2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception Launched

On the evening of February 17 (local time), the “China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception” was launched at the European Film Market in Berlin. This marked SIFF’s first overseas promotion event of 2025 and its return to Berlin after a nine-year hiatus. The event offered another perspective for global film professionals to gain deeper insights into SIFF and served as a gateway for exploring the Chinese film market and seeking filmmaking collaborations.

The reception welcomed over 150 guests, including long-time friends of SIFF, such as Jerzy Skolimowski, Polish director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and painter, who served as the Jury President of the 25th SIFF Golden Goblet Awards in 2023; Shozo Ichiyama, Tokyo International Film Festival Programming Director and a jury member for SIFF’s Asian New Talent section in 2010; Marco Müller, producer, scholar, and jury member for the main competition of Golden Goblet Awards in 2021; Florence Girot, FIAPF Festivals Senior Director; and Vivian Qu, director, screenwriter, and producer who was part of the 2023 Golden Goblet Awards’ jury panel. Also present were Chinese and international filmmakers, media representatives, and other esteemed participants, with oversea guests accounting for more than 90% of the attendees.

The scene at the China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception

The year 2025 has seen a stunning start for the Chinese film market. Data shows that the 2025 Spring Festival season (January 28 to February 4) achieved a total box office of RMB 9.51 billion, with 187 million moviegoers, setting new records for both box office and attendance during the holiday period in Chinese film history. By 9:14 PM on February 16, the annual box office (including the real-time presales) had exceeded RMB 20 billion, marking the fastest speed in Chinese film history to reach this milestone. Among individual films, NE ZHA 2 has smashed records time and again, sparking a global viewing frenzy. As of the event’s press time, its total box office stands at RMB 12.185 billion, temporarily ranking 9th on the global all-time box office chart.

Cao Yin, Deputy Managing Director and Deputy General Manager of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., highlighted the impressive performance of the most spectacular ever Spring Festival season in 2025, which has showcased the robust vitality and immense potential of the Chinese film market. She emphasized the enthusiasm and demand of Chinese audiences for quality films, which has created new opportunities and injected fresh momentum for more outstanding international films to enter China.

Cao Yin, Deputy Managing Director and Deputy General Manager of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd.

As the birthplace of Chinese cinema, Shanghai boasts rich film resources and is often hailed as the cradle of Chinese filmmaking. Despite its century-long history, Shanghai continues to thrive with its profound cultural heritage and geographical advantages, nurturing an ever-growing cinematic force. It has become a true “City of Film”, where tradition and modernity meet, and East and West intertwine. And standing at the forefront of global film development, it aspires to join filmmakers and audiences worldwide in a shared celebration of the “art of cinema”.

Founded in 1993 and accredited by FIAPF in 1994, SIFF is the first and only competitive feature film festival in China. As one of the world’s most influential film festivals and a prestigious cultural brand of Shanghai, SIFF, under the guidance of China Film Administration, has consistently provided a high-quality platform for global filmmakers to showcase outstanding works, seek partnerships, promote industry exchanges, and foster mutual understanding among civilizations, contributing to an open, inclusive, diverse, collaborative, and harmonious film development landscape.

The scene at the China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception

Against the backdrop of China’s transition from high-speed to high-quality film industry growth, the 26th SIFF in 2024 received over 3,700 submissions from 105 countries and regions, with 76% of Golden Goblet Awards entries being world premieres. The festival screened more than 460 Chinese and international films across 1,672 screenings, attracting over 495,000 viewers. The tradition of fostering connections through cinema remains a hallmark of SIFF, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere throughout the festival period.

As was announced by Cao Yin at the reception, the 27th SIFF will take place from June 13 to 22, 2025. The Golden Goblet Awards will uphold its professional standards, with competitions in five categories: Main Competition, Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation, and Short Films. She extended a warm invitation to global filmmakers: “We welcome everyone to join SIFF and experience the charm of the Chinese film market and the passion of Chinese audiences. Let’s drive the exchange and cooperation between Chinese cinema and global cinema together.” She also reminded attendees that the submission deadline for Golden Goblet Awards and International Panorama is March 31.

Cao Yin further noted that SIFF has long supported the theatrical and digital distribution of participating films in China, with many international films achieving remarkable box office performance in China. According to statistics, 15 films from the 26th SIFF, including THE SINKING OF THE LISBON MARU, PERFECT DAYS, LOOK BACK, and FLOW, have been released or scheduled for release in Chinese theaters in 2024. Notably, THE COLORS WITHIN, the Best Animation winner of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 26th SIFF directed by Japan’s Naoko Yamada, is set for release in mainland China on February 21.

The scene at the China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception

While focusing on bringing international films to China, SIFF also actively promotes Chinese films abroad. The Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance, initiated by SIFF in 2018, has expanded from 31 film institutions in 29 countries to 55 institutions in 48 countries. The member institutions of the alliance, with film as the medium, are committed to collectively charting a splendid blueprint for cultural exchange and cooperation in the cinematic realm. From 2018 to date, leveraging the film tour framework, over 50 Chinese films have been screened at international festivals, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.

The reception coincided with the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. Many friends of SIFF attended and expressed their anticipation for the future of the Chinese film market and the 27th SIFF.

Jerzy Skolimowski, Polish director, screenwriter, producer, actor, painter, and Jury President for the 25th SIFF Golden Goblet Awards in 2023

Jerzy Skolimowski, Jury President for the 25th SIFF in 2023, described Shanghai as a city brimming with magic, praised SIFF’s efforts in film selection, and highlighted the enduring friendships harvested there.

Shozo Ichiyama, Tokyo International Film Festival Programming Director and jury member for SIFF’s Asian New Talent section in 2010

“I attend the Shanghai International Film Festival every year,” said Shozo Ichiyama, noting that there is a long-standing partnership between the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival, with both festivals recommending films to each other. “Last year, we invited many stars and creators from Chinese films in competition to Tokyo, and our box office has seen significant increase.”

Marco Müller, producer, scholar, and jury member for the main competition of Golden Goblet Awards in 2021

“Every path in filmmaking leads to Shanghai,” commented Marco Müller. “If you want to connect efficiently with the Chinese film industry, then come to SIFF. If you arrive two or three days early, you’ll find young audiences lining up to buy tickets in front of the cinemas.” 

Vivian Qu, director, screenwriter, and producer who was member of the 2023 Golden Goblet Awards’ main competition jury panel

Vivian Qu reflected on her connection with Shanghai International Film Festival, which began with SIFF PROJECT in 2010. Joining SIFF again as a jury member in 2023, she saw many works from the new generation of filmmakers. In her view, SIFF is an influential platform for Chinese filmmakers to explore and grow.

The crew of GIRLS ON WIRE attended the China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception

This time, she brought her new work, GIRLS ON WIRE, to Berlin. “It’s a story about the power of young girls, and I hope these stories resonate with audiences around the world,” she said. She looks forward to more collaboration with SIFF in the future and wishes that Chinese cinema continues to present compelling stories that convey sincere feelings to global audiences.

Florence Girot, FIAPF Festivals Senior Director 

Florence Girot shared her thoughts, “Since its inception, SIFF has maintained a close relationship with FIAPF for over thirty years and has developed a strategic platform for the Chinese and overseas film industry to cooperate and to thrive to their mutual benefit.”

2025 marks the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. SIFF plans to commemorate these milestones with special screenings and thematic exhibitions that blend artistic excellence and popular appeal.

As a key platform for industry exchange and trade, SIFF MARKET will merge with STVF MARKET to form the upgraded “International Film & TV Market”. For the first time, this program will open to non-professional audiences. The brand-new International Film & TV Market will debut at the SIFF and STVF from June 21st to 25th. Featuring exhibitions, industry events, open-air bazaars, and other activities, it aims to attract crowds, enrich resources, and create a diverse, vibrant, and engaging marketplace. It will also serve as a major hub for film and television professionals to negotiate and trade, fostering the integration and efficient connection of the film and TV industries. By expanding public participation, the event will also actively promote interaction and meaningful exchange between the industry and the general audience. It is learned that the application for booths and events of this program was inaugurated on February 15 and will close on May 31.

The scene at the China Film Night - the 2025 Shanghai International Film Festival Reception

Attendees also watched SIFF’s promotional video at the reception and engaged in lively discussions on topics such as trends in the Chinese film market and global film industry developments. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, fostering deeper understanding and friendship among participants and paving the way for Chinese and international filmmakers to deepen cooperation, share achievements, and exchange experiences in the future.

Those who share the same vision will not be separated by distance. Through the art of cinema, we work toward promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. In June 2025, we look forward to welcoming more outstanding films and filmmakers to China and to Shanghai, the “City of Film”, for the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival. Together, let’s celebrate the magic of cinema in the city - watch great films, indulge in its culinary delights, admire its breathtaking sceneries, forge new connections, achieve new collaborations, and create a brighter future for global culture.