Industry Veterans and Rising Talents Chart Future Pathways for Chinese TV Dramas

Broadcasting leaders, veteran scriptwriters and young innovators presented a focused showcase of the latest achievements and future development of Chinese TV drama production at a featured event of the 31st Shanghai Television Festival on June 22.

They exchanged views at the forum titled "Heritage and Innovation: A Contemporary Dialogue on Chinese Dramas" held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

Feng Shengyong, Director General of the Television Drama Department, National Radio and Television Administration, highlighted the significance and functions of television dramas in the current era. Emphasizing their multifaceted value, he urged industry professionals to pursue “win-win” cooperations and deliver more high-quality television dramas to audiences.

During a keynote session, industry figures shared their thoughts on how to effectively balance narrative quality with innovation.

Zhang Yongxin, jury president for the Drama category at this year's Magnolia Awards, revealed that sincerity and passion were two indispensable qualities when making films.

"While filming, we must maintain a sincere attitude and ensure historical accuracy," he said. "Furthermore, we should have a deep passion for the subjects we portray, turning every detail of the story into a source of inspiration for our creative practice."

He then advocated for creators to always uphold a simple and down-to-earth creative approach to produce high-quality works.

Karen Fu, producer of Swords into Plowshares, elaborated on the distinctive qualities required for a drama to gain recognition. She believed that what truly resonates with the world are works born from genuine emotion, innovative expression, and meticulous refinement.

Six creators, including Fang Fang, Kong Ergou, Passsee Mu, Qi Kang, Yuan Zidan, and Zhang Wei, were invited to participate in a roundtable session titled "New-Gen Narratives." 

Passsee Mu, nominated for Best Original Screenplay at this year’s Magnolia Awards for his work Man’s Inhumanity to Man, emphasized that the key to creating a successful TV series was the element of its inherent tension.

"A scenario that sustains tension from its surface to its core can hold an audience's attention even when moving at a slow pace," he said. "However, overemphasizing ‘speed’ makes it difficult for viewers to engage with the work."

Yuan Zidan, who was nominated for Best Screenplay last year, also believes that pursuing fast-paced production at the expense of plot quality will never yield a good TV series.

"When it comes to speed, we truly cannot compete with short-form dramas that do not require strict logical coherence," she observed. "Long-form dramas must not only tell compelling stories but also convey profound cultural significance and provoke social reflection."