Hitting the screens: How did Shanghai earn its nickname, the City of Films?

Shanghai, a metropolis in east China, is getting ready to embrace guests from around the world this week as the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) kicks off on Friday, with the theme "City of Films."

During the 10-day event, about 450 works will hit the screens in 47 cinemas across Shanghai and six cinemas in other cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. About a quarter of these films will receive their world and international premieres during the festival. These films will attract moviegoers from across China, who can already buy tickets both online and offline.

"I think the inclusiveness is a key reflection of its theme, 'City of Films.' During the festival, movie lovers of different age groups get together in the city to enjoy the pure joy of watching a wide variety of films," said a film lover who has been participating in the festival since 2017.

Established in 1993, the festival has not only provided a "feast" for film enthusiasts, but also offered global filmmakers a platform for communication and cooperation. For instance, this year's event has received over 3,700 entries from more than 105 countries and regions.

From June 16 to 18, more than 130 film and television organizations from across the globe will participate in a market exhibition at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, exploring cooperation opportunities in the film industry. 

The city is the birthplace of Chinese cinema and no one can discuss Chinese film history without mentioning Shanghai. As a microcosm of China's rapid development, Shanghai has undergone enormous changes, which means that many legendary stories played out in the city. In addition to being shooting locations for today's filmmakers, the city also produces generations of high-quality talents for the film industry with its academies.

The city is also crucial for the future of the global film industry. With about 400 cinemas, the city is a key source of filmmakers' box office takings. Currently, about 7,000 film and television enterprises and studios are located in Shanghai, accounting for one-third of China's total. They basically cover the whole industry chain of film and television, including creation, shooting, training, promotion and distribution.

The SIFF is China's only A-category international film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers. Shanghai stands ready to explore further integration with the international film community.