As the curtain closes on another extraordinary year of Odyssey, the annual film festival celebrated the filmmakers and storytellers who have inspired, challenged, and connected audiences across the UK.
This year’s festival theme — #Sports — brought together stories of resilience, identity, and transformation. From Hong Kong’s mountain trails to the poetic stillness of Inner Mongolia, each film reminded us of cinema’s power to move beyond borders and speak to our shared humanity.
FOUNDER’S AWARD
Four Trails (2023) — Dir. Robin Lee
A breathtaking Hong Kong documentary that opened Odyssey 2025 and captured the heart of the festival with its raw portrayal of endurance and the human spirit.
BEST FEATURE
Like a Rolling Stone (2024) — Dir. Lichuan Yin
A lyrical and deeply personal portrait of life, love, and art — a film that moves like music and stays like memory.
BEST SHORT
Kill Ada (2025) — Dir. Kunyu Cai
Bold and innovative, Kill Ada redefines the language of short filmmaking with sharp emotion and cinematic precision.
BEST DIRECTOR
I Have No Legs, and I Must Run (2022) — Dir. Yue Li
For visionary direction and powerful storytelling that turns human limitation into cinematic poetry.
BEST INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Good Morning, Myself (2024) — Dir. Haibin Gao
A tender, cross-cultural reflection on selfhood and modern connection, reminding us that the most profound journeys begin within.
BEST UK–CHINA COLLABORATION
Bow and Rise (2025) — Dir. Jasmine Mok
An inspiring documentary bridging cultures and generations through the language of music, ritual, and rebirth.
BEST MADE IN UK FILM
Bow and Rise (2025) — Dir. Jasmine Mok
A remarkable achievement in independent UK-based filmmaking that highlights creativity, resilience, and the spirit of collaboration.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
To Kill a Mongolian Horse (2024) — Dir. Xiaoxuan Jiang – Cinematographer. Tao Kio Qiu
Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, this film captures the vast beauty and silence of the steppe with painterly grace.
BEST EDITING
Like a Rolling Stone (2024) — Dir. Lichuan Yin – Edi. Tingting Yan
For rhythmic storytelling and seamless emotion — editing that breathes like a heartbeat.
BEST SDGs CAMPAIGN COMMITMENT TO UN’S 17 GOALS
Tuva Youngster (2019) – Xinquan Zhang
A moving example of sustainable filmmaking and social responsibility, reminding us that cinema, too, can change the world.
