{"id":127972,"date":"2025-05-03T15:28:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T15:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/far-east-film-festival-2025-complete-list-of-winners\/"},"modified":"2025-05-03T15:28:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T15:28:50","slug":"far-east-film-festival-2025-complete-list-of-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/far-east-film-festival-2025-complete-list-of-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Far East Film Festival 2025: Complete List of Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

What themes contributed to the success of Yihui Shao\u2019s film, Her Story<\/em>?<\/strong> How did The Last Dance<\/em> reflect societal issues during the pandemic?<\/strong> What significant awards were highlighted at the 27th Far East Film Festival?<\/strong> How do the narratives of empowerment in the films from Greater China resonate with audiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Her Story<\/em>, Yihui Shao\u2019s 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\u2019s box office and inspired a thousand think pieces about its radical and refreshing themes, received FEFF\u2019s Golden Mulberry Audience Award. Her Story<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

FEFF\u2019s second most coveted audience award, the Silver Mulberry, went to Anselm Chan\u2019s Hong Kong family drama The Last Dance<\/em>. Like Her Story<\/em>, The Last Dance<\/em> 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\u2019s 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<\/em>, which stars Dayo Wong, Michael Hui, Michelle Wai, and Chu Pak Hong, also took home FEFF\u2019s Black Dragon critics prize.<\/p>\n

The third place Crystal Mulberry went to China\u2019s Like a Rolling Stone<\/em> by director Yin Lichuan, securing a 1-2-3 for Greater China at this year\u2019s FEFF. As with Her Story<\/em>, Like a Rolling Stone<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the jury-decided White Mulberry prize, given to the best debut film, was awarded Diamonds in the Sand<\/em> by Filipino director Janus Victoria, and the Mulberry for Best Screenplay Award went to Japanese psychological thriller Welcome to the Village<\/em> by Jojo Hideo.<\/p>\n

FEFF\u2019s Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement was this year awarded to Taiwanese actress and singer Sylvia Chang and Hong Kong auteur Tsui Hark.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever before have we so strongly felt the affection and closeness of the people of Udine and the city\u2019s pride in the festival,\u201d said FEFF founders Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche in a statement. \u201cYes, 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 \u2013 but it would be truly impossible to count all the people actually affected by the Asian mood!\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Audience Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. First Place:<\/strong> Takano Tofu<\/em> by Mitsuhiro Mihara (Japan, 2023)<\/li>\n
  2. Second Place:<\/strong> Confetti<\/em> by Naoya Fujita (Japan, 2024)<\/li>\n
  3. Third Place:<\/strong> Time Still Turns the Pages<\/em> by Nick Cheuk (Hong Kong, 2023)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Takano Tofu<\/em> 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<\/em>, 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<\/em>, a Hong Kong drama exploring themes of memory and loss, rounded out the top three. <\/p>\n

    Black Dragon Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

    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:<\/p>\n