21st SIFF announces winners of Asian New Talent Award

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The winners of this year’s Asian New Talent Award were announced on Friday evening.

First established in 2004 with a mission to support emerging film talents in Asia, the award has always been a highlight of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF).

Chinese film "The Road Not Taken" took home the Best Film award. Directed by Tang Gaopeng, the film stars Wang Xuebing and tells the story of two adults and a kid who journeyed for three days together in the depths of western China's Gobi Desert.

The crew of "Best Film" -"The Road Not Taken", from China. /VCG Photo

The Best Director award went to Japanese director Youi Kiyohara for her film "Our House", which features two women in two storylines that cross paths and somehow dissolve into each other in the same old house.

"Best Director" Youi Kiyohara, from Japan. /VCG Photo

Ao Ieong Weng Fon from Macau won Best Cinematographer for "Blue Amber", a 97-minute film directed by Zhou Jie.

It tells the story of a kindergarten teacher who tries to avenge her husband after he was killed in a car accident. Ao Ieong said that he was indebted to China's New Wave filmmakers who provided him with a lot of inspiration.

"Best Cinematographer" Ao Ieong Weng Fon, from Macau. /VCG Photo

Shireen Seno, screenwriter of the Philippine film "Nervous Translation" won the Best Screenwriter award.

The film explores the inner world of an eight-year-old girl who keeps things to herself. Seno said nervousness usually comes from a disconnect between the inside and the outside and she wished the film could inspire more people to speak out.

"Best Scriptwriter" Shireen Seno, from the Philippines. /VCG Photo

The Best Actor and Best Actress awards went to Chinese Ding Xihe for the work "Looking for Lucky" and Iranian Negar Moghaddam for her performance in "Dressage".

"Best Actor" Ding Xihe, from China. /VCG Photo

"Best Actress" Negar Moghaddam, from Iran. /VCG Photo

Nansun Shi, a producer from Hong Kong and chairwoman of the jury for the Asian New Talent Award, said that it is always important to nurture new talents and encourage young people to keep working and become more professional.

Two Golden Goblet Awards - the highest prize at the Shanghai International Film Festival - for short films were also announced during the ceremony. Russian film "Tweet-tweet" won the Best Animated Short Film and "White Sheep in the Car" from China won the Best Live Action Short Film.