Shanghai in June has always been a well-deserved "movie city".
Poster of the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival
On June 14, the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival arrived as scheduled. As one of the most influential film festivals in Asia, it is not only a platform for practitioners to communicate and learn from each other, but also a reason for film fans and citizens to revel in ecstasy.
In fact, since the Shanghai International Film Festival released the Golden Goblet Award jury list and main poster in mid-May, the "festival" atmosphere in the movie city has been heating up day by day -
cinemas are ready, 47 in 16 districts of Shanghai The theater has updated the ticket exchange machine, upgraded the subtitle machine, and various customized exclusive peripherals and packages have reached a new level;
movie fans are ready, with thorough homework on ticket purchasing strategies and endless communication group information. Enthusiasm for watching movies is ready;
Filmmakers from all over the world are ready, they have brought carefully produced films, ready to share their creations and emotions with audiences and peers;
The industry is ready, with multiple shows covering the hottest and most painful moments at the moment Topic forums and activities will provide in-depth discussions on industry development trends and provide valuable insights into the future of the industry.
The entire city has been preparing for a date with light and shadow for a long time, and everything about the movie will emerge intensively within ten days.
Chinese-language films compete for glory, and diverse screenings show an international perspective
Movies are a window to the world. This year, there are 461 films from 64 countries and regions, including 70 world premieres, 48 international premieres, 81 Asian premieres, and 73 Chinese premieres. The number of premieres continued to grow, the richness of countries gradually increased, and overseas guests gathered together. World premieres and international premieres increased by 25.5% compared with last year.
" Hedgehog " poster
Among the 14 shortlisted films in this year's main competition, 12 have world premieres and 2 have international premieres. The four shortlisted Chinese-language films can be said to be a collection of famous directors, with three generations of old, middle and young people expressing their own opinions.
The fifth-generation director Gu Changwei's work "Hedgehog" tells the story of the struggle between individuals and the fate of the times; Mesozoic Guan Hu, who just received good news in Cannes, has brought a new work " A Man and a Woman "; Young director Wei Shujun, regarded by film critics as "a direct descendant of Cannes", also sent his new work to the Shanghai International Film Festival this time. The style continues to be relaxed, humorous and sharp; the main creative lineup of "Stars Are Waiting for Us to Grow Up" is Zhang Dalei. The super "Young Famous Directors Alliance" produced by the director, Wen Muye and Bi Gan...
Poster of "A Man and a Woman"
Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center Director Chen Guo introduced in an interview before the festival, "This year's main film The Chinese-language films in competition are very representative, including 50s, 60s, 80s and 90s, covering representative directors from different stages. "
In addition, Wang Xinrui's "My Mother's Pain and Me", Zhang Xuyu's "Fishbone", and Zeng Zhi's "Fishbone". "This Friday's Playground", Zhang Luoping's "Shelter Tower", Lu Dan's "Winter Traveler", Zang Lianrong and Xu Ruogu's "Every Year Safe", a total of 6 Chinese-language works were shortlisted for the Asian Newcomer Unit. The 11 works in this unit are all world premieres.
Among other Chinese works, Cao Liang's "The Royal Cat of Jinling" was shortlisted for the animation unit; "Searching Another Story" by Liao Yiling and Zhu Baiying (Taiwan, China), and "Aunt Hu's Garden" by Pan Zhiqi were shortlisted for the documentary unit; Zhang Dalei's The live-action short film "Why We Dream" was shortlisted for the short film unit. He is also the only director to have two works shortlisted for two competition units this time. The Chinese works shortlisted for the short film unit also include Yang Xiaoman's "Embrace", directed by Liu Zhiquan and He Xinyuan "A Good Day to Swim" (co-produced by Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan), Dong Yang's "Red Car", and Guo Xiaoruo's animated short "Kill This Horse". Yuan Mocong, the director of the British animated short film "Floaters", is also a Chinese girl born after 1995.
In addition to the participating films, "4K Restoration", "Tribute to the Master", "New Works by Famous Directors", "Film Festival Highlights", "World Premiere" and "Chinese New Style" and other screening units will bring the latest masterpieces of the international film industry to Chinese movie fans in different dimensions. .Choosing the most wanted and worth-watching movies among 450 movies is probably the most painful source of difficulty in choosing every year. To carefully create a film list can be called a comprehensive test of the movie fans' literacy, wallet, physical strength and time. .
"Belt and Road" Film Week
The "Belt and Road" Film Festival Alliance, initiated by the Shanghai International Film Festival, now has 55 institutional members from 48 countries, relying on the "'Belt and Road' Film" organized by the alliance during the film festival Week", the protagonists of 18 films from different countries will break through their inner constraints with a broad and determined spirit of exploration, and bravely embark on the "road of courage" in their lives.
coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the wonderful node of the China-France Culture and Tourism Year. The French elements in this film festival also have their own characteristics. Chairman of
Jinjue, Chen Yingxiong from France will give a master class. The themed film festival paying tribute to the French literary master Duras has also become a hot target for movie fans; the specially planned French Film Week selects the major French international films in the past year. The outstanding works at the festival show the audience the diverse perspectives and social aspects of contemporary French films.
The "Cannes Zero Day" section, which has been deeply loved by movie fans in recent years, is back with a strong return this year, bringing fans 15 freshly released films from the Cannes Film Festival. In the film market, film and television institutions and distributors from France participate in buyer salons and promote French film and television policies, etc., which will promote exchanges and transactions among all parties in the industry between Shanghai and friendly countries across the ocean.
Yaxin has borne fruitful results in the past 20 years, and the forum topics face pain and heat
The Shanghai International Film Festival is not only a stage for film masters to showcase their works, but also an important platform for new filmmakers to stand out. The Asian New Talent Unit, founded in 2004, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and continues to provide opportunities for Asia's emerging film forces to showcase and communicate through screenings, forums, awards and other activities.
From the creations of young people, we can see the changes in social development. In recent years, the quality of the films shortlisted by Yaxin is remarkable. Each film has keen insight and mature film vocabulary, expressing care and thinking about the times. The new director showed his talents through his works and aroused the resonance of the audience. The audience can experience the diversity and complexity of Asian social development while watching.
2024 Mini Film Unit Mentor Lineup
Adhering to the festival concept of "based on Asia, paying attention to the Chinese language, and supporting new talents", the Shanghai International Film Festival has formed a "6+1" ladder-shaped new talent cultivation system after thirty years of accumulation - Mini Movies unit, Golden Goblet Short Film, Venture Capital Training Camp, Film Project Venture Capital, Golden Goblet Asian Newcomer Unit, Golden Goblet Award and siff young x Shanghai Young Filmmaker Support Plan. During the film festival, the results of support at all levels will be displayed, and new blood will join the queue with the most sincere enthusiasm for movies.
20 students were shortlisted for the 2024 Venture Capital Training Camp
At the 20-year mark, many old friends from this year’s Asia New Awards will return. Yaxin's founder Shen Yang is on this year's jury list, and the award-winning films of the past years form a sincere retrospective screening unit; the Asian Film Salon will hold a series of in-depth dialogues and exchanges to discuss the development trends and future prospects of Asian films. The awards ceremony is a warm "trip home" for Asian filmmakers. It is not only a celebration of past achievements, but also a prospect and expectation for future possibilities.
Another section that has attracted much attention is of course the forum. The forum is a melting pot for the exchange of ideas and a vane for the development of film art and industry. Carefully planned topics closely follow the trends of the industry and not only demonstrate the importance of the Shanghai International Film Festival as an international film festival. The influence of the event provides profound insights and inspiration into the future development trends of the film industry.
"Film is a whole industry chain. The problems that Chinese films are facing can be discussed through forums, where the most professional people can gather together." said Chen Guo, director of the Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center.
's opening forum "The Road of Light and Shadow - A New Settlement" will set the tone for the film festival and explore new horizons for film innovation and diversity.The "Her Film Age - Embracing and Reinventing" forum cast the spotlight on the important role of women in the film industry and discussed how to further promote gender equality and diversity. "Asian Film Salon" will focus on how emerging Asian filmmakers push the boundaries of film art with their novel perspectives and creativity. "Integration and Symbiosis - Film and City Forum" will deeply explore the mutual influence and integration between film and urban culture. New changes in the distribution field are also the focus of the Golden Goblet Forum. "New Ecology of Film Distribution" will discuss how digitalization and new media are reshaping the film distribution and viewing experience. Emerging forces in the Hong Kong film industry will receive attention in "Extraordinary - The New Generation of Hong Kong Film Industry", where famous director Er Dongsheng will provide unique insights into the future of Hong Kong films.
The Shanghai International Film Festival Film Market, known as the "industry development vane" for film and television, will discuss the development prospects of the film industry with film and television institutions and film and television practitioners from home and abroad through exhibitions, market activities, market screenings, etc. The Jinjue Film Forum, where domestic and foreign film masters gather, continues to adhere to the creation and sharing of film art. The theme forums and master classes will provide guidance for current research and practice, future development and Innovation provides useful reference.
Many masters will open film schools
Let movies become a part of beautiful city life
This year's Shanghai International Film Festival pays more attention to the interaction with people in the city.
As an elaborate design that echoes the theme of this year's "City of Movies", all aspects of the city of Shanghai have "organically" joined the film festival industry. Whether they are local audiences in Shanghai or movie fans from other places attracted by the luxurious film list, the "difficulty in choosing" that audiences have to face this year is not just as simple as "too many movies".
Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center Director Chen Guo recently came across a post on Xiaohongshu saying, “Shanghai in June is full of movie flavor.” “We were very encouraged by what we saw, and we feel that our hard work for so long has not been in vain.”
You may not have thought that the movie you would miss watching this year might be the most popular "city walk" at the moment. This year's film festival launched the "Walking with Movies" city walking route, which selected three routes with different styles: modern Koehler, fashionable white phase, and theater phantom, connecting the film culture and historical context of the city of Shanghai, and providing a stroll for everyone. It provides readers with the opportunity to deeply explore Shanghai’s film art.
Starting from the glory of Da Guangming, the "No. 1 Cinema in the Far East", along the shadow of the sycamore trees on Huaihai Road, passing by the corner of the Cathay Cinema, witness the Chinese and Western style of the nearly century-old Lyceum Theater; or starting from Shanghai Cinemas, Explore the charm of century-old houses in Wutong District, pass through Metro City, where two-dimensional culture gathers, and arrive at a new cultural landmark integrating eating, drinking, and entertainment; or visit the Huangpu Theater, Majestic Theater, and Mall Theater in one go...Shanghai The journey of film culture will open a window for urban explorers to discover the charm of the city. I believe that every participant will find their own touch and surprise in the interplay of light and shadow.
"Walking with Films" City Walk
"We hope that the Shanghai International Film Festival will not only be a festival for filmmakers and film fans, but also a festival for citizens. Even if you don't watch a movie, you can still walk on the streets of Shanghai and feel the atmosphere of the entire movie city. . I hope everyone can slow down and feel the beauty of Shanghai while rushing to film appointments.” Chen Guo, director of the Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center, said, “It is a wonderful thing to live in Shanghai and be able to live here. Watching your favorite movies is also part of a beautiful life, and we hope that through our efforts we can help everyone create this beauty."
It is reported that the "Walking with Movies" city walking route, from its launch at the beginning of the month to the evening of June 12, has attracted more than 2,000 netizens to spontaneously upload various tips for going to the cinema, traveling around the cinema, and fast food in transition. There are more than 1,000 articles and more than 1.3 million interactions; the local lifestyle platform Dianping launched the "Cinema Chart" of 47 theaters at the end of May. In less than two weeks, movie fans "checked in" more than 10,000 times, with an average of one movie fan checking in. 5 theaters, and now it is waiting for more foreign movie fans to come to Shanghai to create their own "Shanghai Film Festival Running Map"; Xiaohongshu encourages movie fans to come to Shanghai to spend a "movie holiday" together, recording all kinds of interesting things in the movie city Encounter...
According to data from the official ticket purchase platform Taopiaopiao as of the evening of June 12, the 461 films of this film festival will be screened for a total of 1,624 times. The current number of tickets issued is 450,000, which has exceeded the total number of moviegoers last year. . About 70% of the movie fans attending this film festival are local movie fans in Shanghai, and 29% are from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Beijing, Guangdong and other places. It is expected that the number of foreign movie fans will increase this year, and the film festival will organize cinemas. After brainstorming, the results were unanimous, and theaters have used their own experience to provide more services to movie fans.
In order to allow overseas moviegoers to watch movies with peace of mind, many screening theaters, such as Shanghai Grand Cinema and Shanghai Majestic Theater, have tried their best. , fancl Art Center (Yihai Theater), Tianshan Cinema-Hongqiao Art Center Flagship Store, etc. 34 screening theaters have opened luggage storage services.
More screening theaters have opened luggage storage services.
At the same time, in order to facilitate movie fans to "catch up", Tianshan Cinema has opened luggage storage services. , Wanping Theater, Movie Movie Qiantan Taikoo Li Store, Jiushi·Shanghai Mall Theater, Duoyunxuan Dolby Atmos Cinema, etc. specially launch light snacks, pizza packages, etc. during the film festival, and many theaters Introducing catering discounts.
The experienced film arrangement "old master" Siyan Laowang has racked his brains to optimize the film arrangement plan round after round this year, and the returning citizen manual provides detailed information. Movie viewing guides and information have become a popular source of information for movie fans, which undoubtedly further enhances the fans' sense of participation and experience.
Citizen Movie Viewing Manual
Experience the modern trend of the city outside the screen, and experience the modern trends on the screen. Light and shadow can span hundreds of years. The specially planned "City·Light and Shadow: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of New China and the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Shanghai" selected Shanghai-themed works from different periods, including the new Shanghai-language version of " Crow and" Sparrow", " Sanmao Wanderings" released in 1949, the ingenious work " Village in the City" which recorded the lives of workers in the early days of Shanghai's reform and opening up, Jia Zhangke's themed documentary " Shanghai" created for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo "Legendary " and so on, telling the story of "Shanghai in the movie".
"Films record the past, show the present, look forward to the future, and confirm the context and path of urban development through movies." said Chen Guo, director of the Shanghai International Film and Television Festival Center.
In addition, while the Shanghai International Film Festival is a "foreign fan-friendly film festival", it also takes into account movie fans in the Yangtze River Delta to watch movies nearby. The film screenings of this year's "Belt and Road" Film Week will not only be held in theaters in Shanghai, but also in theaters in Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Hefei.
It is also worth mentioning this year’s “Future Cinema” unit. In the "Putuo Branch Venue", the screening of XR works is planned based on various imaging technologies such as AR, VR, and MR, which will bring more immersive interactive experiences to the public and broaden the boundaries and definitions of movies. Although it is not a traditional movie viewing way, but experiencing the infinite possibilities of watching movies in the future through new carriers is also an interesting attempt to open up the novelty of the "Magic City" Shanghai.
"Future Cinema" promotional poster
From the starting point of Chinese movies to the movie city carrying glory and dreams, the development of movies to the present has blended and symbiotic with the culture of the city of Shanghai. From June 14th to 23rd, the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival will kick off a grand carnival for filmmakers and movie fans in the moving scene where movies and the city complement each other.
