The 30th Shanghai TV Festival Kicks Off Today

On the morning of June 23, the opening ceremony of the 30th Shanghai TV Festival (STVF) was held in the Central Hall of the Shanghai Exhibition Center. With the theme “Thirty & Thriving: Screen Arts’ New Horizon”, the event brought together numerous television professionals from home and abroad, including many who witnessed the inaugural Shanghai TV Festival in 1986, for a heartfelt reunion in this pivotal hub of Chinese television by the Huangpu River. Together, they reflected on the past and embarked on a new chapter.

Attendees at the ceremony included Liu Jianguo, Deputy Director and Member of the Leading Party Members Group of the National Radio and Television Administration; Zhao Jiaming, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC; Jiang Wenbo, Member of the Editorial Board of China Media Group; Xia Kejia, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government; as well as international guests Ismayilov, Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency, and Sattarov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Audiovisual Council. Liu Jianguo officially declared the festival open.

This year marks the 30th edition of the Shanghai TV Festival. The opening ceremony featured a special pairing of hosts: Chen Yanhua, the beloved host of the inaugural edition of STVF (affectionately known as “Sister Swallow” by audiences), and Cao Kefan, the festival’s most frequent emcee. As the words “Sister Swallow, long time no see” echoed across the venue, accompanied by vintage footage from the first opening ceremony on the big screen, many in the audience were moved to tears. “It’s my first time seeing this archival footage, but I still remember the nerves and excitement from back then,” Chen Yanhua shared emotionally. “Television was so simple in those days, with far fewer technical resources. Now, it’s a vibrant landscape of endless creativity - a diversity and richness we could hardly have imagined back then.”

The tides of technology surge forward, but the aspiration of great storytelling remains unchanged. Over three decades, the memories and momentum of STVF have been passed down through generations of television professionals, driving the industry to ever greater heights. As this year’s “Magnolia Youth Ambassador”, young actor Tan Jianci admitted feeling “filled with reverence” at this moment. “Only by honing my craft with dedication can I live up to this trust,” he said sincerely.

He then invited three television luminaries who have left indelible marks in the history of the Magnolia Awards to take the stage - a tribute to craftsmanship and classics. Director Yan Jiangang, who chaired the jury for both the 21st and 29th editions, reflected emotionally: “From its pioneering beginnings to its radiant 30th edition, the Magnolia Awards have witnessed the flourishing diversity of Chinese television - from dramas and documentaries to animation and variety programs.” Actress Tong Yao, who won Best Supporting Actress at the 25th edition and Best Actress at the 27th, shared her deep connection: “Growing alongside the festival, I’m moved by how generations of TV creators have poured their dedication into moments now etched in Magnolia’s legacy.” Screenwriter Qin Wen, a two-time winner for The First Half of My Life (24th) and Blossoms (29th), emphasized: “Magnolia Awards has walked alongside Chinese television, celebrating each genre’s brilliance.” Together, these three generations wove a vivid tapestry of industry history, closing with a collective wish: “May the Magnolia’s brilliance never fade, its petals forever unfurling in timeless splendor” - a testament to the enduring vitality of art.

Rooted in China, embracing the world, STVF’s 30-year journey continues to broaden its horizons. Chen Guo, Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., joined Yan Jiangang, Qin Wen, Tong Yao, and Tan Jianci to launch the 30th edition’s “Shanghai Magnolia Global Promotion Initiative”. This program will leverage the festival’s international influence to expand its “global network”, helping more radio, film, and TV works - steeped in cultural heritage, reflecting contemporary Chinese life, and carrying global appeal - reach audiences worldwide. From 16 participating countries in its early days to 57 today, the festival has evolved from “importing” content to actively “exporting” China’s narratives. With growing confidence in shaping discourse, outstanding Chinese productions are now breaking barriers and sailing forth, charting a course for Eastern aesthetics on the global stage.

Following the opening ceremony, the highly anticipated judging process for this year’s Magnolia Awards officially commences. Fairness, impartiality, and professionalism remain the ballast of the Magnolia Awards’ global voyage. Chen Baoguo, president of the TV drama jury and renowned Chinese actor, emphasized that outstanding works must “distill the essence of human experience, weaving the fabric of civilization within the frame of light and shadow.” He noted that this year’s nominated dramas “demonstrate both the craftsmanship of chronicling our era and the courage to push boundaries, revealing moving glimpses of ordinary life illuminated by extraordinary artistry. Using the camera as their pen, these works etch eternal imprints of human civilization into life’s details, building bridges of understanding across diverse cultures.” Vikram Channa, president of the documentary jury and Indian filmmaker, asserted that exceptional documentaries should “illuminate neglected corners and give voice to the unheard.” Regarding this milestone 30th edition’s nominees, he observed: “The selected works present rich and profound human perspectives, uncovering complex social realities. These works don’t just document - they remind us how we collectively inhabit this world.” Rita Ritter, president of the animation jury and American animation producer, praised the medium’s power to “leap boundaries through vibrant visuals.” This year’s nominations particularly “showcase astonishing stylistic and narrative diversity - some challenge traditions through bold innovation, while others resonate through emotional storytelling and universal themes.”

From June 23 to 27, the five-day festival will feature a series of events including the Magnolia Awards Selection, STVFORUM, International Film & TV Market, and International TV Showcase. The grand “Magnolia Awards Ceremony” will take place on the evening of June 27 at the Lingang Performing Arts Center.

“Thirty & Thriving”, standing at this milestone, we reflect on three decades of accumulated glory and legendary moments in screen storytelling. Looking ahead to new horizons, STVF will continue to build “bridges for cultural exchange” with even greater openness, allowing the spirit of Magnolia Awards - carrying Eastern wisdom and the ethos of our times - to blossom across the vast landscape of world civilizations.

The 30th 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.