CGTN's Picks for the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival

In the beautiful and warm month of June, the Shanghai International Film Festival returns with its grand cinematic spectacle. The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival will screen over 420 films. This year, we are delighted to see more films from Asia, Latin America and Africa take the stage at the festival, while outstanding works from around the world also come together. These works bring home to us the richness and diversity of world culture – from tender love by the Mekong River to childhood dreams on the streets of Brazil, from the deceptive fog of the Chadian desert to the coming-of-age story in a Kyrgyz mountain village. There is never just one narrative in this world; where light and shadow fall, countless cultures flourish. From this global tapestry of cinema, CGTN has selected a group of outstanding works that capture multicultural landscapes and showcase the fruits of cross-border collaboration. Staying true to our vision of "See the Difference," this selection spans multiple genres and conveys diverse cultural perspectives.

The selected films include:

Diya tells the story of an ordinary driver caught in a scam triggered by an accident. With its restrained and authentic lens, the film reveals the unique power of Chadian realist cinema.

Gugu's World follows an 11-year-old boy struggling between caring for his sick grandmother and chasing his dream of becoming a soccer player. It delicately portrays the warmth and resilience of family life in Brazil.

Landmarks is the documentary debut of acclaimed Argentine director Lucrecia Martel. Through a single case, the film traces deep entanglements between land, memory and identity.

Linka Linka unfolds over three summers and one night in Lhasa, as a young woman returns to her hometown to confront childhood secrets and the wounds of friendship, seeking self-reconciliation as she grows.

No Good In Sight tells of a chain of killings triggered by a botched robbery. With its nonlinear narrative intertwining childhood trauma and a father-son conflict, the film pays homage to classic crime road movies.

Skylark follows a teenager in a border village as he grows up amid family upheaval and adolescent choices. Adapted from a Kyrgyz literary classic, the film is tender and emotionally moving.

Song of the Phoenix tells the story of the suona – a traditional Chinese wind instrument – fading away as the times change. The film weaves together master-apprentice inheritance and the spirit of craftsmanship into a heartfelt portrait of preserving folk art.

Sundays, winner of the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, follows a young girl whose unexpected decision shakes her entire family, gently exploring the balance between family bonds and self-identity.

The Stranger is François Ozon's bold adaptation of Camus's classic. Using black-and-white imagery and stark chiaroscuro (light contrast), the film outlines the absurd predicament of an outsider, prompting deep reflection on the self and the world.

The World of Love tells the story of a young survivor of sexual assault who refuses to be defined by the label of "victim." With a gentle yet firm voice, the film declares: no matter what you've been through, you are always the master of your own life.

Ky Nam Inn was shot entirely on 35mm film. Amid the misty streets of 1980s Saigon, a quiet love story transcends age and past sorrows, blooming with nostalgic poetry.

Happy Birthday follows an eight-year-old housemaid who dreams of throwing the perfect birthday party for her best friend. Between cakes and ribbons, childhood innocence and class divides gently meet in a touching and thought-provoking tale.

The Last KPI is a work focusing on contemporary workplace life in Thailand. Behind the chase for numbers and targets, the film searches for the truest warmth and value among people.

500 Miles traces a journey across 500 miles, weaving together family, memories and reconciliation. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Britain and Ireland, it tells a tender story of coming home.

Each film opens a deep dialogue on cultural diversity while revealing the multiple beauties of shared human emotions.

More than just watching films, we invite you to embark on a vivid journey through global storytelling. In the flow of light and shadow, experience how cinema – the "seventh art" – sparks ideas and strikes emotional chords. Through its poetic language, we cross borders and touch the shared emotions between creators and audiences.

CGTN welcomes you to the cinema, to the world and to the untold stories that lie beyond light and shadow.

See the difference, experience the world.