SHANGHAI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has accepted more than 3,400 applications from 108 countries and regions.

The films from the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative were a highlight in the 2018 SIFF, which will be held from June 16 to 25.

The SIFF organizers said Sunday they have accepted more than 1,300 films from nearly 50 Belt and Road countries and regions, with 154 of them being selected to be screened at the the 2018 SIFF.

The SIFF organizers say that they first launched "The Belt and Road" Unit at the 18th SIFF held in 2015, aiming to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Film festival organizers in about 30 Belt and Road countries are expected to form a coalition at the 2018 SIFF, hoping to share information, recommend films, invite filmmakers and start joint projects.

Also, a "Belt and Road Film Week" will be held by the 2018 SIFF organizers in cooperation with Pudong New Area of Shanghai, to screen films produced by countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and organize related round-table meetings.