Gala Night | Dream Makers Gather in the City of Film

Cinematic splendor through ages, renewed with a new horizon. On the evening of June 14, the Gala Night of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) shone with cinematic luminaries. As the world celebrates 130 years of world cinema and 120 years of Chinese cinema, Shanghai - the cradle of Chinese cinema - became a luminous crossroads where global film traditions converged along the Huangpu River.

The Red Carpet of the Gala Night, renowned as “Asia’s Top Red Carpet”, dazzled with over 200 Chinese and international guests including Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Peter Chan, Lei Jiayin, Guan Hu, Da Peng, Ni Dahong, Chen Jianbin, Mei Ting, Zhang Ruoyun, Zhang Yu, Bai Ke, Yang Mi, Karry Wang, Ren Suxi, and Li Xian. The grand finale came with the appearance of the jury of the Golden Goblet Awards, led by director Giuseppe Tornatore, elevating this riverside celebration of cinema into a truly transcendent moment for the art of cinema.

The history of world cinema is etched with the tireless pursuit and enduring legacy of filmmakers across the globe. Following the dazzling red carpet, the Gala Night commenced with “SONATA FOR THE CITY OF FILM” - a symphonic tapestry weaving together the archival montage “SHANGHAI ON SCREEN”, an AIGC short “SILVER SCREEN ICONS MEET SHANGHAI”, and the choral symphony “SONG OF THE FISHERMEN: A SILVER DREAM”. This fusion of history and modernity allowed guests to witness over a century of cinematic technological evolution.

Each edition of SIFF’s Golden Goblet Awards commands rapt attention from the international film community. The jury members undertake their weighty responsibilities with meticulous dedication, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to the selection process before casting their solemn votes for films that truly resonate with them. At this year’s gala night, the juries for all five competition categories - Main Competition, Asian New Talent, Documentary, Animation, and Short Film - made their ceremonial entrance. Speaking on behalf of the jury panel, Giuseppe Tornatore, the acclaimed Italian filmmaker serving as Jury President of the Main Competition, delivered an impassioned address: "For us filmmakers, the privilege of experiencing and learning from cinema in such a magical atmosphere is truly extraordinary. That we can gather here to exchange perspectives with peers from around the world sends nothing less than a powerful message of peace and coexistence." Concluding with profound emotion, he made a stirring tribute: "To Shanghai! To peace! And to the eternal power of cinema!"

Across twelve decades, Chinese cinema has carried the dreams of a people, imprinted with the marks of eras and the spectrum of human emotions, giving birth to timeless classics that have both defined their age and warmed hearts. Singer Jane Zhang, joined by Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, presented “RENDEZVOUS IN LIGHT AND SHADOW” - a medley of “UNFORGETTABLE”, “ONLY FOR LOVE”, and “Painted Heart” - paying tribute to the luminous names and milestone works that have shaped China’s cinematic legacy.

Following this, actors Tony Leung, Ni Ni, Kara Wai, Zhu Yilong, and Leo Wu took the stage to announce the 12 films selected for the Main Competition. "The faith and courage in filmmakers’ hearts are like lighthouses," they reflected, "inspiring us to brave the waves and sail forward. Recognition from Golden Goblet Awards is the ultimate affirmation of such perseverance and dreams."

Shanghai: City of Film. Since its inception in 1993, SIFF has remained steadfast in its mission while pioneering industry innovation. This year’s opening film SHE’S GOT NO NAME held its world premiere after the gala night, with simultaneous special screenings across 150+ Shanghai theaters - a groundbreaking model that has captivated cinephiles.

At the gala night, the cast of SHE’S GOT NO NAME took the stage to perform iconic scenes, instantly transforming the venue into a live movie set. Director Peter Chan revisited Shanghai’s stories through this work, sharing emotionally: "Since childhood, I’ve heard my father say Shanghai was his dream city. After his passing, making a Shanghai-themed film became profoundly meaningful. I’m grateful to the cast for helping fulfill this dream." Zhang Ziyi added: "The film was shot on location at Zhapu Road, which is awaiting your visit after the screening." Together, they issued a commemorative movie ticket stub, inviting audiences to join the citywide cinematic celebration – "Where every citizen becomes part of the story, and the whole city shimmers with silver screen light." These humble ticket stubs carry dreams while serving as "new catalysts" for urban economic vitality.

Shanghai is hailed as the City of Film, where every frame captures life stories. This metropolis of cultural diversity and global influence is cultivating a distinctive humanistic ethos through the symbiotic dance of film and daily life—emerging as both a pilgrimage site for international cinephiles and a forge where silver-screen dreams are tempered into reality.