What to expect at China's Int'l Film & TV Exhibition

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The 15th China International Film and TV Program Exhibition opened in Beijing on Thursday, with over 300 participants and 80,000 programs from more than 50 countries and regions.

With the theme “New Era, New Accomplishments, New Chapter,” this year’s expo sees a variety of genres covering TV dramas, films, animations and variety shows on display.

The event was hosted by the China Media Group, which was officially inaugurated on April 19 this year after China Central Television (CCTV), China Global Television Network (CGTN), China National Radio (CNR) and China Radio International (CRI) were brought together.

Shen Haixiong, president of the China Media Group, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. /CGTN Photo

Shen Haixiong, president of the China Media Group, opened the TV & Film Expo by delivering a brief speech at the Beijing Exhibition Center on Thursday morning.

Exhibitors present new trends

Besides TV news stations, many film and television production companies, as well as major streaming websites such as iQiyi and Tencent are also on hand.

Guests attending the opening ceremony of the15th China International Film and TV Program Exhibition in Beijing. /CGTN Photo

The expo will host events including a forum on the power of big data in evaluating programs, as well as the internalization of Chinese films and television.

"This year we have set up special display sections for virtual reality, film production, translation, foreign embassies and an area for the Belt and Road Media Community, as well as the Film and Television Import and Export Association,” said Shen Jianing, general manager of the China Radio, Film and Television Programs Exchanging Center.

“Our goal is to really make this an international platform to better serve media companies from around the world."

Technology highlighted at the expo

For the first time, new media VR and interactive experiences are part of the expo.

Visitors wearing VR equipment shake their bodies with playing movies. /CGTN Photo

For instance, visitors can experience for themselves how green screens are used. Meanwhile, through online live broadcasts as well as online exhibition projects, people are given access to the trends without physically having to be there.

In addition to showcasing their advanced tech products, exhibitors also see the event as a way to network with people in the industry and grasp new opportunities.

"We’ve been coming to the event for the past 15 years. It's a place for us to market our products and we do get to meet a lot of platform owners and production companies,” said Doreen Neo, chief content officer at Mediacorp.

"It's also a good opportunity for them to connect with us because we're also here with our acquisition team who actually meet with people who want to sell their products to Singapore."

Chinese programs eye overseas market

CGTN reporters conduct an interview at the exhibition. /CGTN Photo‍

Based on the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese film and television industry is also eyeing the international market. Therefore, cooperation and exportation are also highlighted.

The expo also echoes the country’s strategy of promoting the Chinese culture’s “going global.”

The Belt and Road Media Community, launched by the China International Television Corporation, will also stage a series of events and projects.

The booth of the embassy of the Republic of Armenia in China. /CGTN Photo

The 2018 International Film and TV Program Exhibition will run from Thursday to Saturday and is expected to host at least 8,000 visitors.

Moreover, this year's exhibit is also the first event where China's major state-owned radio and TV broadcasters face the public together, as a collective team under the China Media Group since the announcement of the merger was made in March.

(CGTN's Ren Xueqian contributed to the story.)

Live: The 15th China International Film & TV Program Exhibition