Exploring the Future of Chinese Cinema at Shanghai Film Festival.
The Shanghai International Film Festival has hosted its first sci-fi week, featuring nearly a dozen film screenings and panel discussions. Chinese authorities have revised their stance on the sci-fi genre, recognizing its potential to arouse curiosity and promote Chinese values and perspectives. The success of Chinese-made sci-fi film "The Wandering Earth" has provided a platform for Chinese sci-fi stories to be heard globally. The festival's curated films were categorized as A Trip to the Mars, Retro, and Forward, with emphasis placed on storytelling over technology. Canadian director Denis Villeneuve thanked the festival and Chinese audience for supporting the sci-fi genre.