The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is here, kicking off a dazzling celebration of cinema amid widespread anticipation. In addition to the main competition and documentary, this year's festival features special sections dedicated to short films, along with an interactive ticket stub-collecting campaign that draws in numerous film enthusiasts and content creators. The entire city seems transformed into an open movie set where the old meets the new.

Russian content creator and short film actor Danial takes us on a journey through the SIFF, recalling his experience at last year's short film section. Strolling through Shanghai's streets, he marveled at the city that seemed to him like an endless, unfolding movie. He shared a magical moment when he stumbled upon a film studio reminiscent of Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, as if transported into that cinematic world. For Danial, Shanghai is more than just a stopover for work – it's the first Chinese city he ever encountered on screen, a place he captures through his lens and stages his performances in.