"It is a language that transcends borders, universally embraced and accessible to people worldwide, allowing more overseas audiences to get to know and understand us. Therefore, science fiction is a great medium. Thus, science fiction medium," said Guo Fan, director of China's homegrown sci-fi blockbusters "The Wandering Earth" and "The Wandering Earth II."

The Sci-Film Week Keynote Forum at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) and the Shanghai High-tech Films and Television City Press Conference were held in Songjiang on June 11. Guests gave keynote speeches on the themes of "Science Fiction, Holistic Perspective of Mankind and Chinese Stories," "Exploration into the Unknown and Science Fiction Sentiments," and shared ideas on the theme of "Sci-fi Films and Surreal Fantasies" at a roundtable discussion on "International Vision and Time Context of Sci-fi Films" during the forum.

Over the years, Guo has been exploring and looking for a new direction for domestic science fiction films. During the forum, he said that he believed that the greatest charm of science fiction lies in the "future" and "no boundaries" and that science fiction always represents the future, which plants the seeds of love for science and courage to imagine in children's hearts and influences generations.

Pete Bebb is a special effects artist best known for working on The Dark Knight trilogy. He mentioned that even though film creation can now rely on many advanced technologies, it is essential to maintain sight of the essence of creation.

Bebb offers sound advice to young science fiction filmmakers. On the one hand, we should embrace existing technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. They enable us to achieve desired results more swiftly while maintaining a quality level comparable to major productions. On the other hand, we still rely on ourselves to create films, as the essence of filmmaking lies beyond technology.

New technologies alone cannot create films; Ultimately, it is the human touch that remains essential in the creation of stories, he added.

With science and technology-themed narratives gaining global popularity, a wave of script projects infused with science-fiction elements has emerged in the domestic venture capital market. How to find a creative path for Chinese science fiction films became a focal point of attention and discussion among the attendees.

Chinese Director Lu Chuan believes that the nature of science fiction films is solemn, because it must face the anxiety and fear of human beings about their own development and the future. "In a sense, the mission and contemplation of science fiction films lie in earnestly and sincerely exploring the development of humanity," Lu said.