Shanghai Film Festival: Tornatore’s Peace Message Opens Event
- Shanghai – The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival commenced with a star-studded gala, highlighting cinema's role in fostering understanding and peace.
- The opening night at the Grand Theater featured an orchestral performance and a children's choir.Celebrities, including Zhang Ziyi, Mei Ting, Lei Jiayin, li Xian, Yang Mi, Ni Ni,...
- Jury members, acknowledging global conflicts, stressed cinema's connective power.
The Shanghai International Film Festival has opened with a powerful message of peace, spotlighting cinema’s crucial role in fostering global understanding and cultural exchange. Jury President Giuseppe Tornatore emphasized unity through film at the star-studded gala. The festival, featuring classic and cutting-edge films, highlights innovation and the connective power of cinema, bridging its past and future. News Directory 3 reports on the festival’s emphasis on Chinese stories and cultural diversity, aiming to revitalize shanghai’s film sector and solidify its standing as a global hub. Discover what’s next from the world of film.
Shanghai Film Festival Opens With Message of Peace
Updated June 15, 2025
Shanghai – The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival commenced with a star-studded gala, highlighting cinema’s role in fostering understanding and peace. Jury president Giuseppe tornatore delivered a message emphasizing unity through film.
The opening night at the Grand Theater featured an orchestral performance and a children’s choir.Celebrities, including Zhang Ziyi, Mei Ting, Lei Jiayin, li Xian, Yang Mi, Ni Ni, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Kara Wai Ying-hung, Zhu Yilong, and Wu Lei, attended the premiere of Peter Chan Ho-Sun’s “She’s Got No Name.”
Mayor Gong Zheng officially opened the festival. Jury members, acknowledging global conflicts, stressed cinema’s connective power. Indian filmmaker Kiran Rao described cinema as a “Tree of Life,” nurturing stories and connecting generations.
Zhao Jiaming, of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, outlined the festival’s three-part strategy to revitalize the film industry, blending historical reflection with forward-looking innovation. The festival aims to rejuvenate Shanghai’s film sector, emphasizing “Innovation through history.”
This year’s programming highlights cinema’s origins while honoring classic films. It also showcases industry advancements, bridging cinema’s past and future. The concept of “Cinema as a Medium” gathers films globally, creating platforms for dialog to foster Chinese stories and cultural diversity.
the festival prioritizes audience engagement, expanding access to quality film programming. Integration across culture, tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibitions will create comprehensive “film+” experiences.
Wang Xiaozhen, of China Media Group, noted the meaning of cinema’s anniversaries in 2025, marking 130 years of world cinema and 120 years of Chinese cinema. A montage celebrated Chinese cinema, accompanied by Jane Zhang’s songs, and another showcased Shanghai’s cinematic history.
Wang emphasized film’s role as an art form that “continues original aspirations while seeking innovation, recording dialogues between civilizations and emotional resonances, and bearing shared pursuits and lovely visions.”
The festival examines cinema’s evolution, demonstrating “the spirit of integrity and innovation, courage and perseverance.” The goal is to “inject new vitality into the sustained prosperity and growth of Chinese cinema,” solidifying Shanghai’s role as a global film hub.
“As a filmmaker, it is a priviledge to enjoy films and