#China #Shanghai #Shanghai Festival #TV Production #Film Market

Record Participation at Shanghai International Film and TV Market

The Shanghai International Film and TV Market, held in conjunction with the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and the 31st Shanghai Television Festival, recently concluded on June 24, 2026, at the city's exhibition center. This integrated event brought together professionals from the film, television, and online audiovisual sectors, fostering cross-border collaboration and exchanges across various mediums, including feature films, drama series, microseries, documentaries, animation, and audiovisual technologies.

This year, international participation reached unprecedented levels. Approximately 200 exhibitors partook in the market, with 75 foreign exhibitors hailing from 15 different countries and regions, representing a 50% increase over the previous year. Official delegations from countries such as Brazil, Russia, South Korea, and Spain held their own booths, while institutions from nations like Jordan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Croatia showcased their sectoral policies and collaboration opportunities. For instance, the Royal Film Commission of Jordan joined the "Belt and Road" Film Festival Alliance, expanding its network to cover 51 countries with 58 institutional members. Buyers from six major regions, including prominent media groups, public broadcasters, and regional streaming platforms, actively participated as verified attendees.

The Television Festival equally prioritized emerging audiovisual formats on the Internet. The inaugural "Young Creators' Day" featured workshops on AI-generated content creation and microseries production, complemented by focused roundtables examining the potential for high-quality microseries in the AI era. Shanghai’s commitment to supporting the development and international expansion of microseries was also highlighted during the festival.

Digital innovations enhanced the efficiency of business matchmaking. A new online appointment booking system enabled exhibitors and buyers to arrange individual meetings in advance, receiving nearly 300 requests for international appointments immediately after its launch. A variety of professional events concentrated on emerging technologies and new business models within the audiovisual industry. The AI BACKLOT technology forum discussed themes of cross-border co-production, virtual production processes, and AI-based visual creation. The pavilion dedicated to promoting Chinese series internationally stirred substantial interest in short-form Chinese content, attracting licensing and distribution inquiries from platforms in Southeast Asia, India, and Europe. A global trends workshop held on June 21 brought together producers from the UK, India, and Malaysia to discuss international demand for Chinese microseries and new AI-based production models.

According to Chen Guo, the General Manager of the Shanghai International Film and Television Event Center, this market aimed to create ‘mutual dynamization’ by providing international platforms for Chinese content and young creators, opening up new avenues for global cooperation and resource sharing. Recognized as the only category A film festival in China certified by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), the Shanghai International Film Festival received a record 4,100 submissions from 125 countries and regions this year, with 82% being world premieres. This trend underscores the festival's growing international influence and Shanghai’s role as a collaborative hub for the global audiovisual industry.

With an exceptional turnout and groundbreaking innovations, the Shanghai International Film and TV Market continues to strengthen its position as a premier platform for the film and television sectors, fostering creativity and international partnerships in the ever-evolving landscape of media entertainment.