Kangdrun’s “Linka Linka” claimed both the Firebird Award for the Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language) and the Fipresci Prize at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Kangdrun accepted the Firebird Award from guest presenter Juliette Binoche. The jury cited the film’s understated cinematic approach in capturing the liberties and uncertainties of youth, praising its exploration of the landscapes and cultural character of its Tibetan setting. The Fipresci jury independently selected the same title, recognizing its portrait of urban Lhasa and the Linka way of life, and commending a narrative structure that builds toward a smartly conceived conclusion reflecting on the instability of memory.
The remaining Chinese-language acting and directing prizes were distributed across four titles. Tan Si You claimed best director for “Amoeba,” with the jury recognizing the film’s synthesis of the contradictory textures of adolescence. Yu An-Shun took best actor for “A Dance with Rainbows,” while Ong Xuan Jing was named best actress for “Ah Girl.”
In the Young Cinema Competition (World) section, Markus Schleinzer’s “Rose” claimed the Firebird Award. The jury described it as a rare film that stays lodged in memory, calling it both eerie and brutally beautiful. Andrius Blaževičius earned best director for “How to Divorce During the War,” with jurors noting his integration of the personal and the historical. Edik Beddoes won best actor for “Blue Heron” and Sabine Thalau took best actress for “I Understand Your Displeasure.”
The documentary competition Firebird went to “Past Future Continuous,” co-directed by Morteza Ahmadvand and Firouzeh Khosrovani, for its portrait of exiled individuals barred from returning to their homelands. Yrsa Roca Fannberg’s “The Ground Beneath Our Feet” – set at Iceland’s oldest retirement home – received the documentary jury prize.
The festival is organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, which also runs the Hong Kong–Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Cine Fan Summer International Film Festival.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (CHINESE LANGUAGE)
Firebird Award: “Linka Linka” – Kangdrun
Best Director: Tan Si You – “Amoeba”
Best Actor: Yu An-Shun – “A Dance with Rainbows”
Best Actress: Ong Xuan Jing – “Ah Girl”
YOUNG CINEMA COMPETITION (WORLD)
Firebird Award: “Rose” – Markus Schleinzer
Best Director: Andrius Blaževičius – “How to Divorce During the War”
Best Actor: Edik Beddoes – “Blue Heron”
Best Actress: Sabine Thalau – “I Understand Your Displeasure”
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Firebird Award: “Past Future Continuous” – Morteza Ahmadvand and Firouzeh Khosrovani
Jury Prize: “The Ground Beneath Our Feet” – Yrsa Roca Fannberg
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Firebird Award: “God is Shy” – Jocelyn Charles
Jury Prize: “Robert and June (and all the time in the world)” – Jem Cohen
FIPRESCI PRIZE
“Linka Linka” – Kangdrun
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