The Italian romantic drama "Kiss Me Again" won the Golden Goblet for Best Film on Sunday as the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival closed its curtains.

The film is a sequel to director Gabriele Muccino's own 2001 box-office topper "The Last Kiss." Billed as a homage to friendship and romance, it follows the group of friends from "The Last Kiss" a decade years later.

Muccino, who also wrote the story, won the best screenplay award, and Vittoria Puccini won the best actress award.

Although he was absent from the awards ceremony, Muccino had sent a thank-you message to the festival. "I'm deeply, truly honored to receive your awards for my movie," he said. "I tried to portray honestly what we go through when we are around 40... Your recognition is deeply appreciated also because it tells me how universal the theme of the movie can be. Thank you so much!"

The cast of "Deep in the Clouds" arrives for the closing ceremony of the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival at the Shanghai Grand Theater on Sunday, June 20, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Xie Tingting]

The night was dominated by "Kiss Me Again" and Chinese director Liu Jie's drama film "Deep in the Clouds" which took home the awards for best director, best music and Jury Grand Prix.

The wins came as a surprise because the media at the festival favored the other Chinese competitor, "Ocean Heaven," starring Jet Li. "Ocean Heaven" failed to win a single Golden Goblet award, but it was voted the best film by the media a day before the Golden Goblet awards ceremony.

"Ocean Heaven" director Xue Xiaolu (left) and cast member Wen Zhang arrive for the closing ceremony of the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival at the Shanghai Grand Theater on Sunday, June 20, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Xie Tingting]