 Departures received recognition at a variety of film festivals , including the Audience Choice Award at the 28th Hawaii International Film Festival , the Grand Prix des <unk> at the 32nd Montreal World Film Festival , and Best Narrative Film the at the 20th Palm Springs International Film Festival . Motoki was selected as best actor at several ceremonies , including at the Asian Film Awards , the Asia Pacific Screen Awards , Blue Ribbon Awards ; he was also viewers ' choice for best actor at the Golden Rooster Awards . At the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards , Departures was selected as Best Asian Film , beating three Chinese films and Ponyo . Following the 21st Nikkan Sports Film Award ceremony , in which Departures won Best Film and Best Director , Takita expressed surprise at the film 's awards , saying " I did not know how well my work would be accepted . " By December 2009 the film had won 98 awards . 
