SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ABOUT SIFF

In 1993, Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) was born in the tide of reform and opening up. In 1994, Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) was officially accredited by International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) as China's first and only international competitive feature film festival—an “A”-list festival. In 2026, following a major reform of its accreditation process, FIAPF redefined the “A”-list classification as a distinction reserved for festivals that can demonstrate the highest international impact. SIFF successfully retained this prestigious title, reaffirming its status as China‘s sole “A”-list festival.

The rich history and the times have nurtured Shanghai’s urban spirit of “inclusiveness and diversity, pursuit of excellence, enlightened wisdom and humility”, alongside its character of openness, innovation, and inclusivity. SIFF, upholding the philosophy centering around “Asia, Chinese Film, and New Talents” coupled with its mindset of being a pioneering, professional, and global event, has catalyzed positive contributions to the development of China’s film undertaking and industry, as well as the growth of Shanghai’s core competitiveness and cultural soft power, while consistently meeting the cultural demands of the general public who love cinema.

The official poster for the 27th SIFF draws inspiration from the city's iconic architecture and everyday life. Designed as a triptych - one central poster complemented by three supporting visuals - it brilliantly embodies the creative concept: "City of Film: Where Every Frame Captures Life Stories". The 27th SIFF's Golden Goblet Awards received 3,900-plus film submissions from 119 countries and regions across five competition categories.

The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, with the theme of "City of Film". The poster presents silhouettes of people walking around the city, and the representative Shanghai cinema blends into the night of Shanghai, like an upcoming movie, symbolizing the encounter of better times and a more beautiful life in Shanghai, the birthplace of Chinese cinema. The 26th Shanghai International Film Festival received over 3700 entries and exhibitions from 105 countries and regions across five continents.

The 25th Shanghai International Film Festival featured a poster with the theme of "Embracing the Sea and Walking with Light". The scene depicts a vast ocean, with a projector resembling a lighthouse, guiding sand boats forward in the surging waves, symbolizing a cohesive and inclusive film culture. The 25th Shanghai International Film Festival received nearly 8800 entries and exhibitions from over 128 countries and regions.

The 24th Shanghai International Film Festival, with the theme of "A Century of Light and Shadow, Endless Walk", features posters featuring a galloping train as the main visual element, symbolizing the century long journey of Chinese cinema under the leadership of the Party, and celebrating the great era with the art of light and shadow. The 24th Shanghai International Film Festival received 4443 registered films from 113 countries and regions, an increase of 750 from 2020 and 479 from 2019, the highest in history.

At the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival, the main visual theme of the poster is "Reunion", which means that the vast number of film fans are about to reunite with movies on the big screen. The poster uses bold color tones to outline a light and shadow painting that interweaves futuristic and technological elements. The light emitted by the screen cuts through the city skyline, ushering in dawn for the city. The 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival received a total of 3693 registered films from 108 countries and regions around the world.