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On the morning of June 20, the short film section of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival gathered the teams of nominated films for meet-and-greet. Known for their concise format, these short films offer creators ample freedom to experiment. Using unconventional styles, filmmakers have produced “off the beaten path” works that reflect their diverse perspectives on the world. This year’s selection includes 15 films: 10 live-action and 5 animated shorts, with 11 making their world premiere, 2 their international premiere, and 2 their Asian premiere. During the meet-and-greet, emerging directors shared insights into their creation process and inspirations behind their works.
Find inspiration in everyday life
HUSH, MY DEAR tells the story of a mother fighting for custody of her child, caught in a whirlwind of life and emotional turmoil following a child injury incident. Director Yang Xiaoman, a former journalist, observed conflicts among adults at playgrounds during her studies at the Beijing Film Academy. She aims to explore how women, from a female perspective, reconcile with violence and anger. “It’s a story of how an angry mother reconciles with herself, hinting at a mother’s personal growth.”
LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT SKY focuses on the complex yet familiar emotional bond between siblings. Mexican director Octavio Daniel Carreño draws from his own family to depict two generations searching for love and growth. “Despite the dark skies, stars still guide us home.” In the director’s growth environment, where women often adhere to parental control, he aims to convey that “even in an adult-dominated world, women can explore new realms and showcase their charm.”
Through imagery of summer beaches, yellow raincoats, girls, and puppies, PRINCESS ARIEL explores the poignant growth of adolescence. Directors Liu Zhiquan and He Xinyuan focus on a Hong Kong girl’s teenage years, creating a dream-like narrative to subtly address the theme of growing up. They avoid a dated feel by crafting a bright, lively atmosphere. “Teenage sentiments are always poetic; we hope the audience feels a sense of romance.” “Through this Hong Kong-style youth story, we aim to offer viewers a perspective on observing girls’ growth.”
SISTERS tells the story of two estranged sisters who return to their family estate after the elder sister’s death, dealing with estate matters and its sale, exploring the theme of whether blood ties or shared memories define family. Spanish director Jordi Sanz Angrill aims to convey to the audience that “despite different personalities, it is love among family members that enables mutual growth.”
THE EVENT HORIZON observes changing parental relationships through the eyes of children. Israeli director Shira Geffen, known as a director, playwright, actor, and author of eight children’s books, narrates a story of a family’s desert trip. The film portrays both “highly dramatic plots” and “many subtle emotional connections”.
THE NEW RED CAR similarly focuses on children within family dynamics. Director Yeung Tung sets the story in his hometown of Zengcheng, Guangdong, during the rapid economic development around the turn of the millennium. Growing up in such times, a generation often lacks communication with their elders. Based on observations and reflections, the theme of “family relationships in times of dramatic change” emerges.
Break away from the norm to seek a breakthrough in subject matter
DREAM ON centers on two unexpected encounters between fathers and sons during the Chinese New Year in a small northwestern town in the 1990s. Qingcheng, a recurring setting in director Zhang Dalei’s films, witnesses this unique reunion. Zhang aims to convey the theme of “children experiencing the persistence and hardships of adults” in these brief interactions. His other work, STARFALL was nominated in this year’s Golden Goblet Awards main competition at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
BEFORE ANYONE ELSE tells a tale of sin and evil based on director Tetsuya Mariko’s real-life experience living in Chicago for a year. The film depicts young people living on crime, who happen upon a child left in a car and decide to kidnap him as proof of their survival. Known for unique narrative techniques and strong visual impact, the director consistently explores themes of “what it means to truly live” with his consistent style in this short film.
GRANNY’S GOT A GUN presents a hilarious grandmother-granddaughter version of “Thelma & Louise”, starring Romanian female director Ada Dumitru alongside her grandmother. “My grandmother acts naturally, so we incorporate many family scenes into our creative process, which is a very joyful experience,” says Ada. During filming, both directors took on most of the work. Ana Ineni mentions that combining adventurous storytelling with her 85-year-old grandmother’s life aims to tell the audience that “one’s life has many possibilities, and changes can happen at any stage of life.”
PLACE UNDER THE SUN tells the story of a talented but overlooked pianist who ends up selling vegetables at a market. Vlad Bolgarin, the first Moldovan director to be nominated for the Golden Goblet Awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival, believes that “family reunion” is the theme the short film aims to convey. “I hope everyone can feel that family reunion is the most important, and living under the same roof ensures emotional health.”
Whimsy builds interdimensional universes
AQUATIC depicts a woman with a unique ability to nurture marine life. When the commercial value of her ability is discovered, the marine creatures she nurtured are taken away and sold, leaving her shattered amidst ongoing exploitation and plunder. Iranian female director Shiva Sadegh Asadi, whose previous work CRAB was nominated at the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival short film competition, says this short film originated from accumulated insights and discoveries during the creation process. “Like rearranging a puzzle, placing all pieces in different positions generates new ideas, and thus this film was born.”
FLOATERS is about the story of a woman who finds inspiration and joy through floaters but loses the enjoyment of life after being cured. Director Yuan Mocong gives the audience ample room for imagination, initially inviting many classmates to describe their perceptions of floaters. “I don’t want the film to provide viewers with a definitive concept; I hope everyone can have their own interpretations and reflections.”
GILBERT ingeniously constructed scenes with cardboard and plastics. This short film portrays a story of friendship. Directors Arturo Lacal, Alex Salu, and Jordi Jordi Jiménez, who met during a stop-motion animation course, spent three years completing this work. Jordi Jiménez notes that using plastic and cardboard as contrasting materials hints at both light-hearted and challenging moments in life. “We aim to express a poetic environment through the conflicts and contradictions of life; our lives will eventually be beautiful despite the difficulties.”
KILL THE HORSE, a Chinese-style dark mythology depicted in ink wash painting, tells a story of rediscovering faith. This film is director Guo Xiaoruo’s graduation project, inspired by a story told by elders in his family. By exploring the relationship between humans and horses, Guo Xiaoruo aims to present a tale of seeking faith. “Everyone will inevitably face such a question in life: establishing a new belief or destroying an existing one. The relationship between humans and horses reflects the relationship between humans and faith.”
THE BROOK THAT RAN BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN tells the story of Mountain the dog, the guardian of a mountain village, searches for love. The entire film is made with paper, and all characters are handmade. Director Alexandr Khramtsov is a veteran Russian animator who mentions that the hero symbolizes a traditional and indigenous rural spirit. It’s challenging for modern people to maintain their true selves in big cities, but the hero ultimately finds its love. He aspires to tell a hopeful story through this work.