Registration Q&A for the 29th STVF

Registration Q&A

Q: Our company’s program has been streamed online only. Are we eligible for the competition?

A: The Magnolia Awards of the 29th Shanghai TV Festival (STVF) accepts the registration of online audiovisual content. We welcome submissions from both domestic and foreign TV dramas, documentaries, animations, and variety programs that have been exclusively broadcasted online.

In the Chinese TV Drama category, according to the regulations, eligible entries are “TV dramas broadcasted on satellite channels in China (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions) or TV dramas premiered on video websites”. If your program has only been streamed online, please select “Distribution Platform - Online Only” during the registration process and provide the “TV Drama Distribution License Number” or the “Online TV Drama Distribution License Number” as required.

Q: Our program is scheduled to premiere on March 31st next year. Are we eligible for the competition?

A: For the Chinese TV Drama and Variety Program categories, it will be eligible to register. The regulations of these two categories specify that the program should have premiered between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. However, for the Documentary, Animation, and Foreign TV Drama categories, the regulations require the program to have premiered between March 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024. Therefore, your program’s premiere date must fall within the specified period accordingly to register.

It is required that the start date of the program’s broadcast, rather than the end date, shall be within the given timeframe.

Q: Our program is co-produced by multiple companies. Who should be responsible for submitting the entry?

A: If there are multiple producers, any one of them can submit the entry on behalf of the collaborative effort after negotiation. However, it is important to accurately fill out the “Producer Information” section. Please note that each work can only be submitted once.

Q: What format is required for the video and high-definition trailer in the program’s registration materials?

A: Please provide high-definition videos with a resolution of 1920x1080, in formats such as MP4, MKV, MOV, or any other computer-compatible playing format.

Q: In the registration materials, we are required to submit a high-definition trailer (up to 3 minutes). If we have different versions of the trailer that run for 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 2 minutes respectively for example, which version will be preferred?

A: As long as the duration of the trailers doesn’t exceed 3 minutes, you can submit them all.

Q: For what occasions will the materials, posters, and signed stills of the program, as required in the regulations, utilized?

A: The materials, posters, and signed stills of the program will be used by STVF’s official Weibo account, WeChat Official Account, official website, etc., to promote the registered programs and interact with fans.

Q: If an entry is still in the broadcasting phase at the time of submission and it is impossible to provide a sample of the final episode, would it be ok to substitute it with samples from other episodes?

A: Yes, if you are unable to provide the sample of the final episode, you can communicate with the organizing committee first, and provide it later.

Q: Is it allowed to add a logo or watermark to the sample?

A: Yes, as long as it doesn’t affect the viewing effect.

Q: Is it necessary to add Chinese subtitles to a TV drama/documentary/animation with English dialog before submitting it?

A: For TV dramas/documentaries/animations with English dialogue, it is enough to provide English subtitles and there is no need to add Chinese ones.

Q: I am a director/actor/actress, and the work I directed/acted in was broadcasted last year. Can I apply for the Magnolia Awards for Best Director, Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role, or Best Actor/Actress in a Supporting Role in the Chinese TV drama category with it?

A: The Magnolia Awards for Chinese TV dramas are open for applications by the copyright-holding production or distribution company (referred to as the producer or distributor) of the TV drama. Applications from individuals will not be not accepted. You can request the producer or distributor to submit the drama for competition. Once a drama is submitted, it will be considered to compete in all categories of the Magnolia Awards for Chinese TV dramas, except that the producer or distributor may choose to opt out of certain specific award categories.

Q: Can single-episode animations or animated miniseries be submitted for the Magnolia Awards?

A: Animated series, single-episode animations, or animated productions for one-off broadcast are all eligible for the Magnolia Awards, as long as they premiere between March 1, 2023 and February 29, 2024.

Q: Is there any specific requirement on the duration of a single documentary episode?

A: No. There is no duration requirement for it.