The Shanghai International Film Festival, originated in 1993, is hosted by the State Administration of Radio, Film & Television and Shanghai Municipal Government; and organized by Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film & TV and SMEG. Compared to other competitive feature film festivals accredited by FIAPF such as Cannes and Berlin, the Shanghai International Film Festival is much younger. After being successfully established, the festival was soon accredited by FIAPF as one of the competitive feature film festivals. Every year in June, this only international festival in China opens its curtains, and brings to you a visual feast of films.
As the birthplace of Chinese cinema, Shanghai, in a very long period of time, is another name for Chinese cinema. The films of Shanghai brought prosperity to the national cinema, along with abundant images for the hall of Chinese cinema. It could be said that the Shanghai International Film Festival has made a wish come true. Up to now, the Shanghai International Film Festival has already held nine editions. Every year in early summer, this international feast not only attracts many local film-lovers, but also gathers a bunch of celebrities from around the world.
Through the years, Shanghai had shown her infinite tolerance for whatsoever in the way. With inheritance to the Shanghai spirit, the Shanghai International Film Festival embraces diverse films of different cultural backgrounds and trends with enthusiasm. Up till now, the film festival has already attracted 4569 films from more than 60 countries and regions, from which, 1210 films were screened. The Shanghai International Film Festival is a yet to be opened Chinese Film Market, the only parade of world films within a year. Every year at this time, people from cities around Shanghai come to this land of films. For people striving for a way to review the whole year’s Chinese films and world films, this is an irresistible opportunity. Nowadays, every June, the nine-day Shanghai International Film Festival has already become one of the most important cultural sights in Shanghai.
A Date with Stars
The red carpet of the grand opening ceremony of the ninth Shanghai International Film Festival 2006 was shined with stars. World famous celebrities including Catherine Deneuve; Sigourney Weaver; Natasha Richardson; Liam Neeson and Mrs. Neeson; Andie MacDowell; Edward Norton; Hiroyuki Sanada; Yue-sai; Tan Dun; Jang Dong Gun; Zhang Guoli; Xu Jinglei; Chen Hao; Li Zi; Jackie Chang; Zhou Xun; Lin Zhilin; Zhou Bichang; the cast of The White Countess, and also production unit of the Banquet. All these stars came together to make the Shanghai International Film Festival a harmonious starry place.
The 2006 Jin-jue award was chaired by top-notch director Luc Besson, and co-chaired by renowned Chinese director Feng Xiaogang. Among the nine jury members, three of whom were Oscar winners. With Luc Besson’s authoritative position, Feng Xiaogang’s popularity and the strong influence of other jury members, the whole jury panel is no doubt international and authoritative; it is regarded as the dream team. World famous director Ang Lee attended the festival, spoke at the forum and received the Outstanding Contribution Award for this year. Another award, Special Artistic Achievement Award, was given to the all-time French star Catherine Deneuve.
A Date with Films of Fame
Numerous shining stars perfects the festival with glory, but the true focus of the film festival is the screenings of excellent films selected from hundreds of films. These films include art films, commercial films, low-budget independent films, and also with the join in of short films and documentaries, the international panorama becomes much more diversified and splendid. The enriching selection is able to fulfill the multi needs of foreign guests, film specialist, and of course the local mass audience. Screenings during the festival is different from the usual box office line of screening. Festival screenings fully display the diversity and ever-changing phases of films. The pureness and aesthetics of films are intensified, thus making it easier for people in persuasion of high quality life and artistic taste.
Multiple ways of ticket-selling brought convenience to the audience. Through online joint ticket sale among theaters, mobile selling, online selling, and grocery store ticket selling, the film market is promoted successfully. Different levels of pricing, commonweal and half commonweal screenings, student screenings, and special screenings for handicapped people, all of which are welcomed by the mass audience. This event attracts people of different ages and background, a total of 300,000 audience number is achieved every year.
A Date with People of Fame
As one of the traditional events, the “Master Class” under Jin Jue forum, is dedicated to the hatching and nurturing of new talents in China and the rest of Asia. This year, the forum focuses on the cooperation between Chinese, Asian films and foreign capitals and institutes. The forum sticks to its features of being international and opening. It will be further developed into a platform for exchange thus communicating the industry, the academy, and the media. Theme forums focus on the collaboration of China and the world, including Sino-European, Sino-U.S. film cooperation, collaborations on animated films or other forms of film. The three theme forums are discussed from both industrial and academic aspects. The forum is to start up its training function and to take on the responsibility to bring up new Asian talents.
Of course, while the world is filled with excellent films, the festival is determined to encourage and reward new Asian talents and set up the bridge to connect them to the world. Only with new talents filling in, can the world films develop further. Therefore, the Shanghai International Film Festival has established the Asian New Talents award dedicated to the creativity of the young Asian talents in hope of a better future for the film industry.
