MUMBAI: Christie will serve as the exclusive digital projection partner for the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) for the seventh consecutive year. 

The Christie Solaria CP4230 DLP 4K Digital Cinema Projector will screen the opening and closing films at the event, which takes place from 13 – 31 June, 2015.

Known as China’s only non-specialized competitive international film festival accredited by the Paris-based Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films (FIAPF), the festival kicked off in style with the screening of veteran Hong Kong director Derek Yee’s new film, I Am Somebody, while China-Russian co-production Ballet in the Flames of War will close the event.

Shot on location at Zhejiang Hengdian World Studios, I Am Somebody is a comedy about the lives of extras working at China's largest film studio. The film is self-financed by Yee and stars unknowns but has numerous star cameos, including celebrities Daniel Wu and Anita Yuen. On the other hand, closing film Ballet in the Flames of War is a romance set during the Second World War. Directed by China’s Yachun Dong and Russia’s Nikita Mikhalkov, the film opened the Chinese Film Festival in Moscow last month.

Christie Asia Pacific vice president Lin Yu said, “Christie is honored to present this premium movie-screening experience to all the guests at this year’s SIFF. With over 85 years of experience in the movie industry, Christie’s digital cinema projectors have achieved illustrious success in the entertainment industry. Every year, the best film professionals around the world gather in Shanghai for this dazzling event and we are delighted to be associated with the SIFF, which is one of the most prominent film festivals in the world.”

A star-studded lineup of local and international movie celebrities is expected to attend this year’s SIFF red carpet ceremonies, including Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Yao Chen, Jackie Chan, Aaron Kwok, Leon Lai, Liu Ye and Eddie Peng.