The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is showcasing over 400 films from 71 countries this year, including virtual reality (VR) works for the first time. Managing director Chen Guo says the festival aims to use “cinema as a bond to deepen exchange and learning among global film cultures.”
Founded in 1993 in Shanghai—the birthplace of Chinese cinema—SIFF has grown into a major international festival. This year’s program marks the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th of Chinese cinema, featuring both classic masterpieces and innovative new works.
The special program Harmony and Coexistence highlights a century of dialogue between Chinese and foreign films. Other sections include Cannes Zero Time Difference, showcasing recent international titles, and classics like Sunset Boulevard featured in Tribute to Masters.
SIFF supports emerging talent through its “6+1” development system, providing training and mentorship for young filmmakers. New initiatives include producer roles in SIFF Young and a Genre Project category encouraging fresh storytelling approaches. Submissions have increased by 39%.
The festival also promotes international cooperation via the Belt & Road Film Festival Alliance, which has 55 members from 48 countries. The Belt & Road Film Week extends screenings and events beyond Shanghai to nearby cities.
Shanghai’s status as China’s top box-office city fuels high ticket demand. When sales opened on June 5, 92 films sold out within an hour. Opening day saw 430,000 tickets sold, with 119 films completely sold out. To meet audience enthusiasm, about 100 meet-and-greet sessions are planned.
Technology plays a growing role with SIFF’s first official VR film screenings and an Artificial Intelligence Generated Content section showcasing over 2,600 entries worldwide.
Collaboration with the China Writers’ Association emphasizes literary IP adaptation, including pitching events and roundtables.
The Golden Goblet jury includes 21 members from 13 countries, led by Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, reflecting SIFF’s international reach.
As a key platform for Chinese cinema, SIFF features many upcoming Chinese-language releases and industry events like the Chinese Blockbuster Parade.
Chen views Chinese filmmaking at a pivotal moment, with rising global interest following hits like Ne Zha. SIFF aims to strengthen its role bridging Eastern and Western film cultures while deepening cinema’s ties to Shanghai’s cultural landscape.
The festival runs from June 13 to 22.
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