7th Hainan film festival concludes with star-studded ceremony in Sanya

The closing ceremony of the seventh Hainan Island International Film Festival is held in Sanya on Dec 9. [Photo provided to english.sanya.gov.cn]

The seventh Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) drew to a spectacular close on the evening of Dec 9 with its grand awards ceremony at Phoenix Island, Sanya.

Marking the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, the festival served as a luminous celebration the past, present, and future of film.

The closing gala, commencing with the performance "A Date with Hainan", seamlessly blended artistic showcases with the prestigious Golden Coconut Awards. The festival demonstrated remarkable global reach, receiving a record-breaking 4,564 submissions from 119 countries and regions.

French acting icon and festival ambassador Juliette Binoche expressed her deep feeling of connection, stating, "Now I am also a member of this 'family'," praising the warmth of Hainan and the dedication of Chinese filmmakers. Jury president Marco Müller highlighted the festival's growing stature, calling it a "home" for film professionals from around the world.

The top honor, the Golden Coconut Award for Best Film, was presented to Black Rabbit, White Rabbit from Tajikistan. Argentine film Crazy Bill emerged as a major winner, earning Best Director for Joel Alfonso Bárguez and the Best Actress award jointly for its three female leads: Destiny Chécco, Johana Florentino, and Natalie Navarro. The Jury Grand Prix was shared by The Longing of Sangenhausen and I Am the Happiest Baby in the World," directed by Hong Kong's Lee Hong-chi.

In addition to the awards, the festival's program featured masterclasses, forums, and a focus on Thai-Chinese film exchange. Under the theme "The Ocean Vast, The Light Boundless", HIIFF continues to solidify Sanya's position as a vital hub for international film dialogue and collaboration.