Record high signing-ups, SIFF panorama film to be distributed

Since its call for film entry January 1, 2009, the signing-ups for 12th Shanghai International Film Festival have hit its record high since 1993, its 1st edition. Among all, films from Italy are rising remarkably. The Italian signing-ups for the coming SIFF include not only works by new talents but also the latest films of well-established filmmakers. A very important reason for this booming came after the news that Night Bus, one of panorama films in SIFF 2008, is going to be distributed nationwide.

 

It is reported that the distribution of Night Bus has drawn sharp attention in Italy\'s film industry with news occupying the up stage of Italian media.

 

"The Italian film has left Chinese audience with films such as Life Is Beautiful, La Dolce Vita and 8½," said Carla Cattani of Film Italian, a branch of Italy\'s largest film group CINECITTA. "Now, with the distribution of Night Bus, the Italian films will draw the attention of young Chinese once again, while at the same time raise their interest and passion for our country." Film Italian serves an important role on the promotion of Italian Film, especially the new ones.

 

Actually Night Bus is not the first one earning its reputation via Shanghai International Film Festival. Four Minutes, SIFF\'s grand prize winner in 2006, won quite a lot of cups all over the world while its copyright was bought by Luc Besson, Jury President in SIFF 2006. Moreover, Hannah Herzsprung, the leading actress of Four Minutes, is now one of the most well-known in Germany.

The success of Four Minutes greatly expanded SIFF\'s reputation in Germany with a rising number of German films submitting to compete for Jin Jue Award in the past few years. Furthermore, the annual Focus Germany presents a selection of latest German films during the festival.

 

SIFF is dedicating to serve as a platform not only for multi-culture presence but also for trading. Despite the current world economic crisis, the world film business is stable or even better than the same period of previous year. Film markets of film festivals contribute to the prosperous.

 

"The market is a must for film festivals. In Cannes, what behind the brilliant film stars of this world renowned film festival is its huge film market." said SIFF Mart officer: "Shanghai keeps its efforts on facilitating a strong market by launching the film market for trade and initiating CFPC and Co-FPC for projects and investors. Now, everything\'s going well."

Evidence shows an optimistic situation. 2009 "was an EFM of mixed emotions, yet market activity remained stable", said EFM\'s Market Director Beki Probst two month ago after this year\'s Berlinale.

At the moment, SIFF is ready to do more. "In this June, SIFF Mart will be relocated to Shanghai Exhibition Center, one of the best and professional venues in Shanghai with excellent infrastructure and satisfactory service. By now, most stands have been booked."