After eight days of heated competition, the second Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) will conclude with a closing ceremony on December 8. 

Celebrated filmmakers from different countries have gathered in this tropical coastal city of Sanya in China's southernmost island province of Hainan. 2019 marks the first year of the "Golden Coconut Awards" in three categories: feature films, documentary films and short films. 

Sneak peek red carpet

The red carpet for the closing ceremony is star-studded. Two-time Academy Award-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi appeared on the red carpet. His works "A Separation" and "The Salesman" won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2011 and 2016 respectively. He is also the first Iranian director who won this prize.

"I met a lot of young talents," said Farhadi. He attended the Master Class during the HIIFF.

The cast of the Chinese film "Balloon"showed up with red balloons in their hands. The nominated movie was directed by award-winning director Wanma Tsaidan and was released at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival this year. "I hope I can have good luck tonight," director Tsaidan said when asked about his nominated work.

Renowned Chinese actor Wu Jing, who starred in the sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth" walked the red carpet. Other famous Chinese actors like Deng Chao, Shen Teng also met moviegoers on the red carpet.

Golden Coconut Awards

This festival has become an annual gala for filmmakers and actors globally. A total of 1,495 films from 80 countries and regions signed up for the festival this year, and 10 awards for on and off screen accomplishments were unveiled at the closing ceremony.

President of the jury, French actress Isabelle Huppert, addressed the opening and said cinema is her family, and although we are from different countries and cultures, when it come to our crafts and art, we become very united.

Colombian film "The Size of Things" won the Best Short Film award, followed by Indian documentary "About Love," which won the Best Documentary award.

Some winners were co-production in multiple countries, including the Best Children's Picture "1982" and the Best Screenplay "A son."

Let the 'balloon' fly higher

The movie "Balloon" topped the awards at the second Hainan Island International Film Festival, winning both Best Actress and Best Picture awards. The movie is based on the background of the one-child policy in China, tells a story about how condoms set off a series of misunderstandings. 

When awarded the Best Picture, the producer Zhao Xiaowen expressed her appreciation to Chinese audiences. She thanked the audiences for being a part to promoting the development of the film industry in China.

Other winners include Sami Bouajila from "A Son" and Ryuhei Matsuda from "Beneath the shadow," they won the Best Actor award together. Chinese director Wang Lina won the Best Director award for her production "A First Farewell." Other awarded Chinese films including "White Snake," which won the Best Artistic Contribution award.

The Special Committee Prize goes to 4K resolution film "At This Moment: Celebration of 70th Anniversary of National Day," which was produced with 4K ultra-HD picture and 5.1 surround sound. This film gives audiences a chance to enjoy live broadcasts on the big screen.

A total of 1,495 films from more than 80 countries and regions ran for the Golden Coconut Awards and over 200 films from 61 countries and regions were screened during this year's HIIFF.

After the closing ceremony, screenings will continue to take place on the south China island.

The film event has also attracted venture capital. During the event, the organizing committee has launched the H!Action and H!Market platforms, bridging cinema and capital. Several films have received funds ranging from 500,000 to three million yuan.

(Cover image designed by Li Wenyi)