Diverse lineup of films hit May Day holiday screens across China

A diverse slate of films has been released during the May Day holiday period, a five-day holiday season that starts on Friday, offering audiences a cultural feast.

The May Day slate spans romance, suspense, comedy and animation, with a significant upgrade in both the quantity and variety of new releases compared to previous years. Major titles attracting strong interest from moviegoers include crime thriller "Cold War 1994," family drama "Dear You," crime thriller "Vanishing Point," comedy "Being towards Death," animation "GG Bond: Race Through Time," and sequel "The Devil Wears Prada 2."

At a cinema in De'an County, east China's Jiangxi Province, the number of viewers inquiring about movies and purchasing tickets has been steadily increasing in the run-up to the holiday.

"There are so many films featuring huge stars to choose from, " said Liu Juan, a resident.

"There are two animated movies, 'GG Bond: Race Through Time' and 'A Story About Fire,' which my kid is very interested in. We plan to see both," said Chen Hongjin, another resident.

To enhance the viewing experience, cinemas have rolled out upgraded services and a series of promotional campaigns, including ticket coupons, special movie snack packages, and cross-sector events to attract more viewers.

The 2026 season of Jiangsu Football City League, or "Suchao," is now underway. The provincial amateur tournament gained widespread popularity after its first edition in 2025.

Blending film-watching with sports, some cinemas offered special discount for for fans attending matches.

"During this year's Suchao, fans can enjoy a 70 percent discount on ticket prices by presenting their ID card from the city where the match is being played. We've also prepared a themed package, allowing moviegoers with football match ticket stubs to enjoy a minimum 50 percent discount on snack sets," said Lu Zhenzhen, a staff member from a cinema in Wuxi.

(We hope) viewers come to the cinema, exchanging their ticket stubs for good stories and good moods," said Zhu Chao, deputy Secretary-General of Wuxi Film Projection Association.

Iran's Organization for Renovation, Development, and Equipment of Schools, reported on Sunday that a total of 1,486 schools and educational units were demolished or damaged in the military actions launched by the United States and Israel against the country.

Hamidreza Khan Mohammadi, head of the organization, said that attacks have struck 153 districts across 22 provinces in Iran, with 11 schools completely destroyed, while 1,489 schools and educational facilities -- including 1,214 schools and 275 educational spaces -- sustained partial or total damage.

To date, 969 of these facilities have been repaired and returned to the educational system, he added.