Tomorrow at noon, tickets for the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) will officially be launched forsale.The "City of Films" warmly invites all movie enthusiasts to join this celebration.
SIFF is a festival for the people, and this year it continues to focus on convenience, benefit, and enjoyment for the public. From the introduction of the 50 RMB Special Screening sessions to an increase in ticket collection machines, from luggage storage for out-of-town viewers to themed screenings, from brand new subtitling machines to collectible merchandise, the festival aims to enhance the viewing experience before, during, and after the screenings, allowing fans to immerse themselves in a feast of films while enjoying the charm and warmth of the city.
Before Screening>>>
50 RMB Special Screening, A Gift toLoyal Fans
This year, SIFF is introducing the Special Screening sessions as a special gift to its audience. During the festival, six cinemas located in the city center, including Shanghai Film Art Center, Grand Theatre, Cathay Theatre, Hongqiao Art Centre, Shanghai Science and Technology Cinema, and DuoYunXuan Dolby Atmos Cinema, will offer 50 screenings at a discounted price of 50 RMB each to thank the fans. Additionally, cinemas in suburban areas like Chongming, Jinshan, Fengxian, Qingpu, and the Lin-gang Special Area will continue to offer tickets at the affordable price of 50 RMB.
To streamline the ticket retrieval process, this year's festival ensures that all ticket collection machines are brand new and increases their number. Tests have shown that QR code ticket retrieval can be completed within 3 seconds, significantly saving time for the audience.
For fans eager to prepare, SIFF has partnered with the Shanghai Citizens Art Festival to host the film-themed lecture series. The three sessions already held have attracted over 200,000 viewers both online and offline, with some dedicated fans attending for two years in a row without fail. The next lecture in this series will be on June 9 at 2 PM. Its offline spots are already fully booked. Fans can scan the QR code to follow the official Weibo account for live streaming.
（Scan to Follow）
During Screening>>>
New Subtitling Equipment
and Themed Screenings for Seamless Viewing
This year, 461 films will be showcased at the festival. To enhance the viewing experience, 47 cinemas across the city will upgrade to new subtitling machines. These machines offer low failure rates and minimal delay, with the display color changed from fluorescent green to light gray for a more comfortable viewing experience.
To make the festival experience more convenient, SIFF has optimized its screening schedule by grouping series and films with similar themes together. For example, Tribute to Masters series for the 100th anniversary of the birth of director Yasuzō Masumura and the 110th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Duras, theDocumentary, Animation, and Operacategories, as well as SIFF Vision IMAX and Dolby Vision categories, will be concentrated in single cinemas. This allows fans to "camp out" at one location without rushing between multiple venues, and they can also collect exclusive items like ticket stubs, fridge magnets, and canvas bags from these screenings.
The festival's screening guidebook, known among fans as the "Viewing Bible",will be reissued this year. Jointly produced by SIFF, Youth Daily, and Ctrip, it will be available for free at the 47 screening cinemas before the festival opens.
SIFF is not just for Shanghai residents. As an annual celebration, it attracts numerous out-of-town fans, especially from the Yangtze River Delta. These dedicated attendees have become a driving force at the festival. To ensure they can enjoy the films worry-free, several cinemas, including the Grand Treatre, Majestic Theatre, FANCL Art Center (Yihai Theatre), and Hongqiao Art Centre, will offer luggage storage services. Some mall-based cinemas will provide parking discounts during the festival, and others, like Wanping Theater, will offer special food deals such as mini hamburger platters and bacon potato salad.
After Screening>>>
City Walks to Experience Shanghai's Warmth and Charm
This year's festival poster features the newly renovated Shanghai Film Art Center along with the historic Grand Theatre, Cathay Theatre, and Lyceum Theatre, illuminating the city with cultural brilliance and welcoming film lovers with open arms. To encourage fans to explore Shanghai beyond the cinema, the festival has introduced City Walk routes. These routes are carefully selected for their geographic and historical significance, and highlight cinemas in central areas, with the Grand Theatre, Cathay Theatre, and Lyceum Theatre being key stops. Starting from the Grand Theatre, known as the "First Theatre in the Far East",fans can walk through the city, appreciate historical architecture, and experience the charm of old Shanghai.Other main cinemas on these walks include Shanghai Film Art Center, SFCBOE-α Cinema (Metro City), Hongqiao Art Centre, Wanping Theater, Huangpu Theatre, Majestic Theatre, and Juce Shanghai Center Theatre.
SIFF has also prepared hand-drawn maps of themed routes featuring 10 cinemas. Fans can follow these maps, collect new merchandise like translucent cards, and capture photos of historic cinema buildings, savoring the city's beauty. Finally, a commemorative puzzle map allows fans to take home the wonderful memories of the "City of Films".
SIFF Merchandise –translucent card
