2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival key events to kick off Oct. 31

The 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival will take place from Sept. 27 to Nov. 16 at the Hengdian World Studios in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, the festivals organizing committee announced.

The jury lineup for the 11th Wenrong Awards Ceremony. [Photo courtesy of the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival Organizing Committee]

Key events, including the 11th Wenrong Awards Ceremony, the China (Hengdian) International Film Fair, the annual meeting of the China Film Art Direction Academy, and the 28th China Film Promotion Conference, as well as the Micro Drama Night, are scheduled from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.

For the Wenrong Awards, this year's jury features a distinguished lineup of senior professionals from the film and television industry. Acclaimed filmmaker Jia Zhangke, one of the representative figures of contemporary Chinese cinema, will serve as jury president. Other jurors include industry experts such as Huo Tingxiao, Lin Yongjian, Wang Hongwei, Mu Deyuan, Yang Lei, and Ma Su. The awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 1.

Recognized as one of the most comprehensive industry awards covering film and television productions, the Wenrong Awards honor outstanding works and talent annually. It aims to recognize the achievements and give a boost to young creators in the field.

The 28th China Film Promotion Conference will bring together 49 cinema chains, including China Film Group, Huaxia Film Distribution, and Wanda Film, along with more than 70 film investment companies and industry representatives.

The event will focus on improving communication across the production, distribution and exhibition sectors, while promoting high-quality films through screenings, negotiations, and supply chain exhibitions. All of this culminates into an environment that fosters industry collaboration.

Hengdian has also emerged as a micro drama powerhouse, hosting over 2,300 micro drama crews from January to July this year. The specially designed Micro Drama Night on Nov. 2 will gather 108 micro drama actors and release annual actor rankings, showcasing the sector's diverse vitality and strong momentum.

A costumed parade is held at the Hengdian World Studios in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, Sept. 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the 2025 Hengdian Film & TV Festival Organizing Committee]

Known as China's Hollywood, Hengdian, has become a benchmark for the Chinese film industry. Following the first National Film Fair in 2023 and the first international fair in 2024, the 2025 edition will further strengthen ties among domestic and overseas producers, distributors, and investors. This sets it on the trajectory to further align original storytelling with China’s rich cultural heritage and the industry’s rapid development.

Organizers stated that after several years of development, the Hengdian Film & TV Festival has at last become a comprehensive platform, integrating industry exchange, achievement showcases, and talent cultivation.

This year's festival will continue to uphold the principle of connecting globally. The focus will also remain on promoting high-quality development of China's film and television industry. This momentum will see it advance Chinese film and television into the global domain.

Beyond these key efforts, the festival has been running since Sept. 27 with numerous cultural activities, including star-scouting programs, open days for the film sets and studios, the Hengdian marathon, and many other activities designed to immerse visitors in Hengdian World Studios cinematic culture.

The flagship virtual production facility of iQiyi is at the Stage 13 studio of the Hengdian World Studios' film & TV Industrial Park. [Photo courtesy of iQiyi]

Notably, during this year's festival, iQiyi will host its first open house at its flagship virtual production facility—in Stage 13 studio of the Hengdian World Studios' film & TV Industrial Park—on Nov. 2. iQiyi executives and collaborators will share the latest applications and trends in virtual production technology, featuring live demonstrations of the upgraded iQStage system. The event will showcase the complete workflow from camera tracking to real-time rendering, giving guests an immersive, "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" experience of virtual filmmaking and a firsthand look at the innovation powering Hengdian World Studios.