Portuguese actress Madalena Cunha won Best Supporting Actress for the Portugal-France co-production Justa, which explores the emotional aftermath of the devastating 2017 wildfires in Portugal. At just 14, she became the youngest winner in the category in the festival's history. Overwhelmed during her first visit to Beijing, Cunha said she found the city "beautiful".

Best Cinematography went to Zhou Cong for his stunning lens in Embers, a film about a female cremator who mistakenly swaps two sets of ashes. Best Music was earned by composer Sten Sheripov for Supporting Roles, a Georgia-Estonia-Turkiye co-production that follows a once-famous star of Georgian cinema.

Outside the main competition awards, Hong Kong filmmaker and renowned action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping received the Lifetime Achievement Award. "Beijing is my father's hometown, so it feels like I am coming home too," said the 81-year-old filmmaker, with tear in his eyes. "This is the highest honor I have received in my entire career, and it will not be a full stop for me. I will keep fighting and moving forward."