ෂැංහායි සිනමා උළෙලේ BRI චිත්‍රපට සතියක්

8 films clash at SIFF's Belt and Road film week

Eight films from Belt and Road countries will be in the race for awards at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival's (SIFF) Belt and Road Film Week, which was launched on Saturday.

The eight chosen films will vie for the Media Attention Filmmaker, Media Attention Film, and Audience Favorite Film awards, with the week promising to be a thrilling showcase of diverse cinematic talent.

Meanwhile, the full SIFF boasts a massive selection of 461 films from around the world, with screenings planned across Shanghai until June 23rd, according to the organizer.

"I would like to introduce the 18 films from different countries to all friends. Different roles in the films may face different challenges. I believe that the courage displayed by the characters in these films will also resonate with viewers," said Dong Chengpeng, a Chinese actor who is a promotion ambassador of the Belt and Road Film Week.

With a focus on Latin America, this year's professionally selected films include offerings from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile.

Mexican director Bruno Bancalari expressed his excitement to be showcasing his documentary at the festival, on the other side of the world and amidst a different culture

"It's amazing, it's amazing to be on the other side of the world with a whole different culture, in a beautiful country. I feel privileged to be here. I just premiered my documentary film in a festival in Mexico in Guadalajara and this is the international presentation. So I'm very fortunate and I'm very proud to be here," said Bancalari.

The Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance, initiated and established by the SIFF's organizing committee in 2018, now has 55 members from 48 countries and regions.

"Last year, some of the committee organizers from Shanghai International Film Festival came to my festival and we initiated to have a collaboration. This festival was screened in about 40 something, cinemas and 200 screens. It's incredible, and now, I'm trying to watch some films and maybe I initiate some or organize some collaboration with Shanghai [at] my festival," said Ajish Dibyo, executive director of Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival in Indonesia.

In addition to Shanghai, six selected international films will be shown during the film week in cities of Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Hefei.

Founded in 1993, SIFF is a prestigious global event, driven by Shanghai's ambition to become an international cultural hub. It has been attracting increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market.

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