As part of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, the Belt and Road Film Week kicked off in the eastern Chinese metropolis of Shanghai on Saturday.

A total of 20 films from home and abroad will be screened at this year's festival. Among them, eight films including the Chinese film 'Absence' and the Hungarian film 'Six Weeks' will compete for the award.

A film is a performance of life and dreams. "People want to share deep feelings through movies," said Chinese actor Lei Jiayin. He is also the promotional ambassador for this year's Belt and Road Film Festival.

"Filmmakers around the world also hope to create more masterpieces that showcase the history, present and future of the Belt and Road," Lei said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance.

The Belt and Road Movie Week will run until June 18. Apart from the screening sessions, it will include a summit, interactive forum and many other competitions.