SHANGHAI — June 2026 — Acclaimed documentary producer, director, and ARTeFACT Entertainment founder Han Yi served on the Documentary Jury for the 31st Shanghai TV Festival (STVF) Magnolia Awards this June, joining an elite panel of international filmmakers to evaluate this year’s standout non-fiction storytelling from around the globe.

As one of China’s longest-running and most prestigious international television honors, the Magnolia Awards drew a record-breaking submission pool this year, featuring over 1,000 entries across 60 countries and regions. The 15-member international jury comprised industry veterans from China, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Ireland, and Malaysia.

In the Documentary category, Han worked alongside Jury President Lorena Luciano, the award-winning Italian director and editor, and fellow juror Donovan Chan, the veteran Singaporean producer, director, and writer, to deliberate on the festival's top non-fiction honors.

From Magnolia Winner to Juror: Championing Cross-Cultural Non-Fiction

For Han, the appointment marks a full-circle moment. She previously won the Magnolia Award for Best Documentary Series at the 28th STVF for A Long Cherished Dream, a critically acclaimed series she produced that spotlights grassroots stories across contemporary China.

Holding a Master of Journalism from Canada’s Carleton University, Han has spent over two decades bridging Chinese narratives with the global documentary community through international co-productions. Her extensive production credits include internationally celebrated feature documentaries such as Last Train Home, China Heavyweight, In My Eyes, Rashomon Hong Kong and Better Angels—films that have garnered widespread recognition at major global festivals.

During the official Jury Press Conference on June 24, Han shared insights from her dual perspective as both a working filmmaker and a festival juror, addressing the evolving standards of documentary filmmaking and the keys to international distribution.

"The enduring power of documentary lies in sharp observation and restrained, honest storytelling," Han noted during the press briefing. "In today’s global media landscape, stories that are deeply rooted in local realities and capture the authentic texture of their time—while tapping into universal human emotions—always find a way to transcend cultural borders."

Crowning the Year’s Best Non-Fiction

The festival culminated on the evening of June 26 at the "Magnolia Blooming" Awards Ceremony. After walking the red carpet with the full international jury panel, Han took the stage alongside Lorena Luciano and Donovan Chan to present the coveted awards for Best Documentary and Best Documentary Series, concluding a week of intensive screenings and deliberations.

Han’s participation on the 31st STVF jury underscores both her longstanding contribution to international non-fiction cinema and ARTeFACT Entertainment’s ongoing commitment to developing globally resonant, cross-cultural film projects.