SIFF & STVF Partners’ Night: Upgrade Five Sub-brands to Empower New Industry Opportunities

Grateful for the encounters, empowering new opportunities. On the evening of November 29, SIFF and STVF held its “Partner Night”. During the event, Chen Guo, Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., announced that the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival and the 30th Shanghai TV Festival will both launch global calls for submissions in December 2025. She highlighted the comprehensive upgrade of five sub-brands, aiming to deliver a richer and more dynamic experience for both festivals, while encouraging industry partners to collaborate for mutual empowerment and inspire fresh ideas.

Gao Yunfei, Chairman of Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation and Deputy President of SIFF & STVF Organizing Committee, also addressed the attendees. He described SIFF and STVF as the “perfect epitome” of Shanghai’s cultural landscape. He urged both new and old friends from various sectors to embark on a shared journey, navigating the waves of this city of dreams and opportunities and embracing new successes together.

The year 2025 marks the 130th anniversary of global cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. To celebrate this significant milestone, SIFF will introduce two special segments: First, a curated selection showcasing iconic works that have witness the history of both global and Chinese cinema. The “Tribute to Master” section will first pay homage to French New Wave pioneer Agnès Varda, featuring the first large-scale film retrospective of Varda at a domestic film festival, displaying her creative journey at every stage; Second, the festival will focus on the wonderful interplay between literature and film, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the birth of renowned British author Jane Austen, presenting a curated selection of films adapted from her classic novels, along with the cross-disciplinary events themed “Literature X Film”, encouraging filmmakers to draw inspiration from the rich world of literature.

The 30th STVF in 2025 is set to underscore the honor and aspirations of Chinese television professionals. This milestone festival will uphold and carry forward the legacy of Chinese TV realm, tracing its efforts in driving the development and prosperity of the Chinese television industry over thirty years; it will also look to the future to embrace new cultural missions, advocating for “new mainstream”, embracing “new technologies”, and serving “new industries”. Many old friends of the festival have sent warm wishes and good fortune, eagerly anticipating the upcoming audiovisual feast.

Chen Guo revealed that the upcoming SIFF and STVF will see a comprehensive upgrade of its five sub-brands: the Magnolia Awards Ceremony × Lingang, International Film & TV Market, SIFF ING, 4K RESTORATION Classic IP Renewal Program, and SIFF SCREENING. These upgrades are designed to create a new matrix that fosters development possibilities.

This year, the Magnolia Awards Ceremony of STVF was held in the Lingang Special Area for the first time, successfully integrating cultural and tourism elements to create a mutually beneficial outcome. The partnership will continue, with plans for the Magnolia Awards Ceremony to return to Lingang next year, further empowering the development of the new urban area through major events.

United by a shared heritage, SIFF and STVF strive for excellence. Next year, SIFF plans to merge the SIFF Market and STVF Market into the “International Film & TV Market”, leveraging the connection between the two festivals. By innovatively linking diverse market activities across formats, types, and dimensions, this initiative aims to attract a wider audience and gather richer resources, creating an extraordinary event for the film and television industry and providing an open and inclusive platform for industry professionals worldwide to collaborate.

A key mission of SIFF is to discover and nurture new talent. SIFF is actively enhancing its support system for young filmmakers through a “6+1” progressive talent nurturing scheme. In the upcoming year, the first tier – SIFF EXPLORE - will evolve into “SIFF ING”, focusing on “advanced technology”, “new vision”, and “new generation”. This initiative aims to reach out to emerging filmmakers, both domestic and international, who offer unique insights into areas such as AI and vertical screens, thereby infusing the festival with fresh and innovative voices.

Since 2011, SIFF has played a crucial role in restoring classic film prints, promoting the preservation and cultural transmission of Chinese cinema. To date, it has revitalized classics such as TWO STAGE SISTERS, FLOWERS OF SHANGHAI, and NEW YEAR SACRIFICE. Next year, in collaboration with Shanghai Film Group, SIFF will introduce the “4K RESTORATION Classic IP Renewal Program”, aiming to create innovative applications and vibrant display environments through 4K restoration. This program will allow “old films” to inspire “new interpretations”, breathing fresh life into classic IPs, starting with the beloved animated film LOTUS LANTERN.

In its ongoing efforts to present film screenings, SIFF will continue to expand its screening brand, “SIFF SCREENING”. From “Retrospective of French Film Masters 2022” and “Retrospective of Spanish Film Masters” to the recently concluded “Retrospective of German Film Masters”, it is evolving its nation-specific film showcase into a “Film +” cross-disciplinary event, constantly adding the allure of the “City of Film”.

At the event, Chen Guo announced that the much-anticipated “Japanese Film Festival” will return in December, rounding off this year’s “SIFF SCREENING”, featuring the attendance of a renowned Japanese filmmaker. Moreover, the “Japanese Film Festival” will also extend its reach into the Yangtze River Delta, with screenings scheduled in Hangzhou and Ningbo.

During the event, distinguished guests from the film industry - including Li Jie, President of Alibaba Pictures; British documentary filmmaker Arthur Jones; and Wang Liping, Vice President of China Television Artists Association and national first-grade screenwriter - shared their insights and experiences with SIFF. Additionally, representatives from Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. formalized a three-year strategic cooperation agreement (2024-2026) during the gathering.

Li Jie, President of Alibaba Pictures

Arthur Jones, British documentary filmmaker

Wang Liping, Vice President of China Television Artists Association and national first-grade screenwriter

Over 200 attendees, including industry professionals, partners from various sectors, and media representatives, came together to celebrate this momentous occasion.