An orchestral performance is staged during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival opening ceremony in Shanghai, June 14, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

The opening ceremony featured movie clips, orchestral music, musical medleys and generative AI technology, showcasing famous scenes of Shanghai from both Chinese and international films. These performances highlighted the city's long history as China's film capital, showing the strong connection between cinema and urban life.

During the gala, jurors for the Golden Goblet Award's main competition, Asian New Talent, documentary, animation and short film categories, took the stage to greet the audience. Twelve shortlisted films for the main competition were announced and spotlighted during the event.

Giuseppe Tornatore, the celebrated Italian director and main competition jury president, spoke to the audience on behalf of the jurors. "For filmmakers, it's an honor to experience and learn from cinema in this magical atmosphere," he said. He added that creative exchanges between filmmakers send "a signal of peace and coexistence." He ended with an impassioned tribute: "To Shanghai! To peace! And to cinema's eternal spirit!"

The festival's opening film, "She's Got No Name," had its world premiere after the ceremony, with special screenings at more than 150 theaters across Shanghai. This new approach has attracted strong interest from movie fans.