Grand Cinema
Huangpu · West Nanjing Road
An iconic Art Deco landmark and longtime festival venue. One of Shanghai’s most celebrated historic cinemas.
Shanghai · Cinema · Culture
Explore the luminous film culture of Shanghai — from century-old theaters to Asia’s premier international film festival.
The City of Film
Shanghai has been China’s cinematic capital for over a hundred years. From the golden age of the 1930s to the bold independent voices of today, the city continues to shape how stories are told on screen.
Its streets, Art Deco facades, and neon-lit skyline have appeared in countless films. Historic theaters still stand as living monuments to that legacy, while new venues and festivals keep the conversation global.
The Flagship Event
Founded in 1993 and China’s only FIAPF-accredited competitive feature film festival, SIFF brings the world to Shanghai every June. Hundreds of films, world premieres, Golden Goblet Awards, industry markets, and city-wide screenings turn the metropolis into a ten-day celebration of cinema.
From historic venues like the Grand Cinema and Cathay Theatre to modern multiplexes and the Shanghai Film Art Center, the festival spans every district. Special programs, retrospectives, and fan events make it both an industry hub and a public celebration.
Official SIFF Site →Sacred Screens
These venues have witnessed the evolution of Chinese cinema. Many still host festival screenings and special programs today.
Huangpu · West Nanjing Road
An iconic Art Deco landmark and longtime festival venue. One of Shanghai’s most celebrated historic cinemas.
Huangpu · Middle Huaihai Road
A classic movie palace that has screened films for generations and remains a key SIFF location.
Changning · Xinhua Road
Symbolic home of the festival — host to press screenings, forums, and major events.
Huangpu · Middle Xizang Road
Another historic hall that continues to welcome festival audiences and cinephiles year-round.
Huangpu · South Maoming Road
Elegant and intimate, this venue adds theatrical atmosphere to special screenings and events.
Jing’an
A grand historic space that has returned to the festival lineup, seating over a thousand.
“Shanghai is not just a backdrop — it is a character. Its light, its rhythm, its contradictions become part of every frame.”— On the city as cinema
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