Nansun SHI Named Jury President for Asian New Talent Award of 21st SIFF

The Organization Committee of Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) announced today that the respected film producer Nansun SHI, from Hong Kong, China has been invited to chair the Jury for the 21st SIFF Asian New Talent Award.

This year, the SIFF is scheduled to take place during June 16 - 25.

Picture of Nansun SHI (provided by Zhang Jingming)

As the only non-specialized competitive international film festival in China recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, SIFF features another important competition besides the Global Goblet Awards – the Asian New Talent Award. Since its launch in 2004, the program has been dedicated to providing valuable opportunities for rising filmmakers and film works to display themselves on the international stage. Thanks to the Asian New Talent Award, a new force of prominent directors in Asia has been discovered and supported.

Previous Jury Presidents for the Asian New Talent Award are Japanese director Shunji IWAI, Chinese directors LU Chuan, Tung-shing YEE, WANG Xiaoshuai, and more.

Poster of THE FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE

Nansun SHI, an established film producer, presenter and publisher from Hong Kong, China.

In the 1980s, she started her career in the Hong Kong film and television industry. With her acute insights into the film market, precise and distinctive theme selection, as well as skillful communication capability, she has been a pioneer in the shooting, production and distribution of films in different genres, including action, martial arts and crime.

A BETTER TOMORROW

Among all the works produced and presented by her, there are classic and legacy movies such as PEKING OPERA BLUES, A CHINESE GHOST STORY, A BETTER TOMORROW series, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA series, and NEW DRAGON GATE INN, as well as box-office hits in recent years: INFERNAL AFFAIRS, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME, THE FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE, THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN (2014), JOURNEY TO THE WEST: THE DEMONS STRIKE BACK.

It is with her utmost assistance and support that TSUI Hark, John WOO, and Andrew LAU have managed to deliver the most remarkable, popular and representative works in their respective directing career to date.

Poster of A CHINESE GHOST STORY

Nansun SHI frequents international film festivals as a jury member. In 2007, she was invited to join the jury at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival. Later, she has also served as member of jury for the 64th Cannes Film Festival and the 28th Tokyo Film Festival.

Photo of Nansun SHI with Andrey ZVYAGINTSEV, Jury President for the 18th SSIF Global Goblet Awards

Nansun SHI is also an old friend of SIFF: in 2015, she was the jury member of the 18th SSIF Global Goblet Awards competition.

Nansun SHI presents award to the winner

Shi’s outstanding gifts and coordination skills have been widely recognized throughout the world. In 2017, she won the Berlinale Camera Award at 67th Berlin International Film Festival, the third Chinese filmmaker to be honored with the same award following actress GONG Li and director Ann HUI.

In her acceptance speech, Shi said that though the world is becoming increasingly complex and diverse, the “soft power” of movies is being more and more valued.

THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN (2014)

Because of her distinguished achievements in cinema production and distribution, Shi once ranked among the “50 Most Influential Filmmakers in the World” selected by Variety.

In 2009, the Asian Film Award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema

In 2013, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres granted by French government 

In 2014, the first Chinese filmmaker to win Best Independent Producer Award, 67th Locarno Film Festival

In 2015, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th Far East Film Festival, Udine