Shanghai TV Market Launches Dual-Venue Format to Boost Chinese Exports
The Shanghai International Film & TV Market is taking on a fresh approach this year with a new dual-venue format at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The market will feature separate spaces for international company pavilions and a dedicated arena where Chinese content sellers can connect with buyers from major markets such as the U.K., France, Brazil, and Canada.
The international pavilion will showcase institutions from various countries including Thailand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Brazil, and Spain. The focus will be on foreign production showcases and promoting locations in Europe and the Middle East. On the other hand, the Chinese promotion venue will host matchmaking sessions categorized by films, drama series, and microdramas. Additionally, there will be international industry salons and promotions for cultural tourism routes.
Chen Guo, the managing director of Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center, highlights that this year’s TV forum programming will center on facilitating global content deals. Decision-makers from major global platforms will engage in discussions on market trends, purchasing needs, and collaboration opportunities to explore new possibilities for Chinese stories, including microdramas, to expand globally.
A new addition to the market this year is the introduction of an official awards category for microdramas. These awards will recognize outstanding short-form productions based on dimensions such as value orientation, narrative creativity, production quality, and distribution reputation. The aim is to commend microdramas that showcase ideological depth, artistic warmth, and contemporary features to elevate the overall production quality in the sector.
The market is experiencing a rebound cycle after a period of inventory consolidation, with AI tools attracting younger creators and raising the storytelling standard. Chen emphasizes the audience’s continuous pursuit of high-quality content and the industry’s rapid evolution in various forms of expression.
Overseas guests accounted for 12% of total market attendees last year, with creative personnel representing the largest professional category. Chen stresses that this year’s core focus goes beyond single-project transactions to encourage long-term partnerships, slate purchasing deals, and joint-development agreements between Chinese and foreign institutions.
The Shanghai International Film & TV Market runs alongside the Shanghai International Film Festival, offering a comprehensive platform for industry professionals to network, showcase their work, and explore new opportunities in the global market.
