Cast member Chihiro Otsuka promotes the Japanese film "Partners" at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival on Thursday, June 17, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Xie Tingting]

Japanese screenwriters Junichi Inoue and Haruhiko Arai say they have always wanted to make a film about disabled people, children and animals, which are all popular topics in their country. It's the main reason why they wrote the screenplay for "Partners."

The film is one of 16 films in competition for the Golden Goblet award at the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival.

"Partners" is TV director Masaru Shimomura's first feature and depicts a guide dog and her three masters - a young girl who raises her for ten months; the dog's trainer; and a blind singer.

The heartfelt story moved many to tears when it was screened at the festival on Thursday.

"Actually, I decided at the very beginning that this story should not be a tragedy," explained writer Inoue. "The dog, the kid and the blind girl all have their own happy ending."

"Partners" is not the first Japanese film about guide dogs. "Quill", directed by Yoichi Sai, was released in 2004 and was nominated for Best Asian Film at the 2005 Hong Kong Film Awards.

Director Masaru Shimomura said, "We have no plans to challenge 'Quill'. We just hope people will enjoy 'Partners' and get a better understanding of guide dogs' lives after watching the film."

Shimomura also shared an interesting fact - Chie, the guide dog in the film, has so many "body double" Labradors that the director used the word "countless" to describe the number.

The film stars Chihiro Otsuka as the blind singer; Risa Kondo as the young girl; and Yosuke Asari as the guide dog trainer.

The Golden Goblet award winner will be announced this Sunday.

"Partners" director Masaru Shimomura promotes his film at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival on Thursday, June 17, 2010. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Xie Tingting]