The 29th Shanghai TV Festival opens at Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China, June 24, 2024. /CFP

The 29th Shanghai TV Festival kicked off on Monday at Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event runs from June 24 to 28 this year, with various programs rolling out for industry professionals and TV series fans.

Established in 1986, the festival has been committed to showcasing high-quality works from the television industry, as well as facilitating international exchanges, trade and cooperation in the world's television market.

Attendees at the opening ceremony of the 29th Shanghai TV Festival, June 24, 2024. /CFP

This year, the Magnolia Awards, named after the floral emblem of the metropolis, received nearly 1,000 entries from 57 countries and regions across five continents.

The category of foreign TV drama saw nearly 170 entries, an increase of 53.7 percent from last year. Among the nearly 340 entries in the documentary category, 60 percent are international productions. As the highlight of the festival, the award winners will be announced on June 28 at the Lingang Performing Arts Center.

Recognized as one of the most important international television exchange platforms in Asia, the festival also involves a series of forums and masterclasses aimed at provoking in-depth discussions on the new trends in the development of TV dramas, documentaries, and animations.

Topics, such as technological innovation and international cooperation, are also on the agenda of these themed forums and industry salons.