After showcasing over 190 films, the 48th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF48) announced the winners of the 15 Firebird Awards and FIPRESCI Prize, with A Journey in Spring, Snow in Midsummer and Sons taking the top prizes.
A Journey in Spring, co-directed by Wang Ping-Wen and Peng Tzu-Hui won the FIPRESCI Prize jury along with Best Actor award for Jason King.
Malaysian director Chong Keat-aun’s Snow in Midsummer was named Best Film for the Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language). The jury commended the director for “demonstrating extraordinary courage in recounting the traumatic experiences of Malaysian travelling players”.
Liang Ming took home the Best Director kudo with Carefree Days, and the film’s female lead, Lyu Xingchen, received the Best Actress award.
Of the eight films vying for recognition in the Young Cinema Competition (World) category, Swedish director Gustav Möller’s Sons was chosen as the Firebird Award winner; and Tunisian director Meryam Joobeur garnered the Best Director award with Who Do I Belong To. The Best Actor award went to Vangelis Mourikis, who expresses his complex feelings through silence in Arcadia; and Minna Wündrich was named Best Actress for Ivo.
In the Documentary Competition, the jury unanimously awarded the Firebird Award to Favoriten by Austrian director Ruth Beckermann, commending it for ‘reminding us how it only takes one person to make a difference for the next generations.’
Hong Kong director Wong Siu-pong took the Jury Prize with Obedience for showing the inseparable relationship between people and the society they live in. The Jury also decided to give a Special Mention to Intercepted by Ukrainian director Oksana Karpovych.
The 12-day HKIFF48 will conclude tomorrow, from 62 countries and regions.
Winners of 2024 Hong Kong International Film Festival award prizes
Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language)
Firebird Award
Snow in Midsummer
Chong Keat-aun
Best Director
Carefree Days
Liang Ming
Best Actor
A Journey in Spring
Jason King
Best Actress
Carefree Days
Lyu Xingchen
Young Cinema Competition (World)
Firebird Award
Sons
Gustav Möller
Best Director
Who Do I Belong To
Meryam Joobeur
Best Actor
Arcadia
Vangelis Mourikis
Best Actress
Ivo
Minna Wündrich
Special Mention
Pepe
Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias
Documentary Competition
Firebird Award
Favoriten
Ruth Beckermann
Jury Prize
Obedience
Wong Siu-pong
Special Mention
Intercepted
Oksana Karpovych
Short Film Competition
Firebird Award
The Meatseller
Margherita Giusti
Jury Prize
Shrooms
Jorge Jácome
FIPRESCI Prize
FIPRESCI Prize
A Journey in Spring
Wang Ping-Wen, Peng Tzu-Hui