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.
