英语文摘:Shanghai Int'l Film Festival "in huge capital crisis"

BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Filled with glitz, glamour and a few surprises, the much-anticipated Golden Goblet awards ceremony for the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) wrapped up the event Sunday evening but despite positive outward appearances, SIFF managing director Tang Lijun told the Global Times that the film festival is "in huge capital crisis."

Behind the curtain

Last year the Goblets were telecast live covered by several local TV channels, but due to the shortage of celebrities, this year the cameras were noticeably absent.

Tang said that the organizing committee had no funds available to invite international celebrities to the event. "Film veterans like Sean Connery and Peter Jackson all agreed to come to our festival, but with the requirement to take private jets, which we simply cannot afford," Tang told the Global Times.

She said that the committee had no choice but to turn down international film stars, many of whom wanted to bring their assistants, staff and family members. "For local A-list filmmakers, we also limit the number of their party," Tang explained.

She added that the fact that many SIFF forum guests had to pay for their own flights and accommodation also made her feel uneasy.

"We spent all of the money that we had raised on holding commercial events," a troubled Tang revealed, saying that she is still not sure how to cover this year's cash gap, let alone begin planning for next year.