Iranian film Bear won the Golden Goblet award for best feature film as the curtain fell on the 15th Shanghai International Film Festival at the Shanghai Grand Theater last night.

Directed by Khosrow Masoumi, the drama, based on a true story, centers on an ordinary couple who suffer from the trauma of war and struggle for a simple family life.

Masoumi's tragic family drama Tradition of Lover Killing was named the best feature film at the 7th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2004. He is the first filmmaker in the Shanghai festival's history to have won the top award twice.

"It's a big honor to win this award again," said Masoumi. "I hope next time I can be a jury member for this great film festival."

Russian stage actor Vladas Bagdonas won the best actor award for his impressive portrayal of both an artist and a father in his feature film debut The Conductor. "I'm lucky," said Bagdonas. "I like the decision that the jury panel made. I hope to come back to Shanghai again with my next film."

Mexican actress Ursula Pruneda, in The Dream of Lu, received the best actress award for her vivid depiction of a mother who goes through the sorrow of losing her child.

"This award shows that all my hard work has paid off," Pruneda said.

Chinese mainland filmmaker Gao Qunshu took the best director award for Detective Hunter Zhang, about one detective's dedication to catching thieves.

Japanese director/screenwriter Kenji Uchida received the best screenplay award for the comedy Key of Life.

Spanish composer Avshalom Caspi won the best music award for his score for Chrysalis, while best cinematography went to Chinese cameraman Shi Luan, who shot the biopic Falling Flowers.

Canadian director Micheline Lanctot's For the Love of God earned the Jury Grand Prix.

This year 17 films were in competition for the festival's top awards.

Architecture 101, a South Korean film about first love, closed the festival.

(Shanghai Daily June 25, 2012)