SHANGHAI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has received more than 3,900 applications from 112 countries and regions, its organizers said Monday.

Among the films, over 1,800 are from 53 countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

After selection the festival, which will be held from June 15 to 24, will screen about 500 movies from home and abroad in the city's 47 cinemas.

The competition for this year's Golden Goblet Awards features a strong presence of Belt and Road movies, including "IL Grande Spirito" from Italy, "Shirin's Castle" from Iran and "Shyrakshy" from Kazakhstan.

The SIFF first launched "The Belt and Road" Unit at the 18th SIFF held in 2015, aiming to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The festival this year will also hold a "Belt and Road Film Week," when 24 films will be screened.