents “Cinematic Escapes” Special Focus Award – 3 prizes of 200,000 IHG One Rewards Points
“Only the Moon Knows,” dir. Juno Hong
“Murder Television,” dir. Jigme Trinley, prod. Wang Lei
“Mum,” dir. Zhou Jizhi, prod. Zhu Jiayi
