Shanghai International Film and TV Market Achieves Record Participation from Around the Globe

Shanghai International Film and TV Market 2026: A Record Year

The recently concluded Shanghai International Film and TV Market serves as a significant milestone in the global entertainment landscape. Held in conjunction with the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and the 31st Shanghai TV Festival, this year's market showcased impressive growth, inviting professionals from the film, television, and online media sectors. The event took place at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from June 21 to June 24, 2026.

Unprecedented Participation

This year's participation figures broke records, drawing approximately 200 exhibitors, including an impressive 75 from foreign countries. Overall, exhibitors hailed from 15 different regions, marking a 50% increase compared to the previous year. Notable delegations from Brazil, Russia, South Korea, and Spain established their presence on the ground, while other countries including Jordan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Croatia took the opportunity to present their industry's policies and opportunities for collaboration. Furthermore, the Jordanian Royal Film Commission joined the "Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance," enhancing the network to encompass 51 countries and 58 institutional members.

Diverse Audience Engagement

The market successfully attracted verified buyers from six major global regions, comprising large media corporations, public broadcasters, and local streaming platforms. Aside from promoting feature films and dramas, the event emphasized emerging online audiovisual formats. One highlight was the inaugural Youth Creation Day, which featured workshops on developing AIGC content and micro-dramas, and addressed quality control in micro-drama productions amidst AI advancements.

Innovation Through Digital Tools

Innovations in technology notably improved networking efficiency during the event. A newly introduced online appointment system allowed exhibitors and buyers to arrange one-on-one meetings in advance. Following its launch, nearly 300 requests for cross-border appointments were submitted almost immediately.

Numerous industry events concentrated on emerging technologies and innovative business strategies within the film and television sectors. The AI BACKLOT technology forum explored transnational co-productions, workflows in virtual production, and AI-driven visual design. The pavilion dedicated to promoting Chinese series abroad saw heightened interest in Chinese short-form content, attracting platforms from Southeast Asia, India, and Europe that sought to explore licensing and distribution opportunities.

On June 21, a workshop addressing global trends gathered producers from the UK, India, and Malaysia, focusing on the international demand for Chinese microseries and new AI-driven production models. Chen Guo, Managing Director of the Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center, emphasized the market's role in fostering mutual enhancement, offering global platforms for Chinese content and emerging creatives, while simultaneously opening broader channels for international collaborations and resource exchanges.

Record Submissions

As China’s only A-list film festival recognized by FIAPF, the Shanghai International Film Festival received a record-breaking 4,100 submissions from 125 countries this year, with a striking 82% being world premieres. This further evidences the festival's increasing international influence and positions Shanghai as a pivotal hub for global cooperation in the film and television industries.

The success of this year's Shanghai International Film and TV Market highlights the region's dedication to promoting creative exchanges and exploring new frontiers within the entertainment sector.