Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling will reveal her surprise to Potterheads at the Shanghai Film Festival. (Photo : Twitter/jk_rowling)
Harry Potter fans have something to look forward to at this year's Shanghai film fest.
All eight Harry Potter movies will be screened at the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival, organizers revealed.
But the special screening of the popular British film installments is only the cherry on top of the cake. Organizers are also cooking up a "surprise" for Potterheads that will be revealed by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling herself.
Fans, however, "will have to wait until the screening of the first film . . . to find out what the surprise is," according to China Radio International. The first of eight films will be shown on June 11.
As early as now, many are speculating that the surprise treat has something to do with the two upcoming projects for the beloved fantasy literature.
First is the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," a prequel to the Harry Potter movie series scheduled for release on Nov. 18, 2016. The film, which marks Rowling's screenwriting debut, is the first part of a planned trilogy.
The other possible surprise is related to the two-part London West End play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," CRI said. The play is scheduled to open by the end of July.
According to festival organizers, the special screenings lined up this year in addition to Pixar favorites are "Oscar Film Panorama," "Tribute to Masters," "4K Renovated Films," "Classic 007 Films Screening" and "Jackie Chan Action Movie Week."
Award-winning movies from the Venice Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival are likewise scheduled, along with new creations of Japanese, European, Americans and Korean directors.
Movies will be showcased in 45 cinemas in Shanghai this year, as well as in universities and communities, organizers said via a press release.
Ticket sales will be available starting June 4 at 8 a.m.
