The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival on the Chinese mainland buzzed with excitement as seven celebrated Italian films lit up the screen under the Italian Screens program. From the infectious comedy FolleMente to the intense drama Il Nibbio, the lineup showcased the richness of Italy’s storytelling traditions.
Director Paolo Genovese quipped after the FolleMente screening, “After Perfect Strangers made couples break up, this time I want people to fall in love!” His joke set the tone for a lively post-screening event, where Italian filmmakers and Chinese mainland cinephiles exchanged insights over shared laughs.
Roberto Stabile of Italy’s Cinema Department revealed that an annual €2 million fund fuels the Italian Screens initiative, providing up to €50,000 per title for overseas releases. “We hope Chinese mainland audiences can sample Italy’s charm through movies,” he said, underlining the program’s cultural mission.
Earlier this year, Paola Cortellesi’s poignant drama There’s Still Tomorrow earned 45 million yuan at the box office on the Chinese mainland, a clear sign that the partnership is paying off. With Italian films rolling out worldwide, viewers from Tokyo to Toronto can soon dive into Italy’s eclectic narratives.
For young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, thought leaders, and pop culture fans, this cinematic exchange is more than entertainment—it’s a testament to the power of film to forge cultural bridges and inspire new collaborations across borders.
Reference(s):
Italian films shine in Shanghai, boosting Sino-Italian cinematic ties
cgtn.com
