24th Shanghai TV festival kicks off with directors’ summit
By Xu Mengqi, Shen Li
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The 24th Shanghai TV festival kicked off on Monday with a forum that focused on the opinion-leading power of mainstream media. Directors from both national and provincial Chinese TV stations gave keynote speeches, in which they expressed dedication to promoting socialist values.
Peng Jianming, the deputy chief editor of state broadcaster CCTV, or China Central Television, said China is the world’s biggest producer and broadcaster of TV dramas, and among all CCTV programs, TV drama boasts the most airtime and viewers. Peng thereby stressed the importance of developing TV series that will serve to consolidate the socialist ideology in a time of diversified values.  
The 24th Shanghai TV festival kicked off on Monday, June 11, 2018. /CGTN Photo

The 24th Shanghai TV festival kicked off on Monday, June 11, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Lyu Huanbin, director of the Hunan Broadcasting System, which has a reputation for producing massively popular TV programs emphasized the role of digital media in leading public opinion. The broadcasting system now operates an online platform named Mango TV that has 50 million daily active users and is expanding its presence abroad, as it launched an international version of the app last month. 
“Documentaries have now become the fourth biggest genre in our group after general news, variety shows, and TV dramas. We want to focus on people's real lives and their stories,” said Gao Yunfei, director of the Shanghai Media Group, adding that the group will continue to invest in documentaries and reality TV in 2018. 
Gao Yunfei, director of the Shanghai Media Group, giving a keynote speech. /CGTN Photo

Gao Yunfei, director of the Shanghai Media Group, giving a keynote speech. /CGTN Photo

The 24th Shanghai TV Festival is part of the 2018 Shanghai International Film and TV Festival and will continue until June 15, when the winners of this year’s Magnolia Awards will be announced. 
Over 800 TV dramas, documentaries, animations, and variety shows have been submitted from more than 50 countries and regions.
Of all the submissions, 55 of them were nominated in the different categories of this year’s Magnolia Award.