Infographics: What you should know about Shanghai International Film Festival

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Filmmakers have gathered in Shanghai for the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival, which started on Saturday.

Founded in 1993, Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is the only competitive film festival in China approved by FIAPF. With 38 producer organizations from 31 countries on five continents, FIAFP is the only organization of film and television producers with a global reach.

Main figures for the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival /CGTN Photo

It was first held biennially from 1993 to 2001 and then annually from 2004.

Chinese film director and actor Jiang Wen was named head of the jury this year. While US film producer David Permut, Chinese actress Qin Hailu, Chinese actor Chang Chen, Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi, Turkish filmmaker Semih Kaplanoğlu, and Japanese director Naomi Kawase are on the Golden Goblet Jury.

Trophy of the Golden Goblet awards of the Shanghai International Film Festival. /VCG Photo

‘Belt & Road’ week

A “Belt and Road” film week featuring screenings and discussions will also be part of the festival's highlights. The Shanghai International Film Festival has started the “Belt and Road” section since 2015.

Meanwhile, a “Belt and Road” union is scheduled to be established on Saturday – the first day of the 10-day film festival.

"Beld and Road" countries' participation in the 21st SIFF in numbers. /CGTN Photo

“Many of the films from the Belt and Road countries are excellent. They are different from the commercial films from the Hollywood. These films need platforms like the Shanghai International Film Festival to meet the audience,” said Shi Chuan, chairman of the Shanghai Film Association.

Films on ordinary people’s lives

Although action films and science fiction films are often audiences’ first choices in theaters, the Shanghai International Film Festival seems to prefer stories touching upon ordinary people’s lives.

During its past 20 sessions, over half of the “Best Film” titles went to stories related to love and family relationships.

Numbers of Best Film in themes at SIFF for last 20 sessions. /CGTN Photo

1073km