The 21st Shanghai International Film Festival: Promoting cultural exchanges through further film cooperation

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As one of the largest and most star-studded film festivals in Asia, the 21st Annual Shanghai International Film festival kicked off this weekend. Hundreds of famous directors, actors and professionals in the film industry, are on hand for the glitz and glam. CGTN's Wu Lei was there and brings us more.

The red carpet is out, the cameras are flashing and the Shanghai International Film Festival is underway. About 400 Chinese and foreign stars are debuting films here.

WU LEI SHANGHAI "A big film festival like this is no doubt a feast for movie fans, and for those global film makers and professionals, this is also a great platform for seeking closer exchanges and cooperation."

THIERRY FREMAUX DIRECTOR "I think we need more connection to other countries through events like this. Every year it's getting better. I think the recent growth of China's entertainment industry, such as the addition of more movie theaters in recent years, is worth noting."

The 10-day festival has received over 3,400 film applications from 108 countries and regions. 13 films have made it to the final round of competition. The jury will hand out the prestigious Golden Goblet Award at the closing ceremony on June 25th. And more global actors are looking to work with Chinese film makers.

JASON STATHAM ACTOR "I have been looking to do a movie in China for many years. I make action movies, and no one makes better Action films than China, so I am trying to find the right material to work with the right person, to the right thing."

China Media Group helped organize the festival. Group President Shen Haixiong highlighted the importance of promoting cultural exchanges through film cooperation.

SHEN HAIXIONG, PRESIDENT CHINA MEDIA GROUP "The movie is a cultural ambassador. The festival is a bridge for cultural emissaries to the world. The Shanghai film festival will upgrade the mechanism of the Belt and Road Film cooperation, promoting cultural exchanges, making more friends and agglomerating the consensus of human destiny community."

WU LEI SHANGHAI "With first-quarter box office figures for 2018 trumping North America's numbers, China is on track to become the largest film market in the world. Many feel with growing cooperation between Chinese and global film professionals, more compelling and award-winning films will be here in the future. Wu Lei, CGTN, Shanghai."