Speech by the chairman of the jury

 

TONG Gang
Vice Minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication,
Radio, Film and Television of The People’s Republic of China,
Chairman of the SIFF Organizing Committee
The Shanghai International Film Festival, with its history of over 20 years, has grown into the most important film festival in Asia. On behalf of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and the SIFF organizing committee, I would like to express our great gratitude to the friends who have cared about the development of the Chinese film industry all this time, and would like to sincerely welcome all our guests to the festival.

Shanghai’s film industry has come to own unique, natural advantages through the continuous expansion of the industry, the development of domestic and foreign cultural markets, and the adjustment of the structure of the cultural industry; the Shanghai International Film Festival is the best promoter and witness in this cultural upgrading process. The Shanghai International Film Festival makes great efforts to play its role as a first-class platform, constantly moving forward to become a world-leading film event. This year, filmmakers from around the world will gather here to communicate their creative talents and marvelous skills, displaying various cultures and values. By means of holding the festival in a thorough and distinctive way, the Shanghai International Film Festival will further catalyze the creative energies of the cultural industry, make the most of the industry’s advantages, establish a remarkable “capital of eastern films” and drive Chinese film culture to spread abroad.

The past decades have witnessed our development and efforts. Chinese film output and box-office capacity have achieved significant growth year after year. Film has enhanced our economy, our culture and our people’s lives, and has also enriched spiritual living. Films will be combined with related industries in the culture and entertainment economies, promoting coordinated development of film creation, the film production industry, investment & financing in film and television and creative culture.

In the new era, film is once again embracing a new life and new opportunities. Through its interaction with internet technology, exhilarating fields and possibilities will be generated. The Shanghai International Film Festival believes that culture industry, lifestyles and values should influence and complement one another, and we will continuously update our ideas, incorporate the operational formats for holding international festivals, and accomplish our mission to serve as an important platform for cultural communication.

It is only innovation that can maintain vitality. The Shanghai International Film Festival is always moving on the road ahead. Let us look forward to a spectacular and great event!

WENG Tiehui
Vice Mayor of Shanghai
Chairman of the SIFF Organizing Committee
Welcome to the Shanghai International Film Festival again! On behalf of the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Shanghai International Film Festival Organizing Committee, I wish our guests and friends here will enjoy a feast of films and have a happy time in screening their films.

Films reflect the history and reality, showing the glories of the past 100 years and recalling the things that happened over the past 100 years. As one of most important international film festivals in the world’s film industry, Shanghai International Film Festival strives to provide a communication platform for cultures and minds and attentively listen to the voices of global film makers. It makes efforts to establish a publishing and trading platform that serves the whole global film industrial chain. It fosters a diverse spectator atmosphere, providing the audience with outstanding films from all over the world. That is where the professionalism of Shanghai International Film Festival lies and where the duty of offering cultural communication lies.

This year, we are delighted to present even more highlights at the festival. The announcement of Shanghai’s new policy supporting the film industry encourages the festival to integrate new elements and gain new vitality. The festival will not only look to cultivate talents within the industry, financial supporting services, marketing and distribution of films and so forth, but also proactively embracing the Internet. Meanwhile, it will pay more attention to the works, talents and environments, which are just the troika for the film industry development.

As the industry continues to grow, we should never forget our pursuit of quality film content or our leading power to broadcast culture. In the age of globalization, we will strive for the common goal of a bright future for all human beings through brilliant works of film.

I wish the Shanghai International Film Festival a great success!