Italian films shine in Shanghai, boosting Sino-Italian cinematic ties

Seven acclaimed Italian films, including "FolleMente" and "Il Nibbio," captivated audiences at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival as part of the Italian Screens program. The showcase featured a diverse selection of Italian films, ranging from romantic comedies to dramatic features, highlighting Italy's rich storytelling tradition.

After the screening of "FolleMente," director Paolo Genovese charmed viewers, joking: "After Perfect Strangers made couples break up, this time I want people to fall in love!" The post-screening event fostered warm exchanges between Italian filmmakers and Chinese cinephiles.

Roberto Stabile of Italy's Cinema Department noted, "We hope Chinese audiences can sample Italy's charm through movies." Backed by an annual fund of €2 million, the Italian Screens initiative distributes Italian films worldwide, offering up to €50,000 per title for overseas releases.

The partnership is showing promising results, with Paola Cortellesi's "There's Still Tomorrow" earning 45 million yuan at the box office in China earlier this year. And this cultural bridge continues to strengthen the ties between the film industries of the two nations.