On the afternoon of December 3, 2025, the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) "Golden Coconut Awards" International Jury Meet & Greet was held at the Sanya Bay Mangrove Tree Resort World Convention Center. Jurors spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas made their first collective appearance, kicking off the seven-day cinematic celebration on the island.
Leaders attending the meet and greet and presenting letters of appointment to the jurors included Wang Lu, Director of the Film and TV Translation and Production Center of China Media Group and Secretary-General of the HIIFF Organizing Committee; Chen Jiyang, Executive Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Film Bureau, and Secretary-General of the HIIFF Organizing Committee; Zhou Chunhua, Member of the Standing Committee of the Sanya Municipal Party Committee, Director of the Publicity Department, and Deputy Secretary-General of the HIIFF Organizing Committee; Li Jiaohui, Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of the Hainan Provincial Party Committee; and Lu Jubo, Party Secretary and Chairman of Sanya Media and Film Group.
Wang Lu, Chen Jiyang, and Zhou Chunhua present letters of appointment to the feature film jurors
Li Jiaohui and Lu Jubo present letters of appointment to the documentary and short film jurors
The Competition Section of this year's Golden Coconut Awards continues to feature three categories: feature films, documentaries, and short films. During the 99-day global call for entries, a total of 4,564 works from 119 countries and regions were submitted. After multiple rounds of review, 14 feature films, 6 documentaries, and 10 short films ultimately stood out to make the Golden Coconut Awards shortlist. Over the next few days, the jury, composed of 13 domestic and international filmmakers, will select the final ten awards, including the Golden Coconut Award for Best Film, the Jury Grand Prix, and Best Director. In addition, this year's HIIFF has simultaneously added two special honors—"Jury Special Mention" and "Organizing Committee Special Mention"—in both the documentary and short film sections to recognize and encourage more outstanding cinematic works.
Feature Film Jurors
Balancing Mature Genres and Auteur Expression
The meet and greet was hosted by Xing Tianyu, Deputy General Manager of Sanya Golden Coconut Sea Film Co., Ltd. Jury President Marco Müller stated that Hainan's unique location and its December slot as the "year-end finale" allow HIIFF to serve as a premier platform for the year's global film selections and for discovering new Chinese-language films for the following year. He looks forward to leveraging this window to deepen cooperation between Chinese and international film markets.
Chinese actor Guo Tao values the balance between mature genres and individual expression. He believes that no matter how the environment changes, "content is king" remains timeless. He hopes everyone will hold fast to the frontlines of cinema, creating works that are rich in creative individuality while also attracting wider audience attention.
Taiwanese actor and director Lee Kang-sheng emphasized that the jury process is also a learning process. He adheres to the principle of "unique style, moving story" and encourages works that can bring him unexpected surprises.
Argentine director Mariano Llinás believes that a collective creation model centered on friendship is the key to resisting the homogenization of the assembly line. Young Chinese filmmakers can draw on the experience of the "Pueblo Group" to explore cinematic freedom through non-traditional narratives.
Chinese actress Mei Ting stated that an actor must first "return to zero" before integrating. Only by reaching the same narrative tone with the director and co-stars can a character truly unfold on screen.
Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun advocates for an audience perspective when making films. If a film can combine fun, emotion, and artistry, commercial appeal and auteur expression will naturally find their balance.
Chinese director Gu Xiaogang focuses on creative motivation. He tends to choose works that "love the world more" and looks forward to a local Hainan perspective making its voice heard through the festival at an early date.
Documentary and Short Film Jurors
Creating Time and Space
American director Renee Tajima-Peña pointed out that documentary filmmaking is not just about shooting; it is also an action related to the entire community. Documentaries allow us to unearth non-mainstream stories and fight for narrative representation for marginalized groups.
French director Sylvain George emphasized that documentary filmmakers should shoot films that are "urgent and necessary." Their mission is not only to record the world but also to state it and defend it, fighting for time and space for ignored groups.
Chinese documentary director Wang Yiyan stated that a documentary director's choice of subject needs to strike a balance between the tide of the times and individual destiny; the creator's reflection on a shared destiny is more important than grand narratives.
Chinese actress Zeng Meihuizi discussed her understanding of acting. In her view, acting allowed her to find what she truly loves and gave her the opportunity to share it with more people. At the same time, her years of acting experience have allowed her to truly feel and convey the power of passion, which is what makes acting irreplaceable for her.
The Maoyan ticketing section for the 7th HIIFF is now live. Tickets for films in the Competition Section and the Screening Section are now available. Please click below to enter the mini-program and purchase tickets. The Coconut Island cinematic rendezvous awaits you.
