Tony Leung Chiu-wai Named President of Shanghai Film Festival Jury

Tony Leung Chiu-wai, among Asia’s finest actors, has been named president of the jury for the Golden Goblet Awards at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. The esteemed Chinese-language film competition will take place from 12 to 21 June 2026. Leung’s appointment constitutes a notable distinction for the seasoned actor, who has accumulated more than 100 film credits across four decades collaborating with some of the world’s most celebrated acclaimed filmmakers, including Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee. The Golden Goblet Awards stand among Asia’s most prestigious film prizes, with Shanghai hosting the festival each year as a UNESCO City of Film.

A Legendary Career Extending Over Four Decades

Leung’s career began in 1982, with his first on-screen appearance arriving the following year. Over the past four decades, he has established himself as a cornerstone of Mandarin film industry, consistently delivering portrayals of exceptional sophistication and subtlety. His work alongside celebrated filmmakers have created some of the finest works in modern film, covering multiple genres and creative visions. Whether navigating humour, dramatic or action roles, Leung has demonstrated an remarkable talent to inhabit complex characters with quiet intensity and emotional authenticity.

Among his most celebrated roles is the brooding Chow Mo-wan in Wong Kar-wai’s visually breathtaking “In the Mood for Love,” a performance that displayed his ability to express profound emotion through restraint and subtlety. He also offered a memorable turn as the wisecracking Ouyang Feng in Jeffrey Lau’s “The Eagle Shooting Heroes,” and embodied the troubled fighter Broken Sword in Zhang Yimou’s “Hero.” These diverse roles highlight Leung’s remarkable range and his capacity to enhance every work he pursues, garnering esteem and appreciation from both audiences and industry professionals alike.

• First screen debut in 1983 following professional debut in 1982
• Worked alongside Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee and John Woo
• Over 100 screen credits earned across 40 years of work
• Golden Lion winner at Venice Film Festival in 2023 for career achievement

The Golden Goblet Awards and Shanghai’s Cinema Legacy

The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, running from 12 to 21 June, represents a celebration of Chinese cinema at its finest. As a UNESCO City of Film, Shanghai occupies a distinctly important place in the history of cinema, functioning as the birthplace of Chinese filmmaking itself. The festival’s decision to appoint Leung as jury president underscores the event’s commitment to recognising creative achievement and acknowledging the significant impact of cinema’s most accomplished practitioners. His leadership of the jury promises to elevate the festival’s prestige and reinforce Shanghai’s status as a global centre for cinematic achievement.

Leung’s appointment arrives at a moment of significant cultural significance, occurring alongside his recognition as one of cinema’s finest contemporary actors. His artistic perspective and creative sensibility will certainly shape the jury’s deliberations and determine the awarding of prizes. The actor himself conveyed his excitement for the role, remarking that “Cinema is the art of dreaming, and Shanghai is the very vessel on which the Chinese film dream set sail.” This evocative expression embodies the deep link between Leung’s artistic contribution and the festival’s commitment to promoting outstanding cinema.

Asia’s Leading Tournament

The Golden Goblet Awards are among Asia’s most acclaimed and challenging film prizes, receiving works from across the region and beyond. The awards honour outstanding work across multiple categories, recognising outstanding achievements in directing, acting, cinematography and screenwriting. By selecting Leung to chair the jury, the Shanghai Film Festival has obtained a figure whose discerning eye and deep understanding of cinematic expression will guarantee the preservation of their reputation for recognising and rewarding the finest contemporary filmmaking.

Memorable Performances That Transformed Cinema

Throughout his distinguished 40-year career, Tony Leung Chiu-wai has produced a series of performances that have fundamentally shaped Chinese-language cinema and garnered international critical recognition. With more than 100 screen credits to his name, Leung has shown considerable versatility, effortlessly spanning comedy, drama, action and art cinema. His work alongside some of global film’s most creative visionaries—including Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee and Hou Hsiao-hsien—have produced some of the most acclaimed and culturally important films of the past 40 years, confirming him as an actor of unmatched depth and sophistication.

Leung’s depictions are marked by their striking inner complexity and emotional control, characteristics that have resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. In delivering the sharp wit of Ouyang Feng or capturing the quiet devastation of Chow Mo-wan, he delivers an unflinching authenticity to every role. His skill in expressing sophisticated emotional depths through restrained physical performance and expression has earned him acclaim extending beyond Chinese-speaking cinema, establishing him as one of today’s film industry’s most esteemed and impactful screen actors.

International Standing and Impact

Tony Leung Chiu-wai’s impact on cinema have crossed geographical and linguistic boundaries, earning him establishment as one of the most prominent actors of his generation. His work has enthralled audiences across the globe, whilst simultaneously securing the respect of the world’s most demanding filmmakers. The breadth of his artistic achievements has established him as a cultural ambassador for cinema from China, demonstrating the universal power of subtle, carefully crafted performances to connect across all borders and cultural contexts.

The pinnacle of his worldwide standing came three years back at the 80th Venice Film Festival, where Leung became the inaugural Chinese performer to receive the esteemed Golden Lion accolade for career achievement. This honour marked 40 years since his film debut and represented a significant turning point in acknowledging his substantial influence on world cinema. Director Ang Lee, in his tribute, praised Leung as the calibre of artist every filmmaker wishes to partner with—an artist who commits entirely to his art and elevates the performances of his colleagues through his devotion and mastery.

• First Chinese actor to win Venice’s Golden Lion for career achievement
• Collaborated with globally celebrated directors throughout multiple continents and film traditions
• Established as a cultural ambassador for Chinese cinema worldwide

What The Future Holds for the 28th Shanghai Festival

The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, taking place between 12 to 21 June, will benefit immeasurably from Leung’s leadership of the Golden Goblet Awards jury. His appointment demonstrates the festival’s commitment to celebrating creative achievement and cultural importance in modern filmmaking. As a figure who embodies the finest aspects of Chinese filmmaking whilst maintaining authentic global reputation, Leung’s presence as jury president will lend considerable prestige to the competition and attract submissions from celebrated directors worldwide seeking recognition from such a distinguished panel.

Shanghai’s status as a UNESCO City of Film and the cradle of Chinese cinema makes it the perfect location for Leung to direct this year’s awards. The Golden Goblet Awards rank among Asia’s most esteemed cinematic accolades, and with Leung leading the jury’s deliberations, the festival promises to celebrate exceptional accomplishments across diverse cinematic traditions. His experience and vision will guarantee that the competition maintains its standing for identifying transformative works that advance the art form and resonate with global audiences.