The annual Shanghai International Film Festival opened its doors on Saturday. Attending the event are some of the biggest starts both from China and abroad. Some of the notable celebrities that have graced the red carpet include Jackie Chan, Fan Bingbing, Bradley Cooper, and Sir Ian McKellen.
This year's panel of jury is headed by the Serbian filmmaker and actor Emir Kusturica. Heading the Asian New Talent Awards panel is Hong Kong director Yee Tung-shing.
Other international celebrities were also present at the event. Chinese-American film director Ang Lee was spotted on the event. South Korean actor Lee Min-ho was also seen at the opening night supporting his film Mr. Bounty Hunter, which is competing in the festival.
As part of the festival's tribute to the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare, the committee invited Sir Ian McKellen, who is known to have played many notable Shakespearean characters throughout his career. However, he is best known for his role as Gandalf in the movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. During the opening ceremony of the festival, McKellen and Chinese actor Jiao Huang performed selected parts of Shakespeare's works from Hamlet and As You Like It.
The Shanghai International Film Festival will run until June 19. The festival is expected to screen at least 600 films across 36 categories. Notable professionals, scholars and experts in the film industry will gather in Shanghai to discuss investments in China's growing movie sector.
During the opening night, the movie Cold War II was screened. The film is the sequel to the 2013 film Cold War, which won nine Hong Kong Film Awards and went on to become one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed movies of that year.
The winner of the festival's most coveted award, the Golden Goblet, will be announced on June 19. On the other hand, the winner of the Asian New Talent Award will be announced on June 17.
