City of Film: the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival
Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team
Image Credits: CHANEL, Shanghai INternational Film Festival, Daniel Wu
The jury panel of The golden Goblet Award main competition. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival.
Film is a potent medium that transcends borders, both geographically and culturally. It connects people worldwide, providing a unique lens through which to explore diverse cultural narratives. Filmmakers embed their works with cultural influences, perspectives, and themes, which resonate with audiences globally. The Toronto International Film Festival, a prominent event in our city, annually gathers immense talent from around the world. As travel becomes more accessible post-pandemic, the opportunities for enriching face-to-face exchanges are expanding, further fostering global connections.
After the Hong Kong Film Awards in April and the Cannes Film Festival in May, the spotlight turned to the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Opening on June 14th, this prestigious event spans 10 days and showcases 461 films from 64 countries and regions. Special programming includes French Film Week, Belt and Road Film Week, and Sci-fi Film Week, offering outstanding world cinema to enthusiasts. The Festival promises to be a city-wide celebration of cinematic arts, with celebrities decorating the red carpet.
Themed “City of Film,” the Opening Ceremony on June 15th highlights the enduring bond between film and Shanghai. The jury panel for the Festival’s main competition, the Golden Goblet Award, is led by the esteemed Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung 陳英雄.
During the Opening Ceremony, Chinese actor Huang Xuan 黃軒, Japanese actor Kôji Yakusho 役所廣司, Hong Kong director Andrew Lau 劉偉強, and Chinese actress Xin Zhilei 辛芷蕾 announced the 14 films nominated for this year’s main competition on stage, including A Man and A Woman by Guan Hu 管虎, Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Wei Shujun 魏書鈞, The Hedgehog by Gu Changwei 顧長衛, and Starfall by Zhang Dalei 張大磊, among others. The 26th SIFF will present awards such as Best Film, Jury Grand Prix, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress during the Awards Ceremony on the evening of June 22.
Explore the glamour from the Opening Ceremony below!
Zhou XUN, CHANEL Ambassador, wore a short flared dress in black organza with a chiffon bust covered with a starry night embroidery, look 39, from the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection. CHANEL Shoes. CHANEL High Jewlery
Xin ZHILEI, CHANEL Ambassador, wore a white tweed with multicolored touches short fitted jacket and a long skirt with a white silk tulle flounce, look 5, from the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture collection. CHANEL shoes.
The jury panel on Red carpet, including Tran Anh Hung, Rolf de Heer, Matthias Glasner, Santiago Mitre, Song Taijia, Tony Leung Ka Fai and Zhou Xun. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival
Daniel Wu on the Red Carpet. Image Reposted from Daniel Wu Instagram.
Deng chao and cast of “Brave new world” on the red carpet. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival.
Kōji Yakusho and Huang Xuan. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival.
eddie peng and TOng Liya on the Red carpet. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival.
Nick Cheung, Sandrine Pinna, and Marc ma on the Red Carpet. Image Credits Shanghai International Film Festival.
Explore a curated selection of arts and cultural events we've handpicked for you to experience this June. From pottery workshops to immersive installations, there's something for everyone. Plus, don't miss the traditional Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Festival 端午節) coming up next week, offering a rich celebration of Chinese culture and heritage!