27th Shanghai International Film Festival Reaffirms its Place at the Apex of Asian Cinema

The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) commenced officially on June 13, emphatically reaffirming its status as the premier international platform for Chinese-language cinema. This year, the festival has scaled its outreach, utilizing 43 cinemas across Shanghai and an additional five venues throughout the Yangtze River Delta region. The expansive program features more than 400 films from 71 countries and regions, culminating in approximately 1,500 total screenings. The much-anticipated Golden Goblet Awards will conclude the festival by announcing their winners on June 21.

The festival’s global reach and commitment to cultural diversity were immediately apparent on June 13, when the complete international jury for the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition appeared together on stage. The jury represents 13 countries and regions spanning Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. World-renowned Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, who chairs the Main Competition jury panel, shared his high expectations for the selection, stating: “Film is the love of everyone and I hope these selected movies can really surprise and enchant me. I think the best of these works are sure to touch the hearts of each jury member.”

SIFF offers a symphonic program that harmonizes classic works with contemporary cinema, drawing from both domestic and international sources, and features nearly 40 different specialized sections for film enthusiasts. The appetite for this year’s lineup was immense: on the day general tickets went on sale, more than 1,500 screenings of over 400 films—with approximately 30 percent presented in 4K resolution—were made available, and 92 films, accounting for over 600 showings, sold out almost instantly.

The demand from filmgoers proved overwhelming, prompting SIFF to open ticket sales for an additional seven new screenings at noon on June 11. By that point, ticket sales had already reached 459,600, achieving a record-breaking sell-out rate of 73 percent. Significantly, more than 30 percent of the attendees were documented as traveling from outside Shanghai. Demonstrating a unique fusion of suspense and enthusiasm, the screening featuring the Golden Goblet Best Director winner sold out in a mere 26 seconds, despite the winner not being announced yet, leaving those filmgoers eager to discover the identity of the work they had secured tickets for.

The festival’s glamour was on full display during the red-carpet event, which attracted over 200 distinguished guests from around the world along the Huangpu River, offering audiences a captivating visual feast. The opening film’s crew, She’s Got No Name, was present alongside the creative teams behind upcoming summer blockbusters, including Dongji Island, A Cool Fish, The Litchi Road, and The Shadow’s Edge. They were joined by nominees from both the Golden Goblet main competition and the Asian New Talent Award. More than 200 international stars, including the Golden Goblet Awards judges, are scheduled to gather again by the Huangpu River on the evening of the 14th. Further spotlighting domestic cinema, the 2025 Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase will highlight major Chinese productions on June 17.

The full international jury comprises 21 members from around the globe. Miriam Heard, a participating director whose film After the Fog is a finalist, shared a touching personal connection to her journey, noting: “My father visited China in 1975 and always dreamed of returning. He passed away recently, and I had the chance to show him the final cut of this film. I dedicate this movie — and my journey to China — to his memory.” This year’s Golden Goblet Main Competition notably features three Latin American films—After the Fog, Cyclone, and The Reborn—a festival first. The program also spotlights the UK and Turkey with dedicated national focuses.

Chen Guo, Managing Director of the Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center, expressed optimism for the future of the nation’s cinema, stating: “I am truly gratified to see young creators infusing Chinese cinema with fresh perspectives and innovative expressions, bringing it vibrant new life. Through our diverse support mechanisms and platforms, these talented individuals not only find opportunities to showcase their work but also amplify their voices globally, promoting the international spread of contemporary China’s multiculturalism and social transformations. I deeply value the mission of connecting Chinese cinema with the global film community, helping Chinese films gain an increasingly significant presence on the world stage.”

The festival's business component, the International Film & TV Market, is slated to be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from June 21 to 25. It is expected to draw 200 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, showcasing cutting-edge technology and collaboration opportunities. In a move to broaden industry access, the newly launched International Film & TV Market area will be open to the public free of charge for the first time.