The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival's Sci-Fi Film Week launched the "Tech-Powered Creation" section for the first time, highlighting how AI technology, digital imaging, and virtual production are accelerating their integration into the film industry.
At the opening ceremony of the "Tech-Powered Creation" section on Wednesday, film industry practitioners, experts and scholars, and heads of technology enterprises discussed the application and practice of AI video generation technology and digital production technology in film and television creation from multiple dimensions such as content expression, production transformation, and international cooperation. "There are several really top companies in China creating very, very high-quality AI videos. The advances are just so rapid. Even overnight, something new will happen. It's going to be important for all directors to really embrace AI as a tool to make their videos faster and very high quality." said John Patrick Hughes, a Hollywood visual effects veteran and Oscar winner.
"By fully mastering sufficient technology, it is possible to produce a film at a very low cost. This is the biggest change brought about by technological development in the industry. What we need to enhance now is the training of talent from multiple perspectives. They must master technology, understand art, possess ample imagination, master cutting-edge techniques, and have the ability to fully communicate with the audience," said Zhi Feina, a professor of the Chinese National Academy of Arts.
This year's film festival also introduced an AIGC category for the first time, inviting young creators from around the world to submit AI-generated short films to promote the innovative application of AI technology in film and television creation.
"There are many young people who are not constrained by traditional film creation or the ontology of film. They have very good and unlimited possibilities for innovation. We should help them and provide them with more resources, which will further inspire their passion for movies and enable them to achieve their dreams," said Yu Xiaofeng, dean of the School of Management at Beijing Film Academy and also a final selection jury member of SIFF ING, a project under the film festival dedicated to help aspiring young creators.
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival officially opened on June 14 in Shanghai, with 49 works shortlisted for this year's Golden Goblet Awards, featuring over 400 domestic and international films screened across Shanghai.
Founded in 1993, the SIFF is a prestigious global event, driven by Shanghai's ambition to become an international cultural hub. The festival has garnered growing international attention thanks to China's flourishing film market.
Shanghai Int'l Film Festival launches "Tech-Powered Creation" section
