Several Chinese-language films are making their world premieres at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), which runs until June 21.
The world premiere of both Keane Wong’s directing feature debut Afterpiece and Zhang Disha’s The Decisive Moment bookend the festival as the opening and closing film respectively.
Here, Screen profiles eight Chinese-language world premieres vying for the Golden Goblet Awards, including three from the main competition and five from the Asian New Talent competition for first and second feature films.
MAIN COMPETITION
Atlantic Rhapsody
Dir. Zhong Kaifeng
This fantasy drama is about a supermarket clerk who starts to experience strange occurrences after accidentally boiling the store’s shark alive. Compelled by inexplicable forces, he returns to his hometown of Shenyang after two decades where everything converges into a symphonic echo of fantasy and reality. The cast features emerging Gen Z actors Yin Fang, Wang Yitong, Li Xueqin and Huang Mee. It marks the feature debut of Zhong, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama. The project received three awards including most promising director at the Golden Rooster Film Project Market in 2022.
Contact: Rediance
The Great Skull
Dir. Liu Xiaoyang
This comedy drama follows a university student who has to cope with tedious funeral procedures and unexpected guests following her father’s sudden death. She must learn along with her mother to also figure out a way to secure their future. The cast is led by rising star Wen Qi from 2025 Berlinale Competition title Girls On Wire, Ni Hongjie and Yu Entai. It is the feature debut of Fuzhou-born Liu, who graduated from the Communication University of Zhejiang before completing a master’s degree at Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Contact: Cui Xiaodan, Maxtimes Pictures
Secret In The Box
Dir. Frankie Tam Kwong Yuen
Scriptwriter Tam’s solo directorial feature debut is based on the infamous cardboard box murder of 1974, which remains one of Hong Kong’s most controversial cases as the convicted murderer maintained his innocence for decades. Zhang Songwen and Patrick Tam head the cast along with Isabella Leong and Edan Lui. It is produced by crime master Philip Yung, director of Papa and producer of The Sparring Partner. Tam is president of the Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild with writing credits including Gallants and The Sparring Partner. He previously co-directed Undercover Punch And Gun.
Contact: Mandarin Motion Pictures
ASIAN NEW TALENT
Cassowary
Dir. Zhang Hanyi
This drama centres on three generations of women who live together on a remote island. Their quiet life begins to shift in subtle ways when a summer typhoon hits the island and brings back a woman who is in search of a cassowary from the ocean. Zhang, who was born in Shannxi Province, made his feature debut with 2016’s Life After Life, which premiered in Berlinale’s Forum before winning the Firebird Award in the Young Cinema Competition at Hong Kong and the grand prize at Tokyo Filmex.
Contact: Rare Pictures (Shanghai)
Dog Day Evening
Dir. Mak Tin Shu
Writer-turned-director Mak’s feature debut is a comedy drama about a frustrated customer who turns to taking hostages at a TV station when he cannot cancel his subscription. The cancellation is so complicated that even his captives fail to help after calling the hotlines. The ensemble cast comprises Yukki Tai, Michael Ning, Mak Pui Tung and Fish Liew, with Alvin Lam and Lau Ho Leung as producers. The Hong Kong release is scheduled for June 18. Mak is an award-winning screenwriter with Trivisa and Detective Vs Sleuths under his belt.
Contact: Universe Films Distribution
Her First Taste
Dir. Gong Yiwen
This feature debut portrays the bittersweet romance and shifting desires of youth through a coming-of-age story of a millennial girl and her first relationship with a boy. It was shot in cinéma vérité documentary style with a non-professional cast. Director Gong studied at Mount Holyoke College and New York University and was involved in the production and editing of Wang Xiaoshuai’s Berlinale 2019 prize winner So Long, My Son, executive produced by Qian Yini, producer of Her First Taste. The project previously took part in SIFF Project’s WIP section.
Contact: Qian Yini, Yiwen Films
No Hard Feelings
Dir. Liu Shichuan
Cinematographer Liu’s directing debut centres on two lonely strangers: a ride-hailing driver who channels his literary ambitions into a podcast and a health supplement promoter who uses a fake Korean identity to drive sales. When they are drawn to each other, they are forced to face the harsh reality behind their facade. Zu Feng, Wang Ju and Huang Xiaolei lead the cast. Liu graduated from the department of cinematography at the Communication University of China and has worked as director of photography on Unforgivable Sin and Haunted Road.
Contact: Beijing Tencent Pictures
Strangers In The Mountain
Dir. Wan Bo
This suspense drama follows two police officers who travel to a remote mountain to look for a man, who is suspected of murdering his wife several years ago. As new evidence emerges, the case is reopened, sparking memories of the missing woman. The project was previously developed in SIFF Project. Wan earned a Doctor of Arts from the Beijing Film Academy and is an associate professor at the Communication University of Zhejiang. His feature debut Qian Tang River premiered at 2024 SIFF and was a nominee at the Golden Rooster Awards.
Contact: Solitary Hill Film Hangzhou
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