The Shanghai Film Festival 2026 has officially unveiled the full jury lineup for its prestigious Golden Goblet Awards, setting the stage for one of Asia’s biggest cinema events ahead of its June return.
The 28th edition of the festival will run from June 12–21, 2026, with organizers confirming juries across five competitive categories, including the Main Competition, Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation, and Short Film sections.
This year’s lineup further reinforces the growing international stature of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), which remains China’s only FIAPF-accredited “A-list” film festival — a classification shared with globally recognized events such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.
One of the biggest highlights of the announcement is the appointment of legendary Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai as president of the Golden Goblet Awards main competition jury. Widely regarded as one of Asian cinema’s greatest actors, Leung’s involvement immediately elevates the international profile of this year’s edition.
Leung’s career spans several landmark works in world cinema, including collaborations with filmmakers such as Wong Kar-wai on films like In the Mood for Love and 2046. His presence as jury president signals SIFF’s continued push to strengthen its global cultural prestige while also celebrating major Asian cinematic voices.
Another major announcement involves Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen, who will serve as president of the Asian New Talent jury. Chen remains one of Southeast Asia’s most internationally respected directors after his debut feature Ilo Ilo won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013.
His appointment carries symbolic significance for the festival because the Asian New Talent section has long been designed as a launchpad for emerging Asian filmmakers making their first or second feature films. Industry observers view Chen’s selection as particularly meaningful given his own breakthrough emerged through the global festival circuit more than a decade ago.
Chen’s jury panel includes several acclaimed filmmakers and performers from across Asia. Indonesian director and screenwriter Kamila Andini joins the lineup following international acclaim for Yuni, which won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Chinese filmmaker Liu Jiayin, known internationally for the minimalist family dramas Oxhide and Oxhide II, will also serve on the jury panel. The inclusion of Liu further strengthens the artistic credibility of the section, particularly among arthouse and festival audiences.
Kazakh filmmaker Farkhat Sharipov has also been named to the jury after earning international recognition for Skhema, which won the Generation 14plus Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Rounding out the Asian New Talent jury is Taiwanese actress Wen Qi, who previously won a Golden Horse Award for her acclaimed performance in The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful.
According to festival organizers, the complete Golden Goblet jury lineup this year consists of 21 members from 16 countries and regions, highlighting SIFF’s increasing international scope and growing importance within the global festival ecosystem.
The festival also confirmed record submission numbers for 2026, with more than 4,100 entries arriving from 125 countries and regions. Organizers noted that world and international premieres account for approximately 82% of eligible entries this year, reflecting SIFF’s expanding global industry relevance.
Beyond awards competition, the Shanghai festival continues positioning itself as a major industry and cultural platform connecting Asian cinema with international markets. Organizers emphasized that initiatives such as the Asian New Talent section and the Belt and Road Film Week remain central to SIFF’s broader mission of discovering emerging filmmakers and encouraging cross-cultural exchange throughout Asia and beyond.
This year’s edition will also place a notable emphasis on technological innovation. SIFF recently launched an “AI Backlot” initiative exploring collaborative filmmaking models between traditional filmmakers and AI creators. Festival organizers revealed that nearly 500 applicants submitted projects for the program, with creators born in the 1990s and 2000s accounting for more than 60% of participants.
Over the past decade, the Shanghai International Film Festival has steadily expanded its influence within the global cinema landscape, increasingly attracting high-profile jurors, international premieres, and emerging Asian talent. With major names such as Tony Leung and Anthony Chen now leading its key jury sections, the 2026 edition appears poised to further strengthen SIFF’s position as one of Asia’s most significant film festivals and awards platforms.
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