Shanghai increasingly favored by sci-fi filmmakers

"Nowadays, Shanghai is more often depicted as an international metropolis which is even more futuristic than North America," Yan said, adding that the change of the city's image on film has reflected the transformation of the city itself and how it is perceived by the world.

"In the eyes of Western filmmakers, Shanghai is an integration of both Western and Chinese culture, which perfectly meets their imagination," he explained.

According to Shi Chun, a professor with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Shanghai's special fusion of past, present and future has made it an ideal setting for sci-fi.

"Shanghai is one of the most futuristic cities in the world, which is not only a result of its architecture, but also the economic status of the country," Shi said.

As the world's second-largest economy, China's economic strength and its developing potential have also bought it a major place in the film market. China is now the second-largest film market after the United States, with a box office exceeding 21.7 billion yuan (about $3.5 billion) in 2013.

Terri Tatchell, scriptwriter for science-fiction film "District 9," believes Shanghai is an exciting and intriguing city with European-style architecture, stylish cafes and modern skyscrapers, qualities which have led her to study its history and stories.

Shanghai should have its own science-fiction stories, said Tatchell, who hopes to set one of her own narratives in the city one day.