ECAM Forum Wraps Third Edition With ‘Undefined Things II,’ ‘The Indies,’ ‘Snow Country’ Among Winners

Shanghai Film Festival Showcases Emerging Talent and Taps into China's Movie Tourism Boom

Emerging Filmmakers and Tourism Growth Highlighted at Shanghai International Film Festival

The Shanghai International Film Festival has wrapped up its latest edition, showcasing emerging talent and highlighting the growth of China's movie tourism industry.

The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has concluded its latest edition, with a focus on emerging talent and the growing trend of movie tourism in China. The festival, which ran from June 11 to June 21, featured a lineup of films from new and established directors, as well as a series of industry events and panels.

What Happened

The festival's SIFF Project market presented a selection of international co-production projects, including Juno Hong's debut feature "Only the Moon Knows," which tells the story of a Chinese international student working the night shift at a 24-hour convenience store. The film was one of three international co-production projects presented at the market.

Meanwhile, the ECAM Forum in Madrid wrapped up its third edition, with María Aparicio's "Undefined Things II" taking the Last Push Award and Pauline Julier and Nicolas Chapoulier's "The Indies" scoring a special jury mention.

Why It Matters

The Shanghai Film Festival's focus on emerging talent highlights the growing importance of nurturing new voices in the film industry. As noted by first-time director Keane T.K. Wong, whose psychological drama "Afterpiece" opened the festival, the support for emerging Chinese-language filmmaking talent is crucial for the industry's growth.

What Experts Say

> "My first reaction was surprise," said Wong of the selection. "For a feature film debut to be selected as the opening film of SIFF is a high recognition."

Key Numbers

• 71%: The increase in hotel bookings in Delingha, Qinghai province, during the Lunar New Year holiday, thanks to the film "Pegasus 3."
• Doubling: The number of flights to the three cities in which the family drama "Dear You" is set, since the film's late-April release.
• June 11-21: The dates of the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Background

The Chinese film industry has been struggling to recapture the heady days of its pre-pandemic box office records, but the government-led push for film tourism has started to show results. The boom in movie tourism has helped the wider domestic economy recoup some of what has been lost at the multiplex.

What Comes Next

As the Shanghai Film Festival continues to showcase emerging talent and tap into China's movie tourism boom, the industry is likely to see a growth in film production and tourism revenue. With a focus on nurturing new voices and promoting film tourism, the festival is set to play a key role in shaping the future of the Chinese film industry.

Key Facts

• Who: Juno Hong, Keane T.K. Wong
• What: Shanghai International Film Festival, SIFF Project market, ECAM Forum
• When: June 11-21
• Where: Shanghai, China
• Impact: Growth of movie tourism industry, emerging talent showcased