Year of Challenges for Film Industry as Curtain Set to Rise on SIFF

While last year\'s film box office returns soared in China to more than 13 billion yuan (US$2.1 billion), new challenges and opportunities loom for Chinese cinema with a bigger influx of blockbuster Hollywood movies. A total of 34 American films will hit Chinese mainland screens this year, a substantial increase from the previous limit of 20.

Against the backdrop of these changes, this year\'s SIFF will provide a platform that film veterans and newcomers can\'t afford to miss, offering investment and new collaboration possibilities as well as inspiration for new film projects.

Since its debut in 1993, the only A-category international film festival in China has made remarkable contributions to the innovation and development of the Chinese film industry.The event, according to the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, is fast-growing and eye-catching, surpassing other Asian festivals in scale, growth and vitality.

During the 15th SIFF, movie buffs will see a record number of film celebrities walking down the opening night red carpet at Shanghai Grand Theater.More than 400 stars, including Hollywood actor Aaron Eckhart, Dutch actress Famke Janssen, Japanese heartthrob Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo, Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Chow Yun-fat, and mainland actress Zhang Ziyi, will attend and interact with audiences. 

This year\'s festival has received a total of 1,643 entries from 106 countries and regions. Among the 17 nominees are Indian film Color of Sky, Danish production Excuse Me, and two domestic productions - Huo Jianqi\'s biography film Xiao Hong and Gao Qunshu\'s black comedy Detective Hunter Zhang.

The seven-member jury will be headed by famed French director Jean- Jacques Annaud whose credits include The Lover and The Name of the Rose. The "Asian New Talent Award" will continue its role of "Industry Incubator" with an international perspective for Asian films, focusing on a perfect combination of creativity and productivity. The program has been long devoted to supporting promising young directors in Asia.

This year over 400 major film companies and buyers will participate in the festival\'s international film market to seek potential projects and ideas. Film makers from all over the world will get the opportunity to introduce and pitch their creative new film projects and co-productions for investment and future distribution.

The international film forum has proved to be a fertile opportunity for brainstorming, this year involving industry experts, film makers and scriptwriters to discuss heated topics and industry problems.

As for movie buffs, the international film panorama is their most beloved program. Last year the panorama made about 8.6 million yuan (US$1.37 million) at the box office, attracting more than 300,000 cinemagoers.

This year around 300 acclaimed classic and new foreign and domestic films will be screened at 28 cinemas around the city from June 16 to 24.