Disney/Pixar's Monsters University will open the 16th annual Shanghai International Film Festival this year,Disney/Pixar and Shanghai organizers announced on June 6.

The movie, which will be screened on June 15, is the first animated feature chosen to open the festival. It is also the first 3D opener.

Directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae, Monsters University is the prequel to the original film Monsters, Inc. The story tells how one-eyed green orb Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) befriended fluffy blue giant Sulley (John Goodman) on a college campus. The movie will open in the US on June 21.

'I'm so happy that Monsters University will be the first animation ever to open Shanghai International Film Festival,' said John Lasseter, Disney/Pixar's chief creative officer, 'This is a great honor for us. Shanghai is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. We are thrilled to be part of its special events.'

Disney also announced that Lost in Thailand director and actor Xu Zheng will voice Sulley in the Chinese version of the film. He will walk the red carpet along with popular TV host He Jiong, who will voice Mike in the Chinese release.

In addition to Monsters University, Walt Disney Studios will also screen 16 Pixar short films in Shanghai, including Partly Cloudy, La Luna, Luxo Jr. and its newest short, The Blue Umbrella. Tim Burton's Frankenweenie and the 3-D rerelease of Finding Nemo will also be screened. Disney/Pixar has yet to announce Monsters University's release date in China, but studio representatives said it would be this summer.

The 16th Shanghai International Film Festival will run from June 15 to June 23. Filmmakers from around the world are expected to attend.

(china.org.cn)