Overview
- Atlantic Rhapsody, which won the Golden Goblet for Best Feature on Saturday night, also took Best Cinematography for Hao Jiayue, marking a double win for debut director Zhong Kaifeng.
- The main competition also honored Yassine El Idrissi as Best Director and recognized Zhang Songwen and Khadija Amari as Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.
- SIFF reported a record roughly 4,100 submissions from 125 countries with about 82% of eligible entries screening as world or international premieres, underscoring the festival's growing global pull.
- Organizers highlighted the festival's focus on new talent through initiatives such as the SIFF Project, SIFF ING Young Filmmakers Program, and SIFF YOUNG support schemes that provided mentoring and project development for first-time directors.
- Alongside screenings and awards, SIFF put industry change on display with panels and demonstrations of AI tools, studio partnerships and funding pilots intended to speed production, restoration and commercial pathways for filmmakers.