STVF Market | Unleashing the Power of a Mature Trading Platform

From June 24 to 26, the STVF market of the 29th Shanghai TV Festival was held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. This year, the market demonstrated its role as a mature trading platform in Asia, from policy promotion and content release to business negotiations.

Policy Promotion:

“Film and TV+” Driving Industry Integration

On the opening day of the STVF market, representatives from the film and TV industries across the nation gathered in Shanghai, with delegates from Shanghai, Sichuan, Fujian, and Anhui introduced their unique film and cultural tourism policies at the Promotion Conference of “Film and TV + Cultural Tourism”, aiming to foster innovative and integrated development of the TV drama industry.

For a decade, the Shanghai Broadcasting Film & Television Producers Association has provided outstanding “Shanghai Service” to filmmakers, offering 116 types of consulting and coordination services in four major categories, building a brand known for meticulous service. Sichuan Province supports influential art projects with grants of up to 20 million yuan, or 30% of the total project investment, to encourage the production of quality content, talent, profits and brands.

To support TV drama production and the integration of cultural tourism, Fujian Province has launched the “Filming in Fujian” WeChat Mini Program and established a special fund for TV drama production, covering the entire production cycle from location scouting and scriptwriting to filming, promotion, and broadcasting rewards. Anhui Province has issued policies including “Guideline to Accelerate the Construction of a Culturally Strong Province”. Shenzhen provides comprehensive services for film crews, including location scouting, company establishment, film investment, and coordination. Alongside, Ningbo and Zhejiang are offering one-stop services to production teams.

The success of the TV drama BLOSSOMS SHANGHAI also relied on financial policy support. Shanghai Bank provided significant credit support for the drama. At the financial services promotion meeting, the bank introduced the latest financial solutions for filmmakers, such as special services and preferential policies for cultural and creative enterprises, cultural sponsorship, and special funds to facilitate the smooth implementation of film and TV projects. They also launched the “Hundred Currency Plan” to help Chinese film and TV projects enter the markets of countries along the Belt and Road.

During the STVF, several technical-themed professional forums were held in succession. The “High Quality, 0mnimedia, Grand Audiovisual” Themed Seminar focused on discussions about ultra-high-definition development trends, all-media practice and exploration, and new broadcasting technologies such as generative artificial intelligence. The “High-Tech Audiovisual and AIGC Technology Innovation Seminar” delved into cutting-edge professional technologies. While the “Yangtze River Delta District and County Media Integration Technology Seminar” deeply explored innovative practices of integrated media technology in content production, distribution channels, and user interaction.

Content Releases:

Showcasing Latest Achievements

The STVF Market serves as a barometer for the domestic TV industry, emphasizing content as the core. Over three days, international and domestic TV institutions unveiled their latest works and collaborations, drawing industry attention.

Representatives from Nicaragua showcased their country’s social atmosphere, scenic advantages, hospitable customs and cultural heritage through a promotional video. Apart from Nicaragua, Hungary’s national TV station MTVA presented the program LET THE FESTIVAL BEGIN! which celebrates legendary performers who have left a lasting legacy in the arts, evoking fond memories of past times.

Fuji Television Network, Inc. from Japan showcased new dramas produced over the past year, such as BARAKAMON, focusing on islander stories, MY BELOVED FLOWER, addressing modern youth social issues, and BLUE MOMENT, depicting the struggles of special disaster response team members. Vietnam’s VSTV / K+ brought the local blockbuster HELLBOUND VILLAGE, a phenomenon on Netflix Vietnam and other platforms. UK’s All3Media International announced the upcoming release of the highly anticipated British drama I, JOAN in September, telling the story of a famous female thief.

During the STVF, TVB Hong Kong held the “Hello Hong Kong · Hello TVB” event, unveiling eight new dramas, including FORENSIC HEROES 6, DARKSIDE OF THE MOON, THE QUEEN OF CASTLE, and THE QUEEN OF NEWS 2 on Youku, while NO ROOM FOR CRIME, BIG BIZ DUEL, NO RETURN, and ONE-TWELFTH will appear on Tencent Video. TVB also announced the release of INFINITY AND BEYOND 2 in cooperation with Mango TV later this year. They highlighted a live recruitment program with Douyin for TVB artists and the eagerly awaited documentary series NO POVERTY LAND 4. TVB also initiated the “Co-existence and Prosperity - Hong Kong and Mainland Cultural Co-actions” with mainland broadcasting institutions and online platforms to promote Chinese stories around the globe.

Business Negotiations:

International Exhibitors Extend Olive Branches

This year, the STVF market gathered top-tier institutions from across the TV industry chain, becoming a one-stop resource hub for TV production, distribution, and procurement. The event featured the “Shanghai Audiovisual” theme pavilion, Shanghai Media Group (SMG), New Classics Media, Xixi Pictures, Shanghai Broadcasting Film & Television Producers Association, Shanghai Science and Technology Film City, Shanghai International Tourism Resort, China (Shanghai) Internet Audio-Visual Industry Base Yangpu Area (Great Knowledge and Innovation Community Park), Taiwan Pavilion, Korea Creative Content Agency, IMS Malaysia Shooting Base, MIPCOM-Entertainment Content Market, Kansai TV, KAKAO Entertainment, IRIB Media Trade, and other domestic and international film and TV production and distribution companies, shooting bases, and institutions.

Over the three days, the STVF Market saw bustling booths and active business negotiations. The booth of Iran’s national broadcasting company, IRIB Media Trade, was particularly popular, with many partners eager to discuss cooperation. This was the first time IRIB Media Trade participated in the STVF, choosing Shanghai for its international influence after thorough research.

The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) had a large and bustling booth, with over ten Korean TV stations and film companies, including SBS, KBS, and MBC, participating. Nonsense Formats, established three years ago and attending for the first time, promoted its variety show KIDS’ TASTE, judged by teenagers. AK Entertainment and LYD, both professional distributors, showcased their latest TV works and programs.

The IMS Malaysia Shooting Base booth attracted attention as well. The base served as the filming location for three iQIYI dramas with Nanyang themes: THE LITTLE NYONYA, THE FERRYMAN · LEGENDS OF NANYANG and SISTERHOOD. The base offers a mix of Malaysian and Southeast Asian features, with outdoor locations, indoor studios, water studios, and post-production facilities. The base’s representative said they welcome Chinese crews for filming and revealed that several production companies have already reached cooperation intentions during the exhibition.

The 29th STVF is hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration, China Media Group, and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and organized by Shanghai Municipal Administration of Radio and Television and Shanghai Media Group, with co-organization by the Administration Committee of Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and special support from Shanghai Lingang Special Area Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd.