Word by Danny Boyle

I am very pleased and greatly honoured to be chairing the jury for this year\'s SIFF. Not least, it is fantastic to be following last year\'s chair, Wong Kar-Wai. The hospitality and warmth shown to Slumdog Millionaire on its opening in China earlier this year is something I will remember for a long time and being involved in SIFF 2009 fulfils a lifetime\'s ambition to spend time in Shanghai, one of the world\'s greatest cities. Chinese cinema began here and the festival is the perfect way of celebrating that creative energy each year. In the same spirit I\'d like to welcome everyone to what we all hope will be a truly excellent festival.