What themes contributed to the success of Yihui Shao’s film, Her Story? How did The Last Dance reflect societal issues during the pandemic? What significant awards were highlighted at the 27th Far East Film Festival? How do the narratives of empowerment in the films from Greater China resonate with audiences?
Her Story, Yihui Shao’s feature dramedy that became something of a feminist phenomenon in China, scored another big win by securing the top prize at the 27th Far East Film Festival (FEFF), which concluded Friday night in the northern Italian city of Udine. The film, which grossed almost $100 million at China’s box office and inspired a thousand think pieces about its radical and refreshing themes, received FEFF’s Golden Mulberry Audience Award. Her Story stars Song Jia and Zhong Chuxi and tells the story of two single women who become neighbors, and despite their contrasting personalities and circumstances, become fast friends.
FEFF’s second most coveted audience award, the Silver Mulberry, went to Anselm Chan’s Hong Kong family drama The Last Dance. Like Her Story, The Last Dance was a box office phenomenon in its domestic market and is currently the highest grossing Hong Kong film of all time. Set during the pandemic, Chan’s film tells the story of a wedding planner who switches careers and gets involved in the funeral business and opens himself up to questions about the meaning of life. The Last Dance, which stars Dayo Wong, Michael Hui, Michelle Wai, and Chu Pak Hong, also took home FEFF’s Black Dragon critics prize.
The third place Crystal Mulberry went to China’s Like a Rolling Stone by director Yin Lichuan, securing a 1-2-3 for Greater China at this year’s FEFF. As with Her Story, Like a Rolling Stone is another strongly feminist, female-directed Chinese drama that tells the story of a middle-aged woman (Mei Yong) who escapes an abusive relationship and goes on a life-affirming road trip.
Elsewhere, the jury-decided White Mulberry prize, given to the best debut film, was awarded Diamonds in the Sand by Filipino director Janus Victoria, and the Mulberry for Best Screenplay Award went to Japanese psychological thriller Welcome to the Village by Jojo Hideo.
FEFF’s Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement was this year awarded to Taiwanese actress and singer Sylvia Chang and Hong Kong auteur Tsui Hark.
The awards ceremony closed the 27th edition of FEFF, which saw 77 films screened in Udine this year, including 12 world premieres, 22 international premieres, 23 European premieres, and 19 Italian premieres from 12 countries. In all, the festival says a whopping 65,000 people attended the various FEFF events in 2025.
“Never before have we so strongly felt the affection and closeness of the people of Udine and the city’s pride in the festival,” said FEFF founders Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche in a statement. “Yes, if we add up the number of audience members at the Teatro Nuovo theatre and the Visionario, we come up with a figure of 65,000 – but it would be truly impossible to count all the people actually affected by the Asian mood!”
The 27th edition of the Far East Film Festival (FEFF) took place from April 24 to May 2, 2025, in Udine, Italy. This annual event continues to be a significant platform for showcasing East Asian cinema to European audiences. The festival’s awards celebrate the diversity and creativity of Asian filmmakers, highlighting both emerging talents and established directors.
Audience Awards
The Audience Awards are among the most anticipated accolades at FEFF, reflecting the preferences of the festival’s attendees. The top three films in this category were:
- First Place: Takano Tofu by Mitsuhiro Mihara (Japan, 2023)
- Second Place: Confetti by Naoya Fujita (Japan, 2024)
- Third Place: Time Still Turns the Pages by Nick Cheuk (Hong Kong, 2023)
Takano Tofu is a poignant family drama that delves into the lives of a father and daughter running a tofu shop in a small town. The film’s heartfelt narrative and compelling performances resonated deeply with the audience, earning it the top spot. Confetti, a coming-of-age story about a young man navigating his identity within a traditional theater troupe, secured the second position. Time Still Turns the Pages, a Hong Kong drama exploring themes of memory and loss, rounded out the top three.
Black Dragon Award
The Black Dragon Award, also known as the Critics’ Choice Award, is presented to a film that has garnered exceptional praise from critics. This year’s recipient was:
- Bushido by Kazuya Shiraishi (Japan, 2024)
Bushido is a period samurai film that intricately weaves themes of honor, duty, and personal conflict, earning it critical acclaim for its storytelling and direction.
White Mulberry Award for Best Debut/Second Film
This award recognizes outstanding work from first-time or second-time directors. The winner was:
- Mimang by Kim Tae-yang (South Korea, 2023)
Mimang is a bold narrative that follows the serendipitous meeting of a man and woman who traverse a transforming Seoul together. The film’s unique storytelling and exploration of urban life resonated with both audiences and critics.
Mulberry Award for Best Screenplay
This award honors exceptional writing in Asian cinema. The recipient was:
- Citizen of a Kind by Park Young-ju (South Korea, 2024)
Citizen of a Kind is an action-comedy that follows a mother’s quest for revenge after falling victim to a scam. The film’s sharp dialogue and engaging plot earned it the best screenplay award.
Purple Mulberry Award (MYmovies.it)
This award is determined by the users of MYmovies.it, Italy’s leading film fan platform. The winner was:
- Takano Tofu by Mitsuhiro Mihara (Japan, 2023)
The film’s universal themes and emotional depth struck a chord with the MYmovies.it community, leading to its selection for this honor.
Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Mulberry)
The Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Asian cinema. This year’s honoree was:
- Director Zhang Yimou and Producer Chiu Fu-sheng
Zhang Yimou, renowned for films like Raise the Red Lantern and Hero, and producer Chiu Fu-sheng, celebrated for their collaborative works, were recognized for their enduring impact on the film industry.
The 27th Far East Film Festival not only celebrated the achievements of these films and individuals but also underscored the festival’s commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of East Asian cinema among European audiences. By highlighting diverse narratives and voices, FEFF continues to play a pivotal role in bridging cultural gaps and promoting global cinematic dialogue.
As the festival concluded, attendees and filmmakers alike looked forward to the next edition, eager to discover new stories and talents that will shape the future of Asian cinema.
The 27th edition of the Far East Film Festival is scheduled to take place from April 24 to May 2, 2025, in Udine, Italy. As of now, the festival has not yet occurred, so the winners for 2025 have not been announced.
In the previous edition, the 26th Far East Film Festival held in 2024, the following awards were presented:
Audience Awards:
- 1st place: Takano Tofu by Mitsuhiro Mihara (Japan, 2023)
- 2nd place: Confetti by Naoya Fujita (Japan, 2024)
- 3rd place: Time Still Turns the Pages by Nick Cheuk (Hong Kong, 2023)
Black Dragon Audience Award: Bushido by Kazuya Shiraishi (Japan, 2024)
White Mulberry Award for Best Debut/Second Film: Mimang by Kim Tae-yang (South Korea, 2023)
Mulberry Award for Best Screenplay: Citizen of a Kind by Park Young-ju (South Korea, 2024)
Purple Mulberry Award (MYmovies.it): Takano Tofu by Mitsuhiro Mihara (Japan, 2023)
- Life Achievement Award (Golden Mulberry): Director Zhang Yimou and Producer Chiu Fu-sheng
For the most current information on the 2025 festival and its winners, please refer to the official Far East Film Festival website or their official communications.