The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) opened in Shanghai on Saturday with a glittering ceremony and red-carpet event attended by filmmakers and movie stars.

Jury members for the Golden Goblet Awards main competition take the stage at the opening ceremony of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival in Shanghai, June 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

Wang Xiaozhen, vice president of China Media Group and chair of the 27th SIFF Organizing Committee, said at the opening gala that the festival brings new energy to the lasting prosperity of Chinese cinema. He described cinema as an art form that values tradition and innovation equally, captures cultural dialogue and emotional depth, and shares hopes through powerful storytelling.

"In this city of film, every frame tells a story of life," Wang said. "The era of deep integration with digital and intelligent technologies offers limitless possibilities. Amid global uncertainties, we turn to cinema to boost cultural exchange and strengthen people-to-people ties. We look forward to using the power of film to build bridges of mutual understanding and create broader agreement."

Zhao Jiaming, co-chair of the 27th SIFF Organizing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Municipal Committee, said this year's festival will emphasize "drawing wisdom from history" by connecting past and present and blending art with technology.

The festival will showcase excellent global filmmaking and facilitate industry dialogue platforms. It will also focus on audiences by providing high-quality, innovative cinematic experiences, demonstrating Shanghai's status as both a film capital and a hub of innovation, openness and dreams, according to Zhao.