An edited photo shows the Shanghai Film Art Center during the 23rd SIFF. /Xinhua
The 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) ended on Sunday without glittering trophies or red carpets, indicating the realities of running a film festival in the coronavirus era.
The nine-day event brought key figures in the Chinese film industry to Shanghai, with famous foreign filmmakers participating in diverse online sessions and activities.
This year's SIFF, the first major international film festival held since the COVID-19 outbreak began, included a conference series known as the Golden Goblet Forum, a virtual International Film and TV Market and the SIFF project market.
People watch a movie at an outdoor screening during the SIFF. /Xinhua
It also included a Belt and Road Film Week, an India Film Week and special sections respectively focusing on films from Germany, Italy, Japan and Indonesia.
This year's event saw 322 movies screened at 29 designated movie theaters across the city, many of which were new releases. According to the organizers, 3,693 registered films from 108 countries and regions around the world were submitted.
The screenings, with seating capacity capped at 30 percent, still drew 147,502 viewers via outdoor and online events.
A man checks the schedule of screenings during the SIFF. /Xinhua
In addition to online screenings and livestreamed forums, this year's film festival also moved its film and TV markets online.
Since the decision was announced, the organizers received registrations from more than 700 exhibitors within 10 days, nearly half of which were from overseas.
The virtual market for films and TV programs will continue running through August 5, featuring feature online exhibitions of films and TV programs, meetings and promotions, and a variety of online services, including copyright and insurance consulting.
Filmmakers attend a forum during the SIFF. /Xinhua
Undoubtedly, the successful running of the SIFF is a great encouragement for virus-weary Chinese filmmakers and the whole industry, which has been hard hit by the pandemic.
It not only demonstrated the effectiveness of China's pandemic control efforts, but also encouraged Chinese filmmakers to keep working hard for a better future, said veteran Chinese film director Jia Zhangke.
The 26th Shanghai TV Festival will kick off on Monday, August 3, following the conclusion of the film event.
Click to see some highlight moments of this year's SIFF:
SIFF film exhibition spotlights China's progress towards a 'xiaokang society'
Director Peng Fei Song on making an anti-war film without battle scenes
Returning to the 'Magical World': Films are back
SIFF forum: A salute to filmmakers working on the frontlines
Shanghai International Film Festival audience gets behind-the-scenes look at animated movies