China's film market this year has continued to thrive, marked by an impressive lineup of blockbusters and rapidly rising box office revenues.
Behind this momentum lies a synergy among content innovation, technological breakthroughs and supportive policies.
This year's National Day holiday releases showcased a wide range of genres, such as historical epics, fantasy adventures, family comedies and animated features, catering to audiences of all ages and preferences.
"Overall, the films have diverse themes and genres that cover all age groups. Besides, we have observed changes in policy that have fostered collaboration among various enterprises. Meanwhile, local governments and platforms have implemented considerable ticket subsidies. All these serve as important drivers for film consumption," said Gao Chao, head of media industry team at Changjiang Securities.
As the diversity of film genres and themes has placed higher demands on production technology, cutting-edge technologies are continuously expanding the boundaries of filmmaking.
"A Writer's Odyssey 2," a signature film featuring technological innovation released on the National Day holiday season, was filmed entirely with IMAX-certified digital cameras. In IMAX theaters, the film will present 26 percent more screen images compared with standard movie theaters.
Another innovative release, "Sound of Silence", uses AI-powered sound design to bring audiences into the world of the hearing-impaired. Roughly 30 percent of the film's dialogue is in sign language, paired with low-frequency audio effects that allow viewers to "hear" silence -- an approach that has been widely lauded for its emotional and technological depth.
"The integration of AI and the entire film industry, whether through end-to-end empowerment, time and cost saving, or image optimization and post-production promotion, is demonstrating increasingly significant improvements in quality and efficiency with the advancement of large-scale models at home and abroad," said Gao.
Innovation, technology empower China's all-age film market
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
