Shanghai Intl Film and TV Festival reveals juries, events and highlights

The Shanghai International Film and TV Festival will return this June, organizers announced at a press conference in Beijing on May 15, unveiling this year's juries, events and highlights.

Organizers introduce this year's Shanghai International Film and TV Festival at a press conference in Beijing, May 15, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Guided by the China Film Administration and hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) will take place from June 12 to 21. The 31st Shanghai TV Festival (STVF), hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration, CMG and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, will follow from June 22 to 26.

In March, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations reaffirmed SIFF as China's sole "A-list" festival, a designation reserved for the world's top-tier competitive film festivals.

The 28th SIFF received approximately 4,100 film submissions from 125 countries and regions, setting a new record, with first-time submissions from Ghana and Mozambique. Around 3,000 films met the competition criteria, with 82% being world or international premieres.

Legendary actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai will serve as president of the main competition jury for the Golden Goblet Awards, while Singaporean director Anthony Chen will chair the Asian New Talent section. The jury will comprise 21 members from 16 countries and regions.

The Belt and Road Film Festival Alliance, initiated by SIFF, now includes 57 partners from 50 countries. This year's Belt and Road Film Week will promote cultural exchange between China and Arab countries through a series of activities. The festival will also mark the 70th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic ties with an Egyptian film week and celebrate the China-Brazil Year of Culture with a special screening event.

SIFF will present over 420 international films across more than 1,500 screenings. Retrospectives will include tributes to Billy Wilder, Marilyn Monroe and Ken Loach. The "In Memory Of" section will honor Chinese legends Sang Hu, Huang Zuolin and Shen Yaoting. A Chinese-language program, "Grand Landscape," will feature about 15 films showcasing China's cultural diversity. The festival will also highlight IMAX, Dolby and films incorporating AI technologies.

SIFF and STVF will run an extended screening campaign from June 12 to 28. For one week after SIFF closes, audiences will be able to revisit Golden Goblet Award winners and other favorites through an encore screening program. The official schedule will be released on June 2, with ticket sales starting on June 5 via the Taopiaopiao platform.

The 31st STVF received over 1,000 submissions from 60 countries and regions, up 39.5% from last year. Foreign TV drama submissions rose from 142 to 184, with the number ofparticipating countries increasing from 28 to 37. Chinese director Zhang Yongxin will chair the Magnolia Awards' TV drama jury, which features 15 members from seven countries.

Posters for the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and the 31st Shanghai TV Festival. [Photo courtesy of the Shanghai International Film and TV Festival Organizing Committee]

Both festivals will emphasize on emerging technologies. SIFF has partnered with Hailuo AI to launch "AI Backlot," an AI-powered production program that has drawn about 500 applicants, over 60% of whom were born in the 1990s and 2000s. STVF will launch the "Multiverse Micro-Drama Project" to steer micro-dramas toward higher-quality content.

SIFF's talent development program includes a new mobile filmmaking camp, industry training and public workshops, with an emphasis on commercial filmmaking talent. The SIFFORUM forum, themed "Converge, Discover, Lead," will provide a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their work and engage in cross-cultural dialogue.

The festival will also look to boost the local film economy, directing audiences into commercial districts and neighborhoods and integrating cinema with tourism, culture and commerce. It will also host more than 100 meet-and-greets via the Xiaohongshu social media platform and introduce a salon for face-to-face dialogues with filmmakers.

Free offline public screenings will feature sections including "Joyful Childhood," "Dazzling Planet" and "A Different Life," with additional programming tied to the China-Brazil Year of Culture. Film screenings will be paired with filmmaker meet-and-greets, while the TV showcase will broadcast selected Magnolia entries and acclaimed international programs.

The Stellar Splendor & Urban Pulse: Shanghai International Film & TV Festival Special Exhibition will open on May 20, featuring more than 500 rare physical artifacts and historical archives alongside AI-powered interactive installations.