Shanghai Daily news

After a stars-studded opening night on Saturday, the Eighth Shanghai International Film Festival is now getting down to business.
The jury panel is ready to screen the 17 films competing for the top prize, the Jin Jue, or Golden Goblet. And movie buffs are enjoying a schedule featuring hundreds of offerings.
The festival's curtain rose in an evening of glitz and glamour at the Shanghai Grand Theater. Among the film stars and directors walking the red carpet were Zhang Yimou, Jackie Chan and Joan Chen.
At the opening ceremony, director Zhang and kung-fu hero Chan received special awards for their contributions to the Chinese film industry.
"This year marks the centennial of Chinese cinema," said Zhang. "Many old Chinese film artists have paved the road for the younger generation, which must now shoulder the responsibility for promoting Chinese films to the world."
One of the festival's key focal points is the Jin Jue International Film Forum at the Crown Plaza Hotel.
Yesterday's topic was Chinese kung fu films, and the audience received insights from an expert.
"Kung fu films, through their fabulous body language, are an effective channel to promote Chinese culture to the Western world," said Chan during a special appearance.
Over the next six days, the forum will feature discussions on Chinese cinema, Asian films, animation and the international movie market.
For the public, perhaps the best part of the annual festival is the "Film Panorama."
Seventeen cinemas, including the Shanghai Film Art Center, Studio City Cinema and Paradise Warner Cinema City, are screening some 200 films from home and abroad.
The shanghai Film Art Center, the festival's main venue, is also holding an exhibition of new Chinese pictures and timeless classics.
Thirteen old Chinese films such as "Laborer's Love" and "Springtime in a Small Town," and recent award-winning works including "Peach Blossoming" and "Kekexili" are on the schedule.
The festival is also providing a special showcase for German movies.
"Focus Germany," which began yesterday with a reception hosted by the German consul-general, will screen 16 films.