China concludes international film festival amid market recovery

Special arrangements

This year's SIFF was also watched closely for the implementation of a raft of anti-virus measures that kept cinemas operative amid the lingering COVID-19 infection concerns.

In the run-up to the festival, Shanghai's cinemas stepped up disinfections, as well as rehearsals of new practices, such as registration of viewer information and handing out free tissues to clean 3D glasses, officials and industry practitioners said.

The event also held outdoor screenings in the city's seven commercial zones and 36 residential complexes, attracting more than 13,500 viewers.

Some of the activities were moved online, including forums attended by international filmmakers and an online market for films and TV programs.

Such arrangements ensured little disturbance to the event, despite concerns over new cluster infections in China's Xinjiang, Liaoning and Hong Kong, a success that has boosted confidence in the movie sector.

"Without China's success in epidemic prevention and control, it is hard to imagine that we could be gathered here today," said Chinese director Jia Zhangke. "On the other hand, it demonstrates the tenacity of China's movie sector."