The curtain has risen on the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival with a record 4,100 submissions from 125 countries and regions, the highest in the history of China's only internationally accredited competitive feature film festival.

First-time submissions came from countries such as Ghana and Mozambique, with a notable increase in submissions from the Americas and Africa. World and international premieres remained strong, accounting for a combined 82% of all selections. For the first time, both the Golden Goblet Main Competition and Documentary Competition achieved "100% premieres" – a sign that "premiering in Shanghai" is increasingly becoming the top choice for filmmakers worldwide.

On the other side of the globe, film enthusiasts along Hollywood Boulevard had much to say on the film extravaganza of the East. Some praised classic kung fu films starring Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, while others shared their impressions of LA's vibrant film culture. Cinema, they said, knows no borders. Its ability to bring people together through shared experiences earns it a seat at the table of international relations.