The Shanghai International Film Festival has long been a gathering place for global cinema. This year, it’s something more: A starting point.

For the first time in the festival's history, all 12 films in the Golden Goblet main competition are world premieres – a milestone that reflects Shanghai's rising stature on the international festival circuit.

CGTN's Zhang Meng caught up with filmmakers from Morocco, Belgium, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, Germany and France at the Golden Goblet ceremony. Coming from different corners of the world, directors, producers and actors shared their excitement at bringing their films to Shanghai for the very first time. For many, the journey was long – but the chance to debut on this stage, they agreed, was worth every mile.