Italian film director Giuseppe Tornatore, renowned for classics like "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso," "La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano" ("The Legend of 1900"), and "Malena," has been appointed as the jury president for the main competition section of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF).

Italian film director Giuseppe Tornatore has handwritten a congratulatory note to the upcoming 27th Shanghai International Film Festival. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 27th SIFF is scheduled to take place from June 13 to 22.

"Film festivals are not only a time to celebrate cinema — more importantly, it's one of those moments when filmmakers from various countries meet, exchange ideas, and above all watch brilliant films together," Tornatore said after accepting the invitation from the SIFF organizing committee on Friday.

The Italian director extended his greetings and invitations to filmmakers worldwide, particularly emphasizing the festival's vital role for young filmmakers.

"For new directors, this is an exceptional opportunity to launch their careers and potentially achieve success through the festival," he added. "May this edition be a resounding success, and may such festivals continue for many more editions!"

Born in Sicily, Italy in 1956, Tornatore joined the film industry at 16. As one of the most recognized Italian directors in the world, Tornatore is celebrated for his "magical touch in deconstructing real-world dilemmas," according to the SIFF organizing committee. Through his career spanning more than four decades, Tornatore has won the Grand Prix at the 42 Cannes Film Festival, the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Oscars, and the Grand Jury Prize at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival.

The 2025 SIFF coincides with several significant anniversaries, including the 130th anniversary of world cinema, the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.

Bridging cultures through the art of film, from Rome to Shanghai, the SIFF organizing committee said it holds high expectation to see how Giuseppe Tornatore's "rich romanticism" transcend geographical boundaries to resonate with each viewer.

Organizers also hope that Tornatore's "professional yet almost detached" approach will inspire film enthusiasts from all over the world. "We also hope that led by him, the new Golden Goblet Awards Jury will foster cultural exchange and mutual learning of film cultures, contributing to the diversified development of world cinema."