Shanghai Intl. Film Festival: Shanghai's many 'firsts' in Chinese cinema

World
Europe

Shanghai is the birthplace of Chinese cinema. The city first became involved in film as early as 1896, and has led the way and created many records since then. Lin Nan tells us more.

The first film made by the pioneering Lumière brothers; also widely regarded as the first movie ever made in history. Less than a year after its debut in Paris, it was brought to Shanghai.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "The first-ever screening of a motion picture in China was held in a private garden called Xu Garden in Shanghai in 1896."

The entertainment soon became popular among locals. China's first commercial film theatre opened in Shanghai in 1908.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "Shanghai has led the way since the early days of Chinese cinema."

Shanghai came to be known as the Hollywood of the East in the 1920s and 30s. By1927, China had a whopping 181 film production companies, 151 of which were based in Shanghai.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "The nation's first sound film and colour movie were both produced in Shanghai."

Shanghai is also the main driving force behind the nation's cinema technology development. China's first camera was made here.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "The length of all the film copies developed and printed by Shanghai Film Technology Studio totals 1.1 billion meters, which can circle the earth about 27.5 times."

The growing middle class in China continues fueling its appetite for movies, and China has become the second-largest movie market globally after the US.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "Shanghai has ranked first in Chinese box office sales since 2016, with the highest number of cinemas and screens. China's first IMAX screen and LED screen were also unveiled in the city."

Not only have commercial movies seen success here, art house films have also gained a loyal audience in Shanghai.

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "The nation's first art house alliance was established here to place more highbrow titles and festival winners."

China is estimated to become the world's largest film market in the 2020s, and more new records are expected to be set and perhaps broken in Shanghai. Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.