It’s time for another perennial favorite in the crowded film festival calendar. As the 26th Shanghai Film Festival gets underway, a core theme of this year’s celebration is the emerging contemporary filmmakers shaping the Chinese film landscape. Our expert insider, entertainment attorney Brandon Blake, shares some of the inside track from the Shanghai Film Fest.
Domestic Productions Shine
One glance at the 461 films in active participation this year, and something becomes clear. There’s a spotlight on Chinese domestic productions, both through the general program and the festival’s four key “Golden Goblet” film competitions, which have 12 mainland Chinese films in contention. Four Chinese productions round out the 14-strong list for the main Golden Globe, and 12 will be making their world premieres, alongside 2 expanding international bows.
The SIFF is currently the only international A-category film festival within mainland China and has long served as a way for the very best international content to speak to Chinese buyers and Chinese film fans. However, this also makes it an excellent venue to showcase the best of domestic production—and, potentially, to boost its global profile, too.
An Unusual Competition Category
This is also a year where there will be no films from Hollywood or the ever-popular South Korean content in the major competition categories. We have already seen this result in a red carpet packed with Chinese stars, but devoid of the usual international A-listers.
For those curious to see what the hype is about, A Man and a Woman, from the mind of recent Cannes “Un Certain Regard” winner, Guan Hu, and Don’t Worry, Be Happy, have received significant critical attention. The strong selection in the Asian New Talent section is also worth consideration.
With 200 screenings fully sold out before this year’s festival opened, it is set to be a vibrant and exciting one — and the strong presence from Chinese films is just one of many exciting drawcards to enjoy.
