Tony Leung Chiu-wai, one of Asia’s most celebrated actors, has been named president of the jury for the Golden Goblet Awards at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. The prestigious Chinese-language cinema competition will take place from 12 to 21 June 2026. Leung’s appointment constitutes a notable distinction for the veteran performer, who has accumulated more than 100 film credits across four decades working with some of the world’s most celebrated acclaimed filmmakers, including Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee. The Golden Goblet Awards rank amongst Asia’s most prestigious cinema awards, with Shanghai staging the festival each year as a UNESCO City of Film.
A Iconic Career Spanning Four Decades of Excellence
Leung’s professional journey commenced in 1982, with his debut screen role arriving the following year. Over the subsequent forty-three years, he has cemented his position as a cornerstone of Mandarin film industry, consistently delivering portrayals of exceptional sophistication and subtlety. His collaborations with world-renowned directors have produced some of the finest works in modern film, covering diverse styles and artistic sensibilities. Whether navigating humour, dramatic or action roles, Leung has shown an exceptional ability to embody intricate roles with quiet intensity and emotional authenticity.
Among his most memorable roles is the melancholic Chow Mo-wan in Wong Kar-wai’s visually stunning “In the Mood for Love,” a performance that demonstrated his talent for communicating deep feeling through restraint and nuance. He also offered a memorable turn as the quick-witted Ouyang Feng in Jeffrey Lau’s “The Eagle Shooting Heroes,” and portrayed the conflicted warrior Broken Sword in Zhang Yimou’s “Hero.” These varied characters underscore Leung’s remarkable range and his talent for enriching every project he undertakes, garnering respect and admiration from both audiences and industry professionals alike.
- First screen debut in 1983 after professional debut in 1982
- Worked alongside Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee and John Woo
- Over 100 screen credits earned throughout 40 years of work
- Golden Lion awardee at Venice Film Festival in 2023 for career achievement
The Golden Goblet Awards and Shanghai’s Cinema Legacy
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, taking place between 12 to 21 June, constitutes a showcase for Chinese cinema at its finest. As a UNESCO City of Film, Shanghai occupies a uniquely significant place in the history of cinema, serving as the birthplace of Chinese filmmaking itself. The festival’s decision to appoint Leung as jury president underscores the event’s commitment to honouring artistic excellence and recognising the significant impact of cinema’s most accomplished practitioners. His leadership of the jury is set to elevate the festival’s prestige and reinforce Shanghai’s status as a world hub of cinematic achievement.
Leung’s appointment arrives at a moment of substantial cultural relevance, occurring alongside his status as one of cinema’s greatest living actors. His creative vision and artistic approach will undoubtedly inform the jury’s considerations and affect the selection of award recipients. The actor himself conveyed his excitement for the role, noting 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 profound connection between Leung’s creative heritage and the festival’s commitment to promoting outstanding cinema.
Asia’s Premier Sporting Event
The Golden Goblet Awards are among Asia’s most esteemed and competitive film prizes, attracting submissions from across the region and beyond. The awards recognise achievement across multiple categories, recognising outstanding achievements in directing, acting, cinematography and screenwriting. By appointing Leung to lead the jury, the Shanghai Film Festival has obtained a figure whose keen judgment and deep understanding of cinematic artistry will guarantee the preservation of their reputation for recognising and rewarding the finest contemporary filmmaking.
Iconic Performances That Transformed Cinema
Throughout his celebrated 40-year career, Tony Leung Chiu-wai has produced a series of performances that have fundamentally shaped Chinese-language cinema and secured international widespread praise. With over one hundred film roles to his name, Leung has shown remarkable versatility, effortlessly spanning comedy, drama, action and art cinema. His collaborations with some of global film’s most accomplished filmmakers—including Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee and Hou Hsiao-hsien—have produced some of the most notable and artistically distinguished films of the past 40 years, confirming him as an actor of unmatched depth and sophistication.
| Film | Character & Director |
|---|---|
| The Eagle Shooting Heroes | Ouyang Feng, directed by Jeffrey Lau |
| In the Mood for Love | Chow Mo-wan, directed by Wong Kar-wai |
| Hero | Broken Sword, directed by Zhang Yimou |
| Various Productions | Multiple roles with Ang Lee, John Woo and Hou Hsiao-hsien |
Leung’s depictions are distinguished by their remarkable interiority and emotional restraint, characteristics that have resonated profoundly with audiences across the world. Whether delivering the biting comedy of Ouyang Feng or capturing the quiet devastation of Chow Mo-wan, he delivers an uncompromising authenticity to every role. His skill in expressing sophisticated emotional depths through subtle gesture and expression has earned him acclaim extending beyond Mandarin-language cinema, establishing him as one of today’s film industry’s most acclaimed and significant actors.
International Standing and Impact
Tony Leung Chiu-wai’s contributions to cinema have crossed geographical and linguistic boundaries, earning him acknowledgement of his status as one of the most prominent actors of his generation. His work has enthralled audiences across the globe, whilst simultaneously earning the respect of the world’s most demanding filmmakers. The breadth of his artistic achievements has positioned him as a cultural ambassador for Chinese cinema, showcasing the universal power of subtle, carefully crafted performances to communicate across all borders and cultural contexts.
The pinnacle of his worldwide standing came three years back at the Venice International Film Festival’s 80th edition, where Leung became the first actor from China to receive the celebrated Golden Lion honour for career achievement. This accolade marked 40 years since his film debut and represented a significant turning point in acknowledging his profound influence on international film. Director Ang Lee, in his assessment, praised Leung as the calibre of performer every filmmaker wishes to partner with—an artist who fully dedicates himself to his art and elevates the contributions of those around him through his commitment and skill.
- First Chinese actor to win Venice’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement
- Collaborated with globally celebrated directors across multiple continents and film traditions
- Recognised as a cultural ambassador for Chinese cinema internationally
What Lies Ahead for the 28th Shanghai Festival
The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, taking place between 12 to 21 June, will benefit immeasurably from Leung’s stewardship of the Golden Goblet Awards jury. His appointment demonstrates the festival’s commitment to honouring artistic excellence and cultural significance in modern filmmaking. As a figure who embodies the finest aspects of Chinese filmmaking whilst preserving genuine international standing, Leung’s presence as jury president will lend considerable prestige to the competition and draw entries from acclaimed filmmakers worldwide pursuing validation from such a prestigious jury.
Shanghai’s status as a UNESCO City of Film and the birthplace of Chinese cinema makes it the perfect location for Leung to oversee 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 is set to celebrate outstanding achievements across varied film traditions. His experience and vision will ensure that the competition maintains its standing for identifying groundbreaking films that advance the art form and resonate with global audiences.