FOCUS GERMANY

For German Films the Focus Germany at the Shanghai International Film Festival is the most important promotion tool in China.

The Focus Germany gives the directors the opportunity to introduce a considerable number of German films to the Chinese audience and to get the attention of the press as well as buyers for these films, which is very important for the reception of the films. It is the 6th time now the Shanghai International Film Festival is working on the FOCUS GERMANY together with German Films and since the beginning both two sides have been cooperating very well on the event. The festival has offered a gala opening for FOCUS GERMANY which is an excellent opportunity to draw the attention of both the press and the audience to the German section in the festival.

In the past, SIFF have been discussing with the German Films the best way to promote the event and these discussions have been very fruitful over the years. Each year, the event has become better  thanks to the current improvements from both sides. This year, FOCUS GERMANY presents 14 long feature films and gives an overview of German films which have been at important international festivals but some newcomer films are also introduced to the Chinese audience. HILDE by Kai Wessel, the opening film of this year, is premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February.

“The great advantage of the cooperation with SIFF is the fact so many of the filmmakers can come to Shanghai to present their films to the audience, it gives the Chinese audience a unique chance to get to know the filmmakers and to talk to them. At the same time, the exchange of information between the filmmakers and the audience is an important element for the improvement of the partnership between the two countries.” For German Films the cooperation with SIFF has become a very valuable element. The Talent Campus, one of Berlinale\'s most important sections, work in collaboration with SIFF in the past 2 years enabling young filmmakers to get familiar with making films and gives important information on the practice of film making and distributing. In addition, as a new element, 10 short films will be presented for this year\'s edition of Focus during SIFF. It is a new element.

A PIECE OF ME was another German Film being selected for SIFF\'s Jin Jue Award. In 2006, 4 MINUTES was acknowledged worldwide after its great success in SIFF.