17th Shanghai International Film Festival Background Information

General Information:

Started in 1993, Shanghai International Film Festival has become a FIPAF accredited “Category-A” international film festival and, after more than 20 years of growth and development, has the strongest influence in the industry in Asia-Pacific area. In line with the strong growth of China’s film industry and Shanghai\'s on-going cultural and financial development, the theme for SIFF 2014 will be “Asia, Chinese Language, New Talents.” The festival will continue to expand Chinese film culture, encourage international communication, and promote the multi-market appeal of film. It will also continue to foster new talents and further its influence in improving industry professionalism, authority and creativity.

This year, SIFF has accepted a record 1099 competition films and 1808 exhibition films. Film fans will find it easier to see films this year as 35 cinemas will be screening SIFF programs compared to 26 last year. Nearly 900 movies will be shown.

SIFF will support and encourage new talent through the Mobile Film Festival, Short Film feature competition for overseas students, New Talents Project, Asian New Talent Award and the Golden Goblet Award.

On opening night, June 14, nearly 400 Chinese and overseas film celebrities will walk the red carpet to take part in the opening ceremony. Regarded as the top red carpet festival opening in Asia, it will include cast and crew of Brotherhood of Blades, With or Without, Zhongkui-Snow, Girl And The Dark Crystal and The Wolf Totem. Leading the way will be prominent stars like John Woo, Jiang Wen, Jackie Chan, Chen Kun, Nicholas Tse, Li Bingbing, Gao Yuanyuan and Liu Shishi.

Also this year, SIFF will again fully cater to every aspect of the film business chain through its forums, market monitoring, financial innovation advice and encourage further development and improved prosperity for Shanghai\'s cultural industry.

Selection Process Improved, Masters and New Talents Competing

The Organizing Committee has released for the first time the film selection process. The judges will come from areas of film management, film studies, film production, theatre chain management, private production, media and film critics, academia, industry associations and other film-related industries.

The films competing for the Golden Goblet Award include masterpieces having either their international or Asian premieres. Both Volker Schlöndorff, director of The Tin Drum, and Masayuki Suo, the renowned Japanese avant-garde director, have submitted their latest works for competition. As for Chinese movies, the new talent Zhang Meng, who rose to prominence with his masterpiece The Piano in a Factory, will present his new film The Uncle Victory. Zhang’s association with SIFF goes back to 2009 when The Piano in a Factory was awarded “Best Creative Project” in the “Chinese Film Pitch and Catch” section.

This year\'s award candidate The Uncle Victory was also shortlisted in that section in 2012 when it was in project-development stage. SIFF has been dedicated to establishing a multi-tier incubation platform. The fruits are clearly visible with Zhang and other new Chinese film talents rising from “Pitch and Catch” to the “Golden Goblet”.

The best film will be chosen from the shortlisted works by the Jury President, Gong Li, as well as other jury members, including the British director and playwright Sally Potter, Danish director Lone Scherfig, Iranian actor Peyman Moaadi, South Korean director Sang-sooIm, Chinese director Liu Jie and Japanese director ShunjiIwai.

Among the shortlist, are Oscar blockbusters like Blue Jasmine, Dallas Buyers Club, as well as films that were shortlisted for Cannes, Berlin and Venice Film Festivals, including SacroGra, and Like Father, Like Son. The “Tribute to Masters” unit, very much appreciated by film fans last year, will review the works of masters like Rossellini, Alain Renais and Marlon Brando. Thus the festival creates a pluralistic viewing atmosphere that is different from the Hollywood system.