2026 Chongqing Intl Animation Film Week to kick off on June 9

The 2026 Chongqing International Animation Film Week will take place from June 9 to 13 in Yongchuan district, southwest China's Chongqing, with an aim to build an international platform for animation exchange and promote high-quality development of the animation film industry.

A post for the 2026 Chongqing International Animation Film Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

The event will feature a series of activities, including an opening ceremony, the "Jinshancha" honor selection, academic seminars and masterclasses, an animation creativity & technology exhibition, and industry matchmaking and signing events and a "One Movie Ticket for One City" consumer campaign. These events cover three key areas: professional guidance, industry empowerment, and public engagement.

The opening ceremony will blend a world animation film concert with a Chinese animation carnival. Innovative elements such as a water stage, AI imagery, and embodied intelligence will be used to create an "animation fantasy realm," showcasing the trend of "animation film + technological innovation."

The highlight of the film week is the "Jinshancha" honor selection, which consists of four categories and a total of 10 awards. The competition has received 501 animated entries from countries including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Spain, Australia, and Brazil. Currently, 45 works have been shortlisted. The jury is chaired by Rob Minkoff, director of The Lion King. The final selection will take place in Yongchuan from June 6 to 9, and the results will be announced at the closing ceremony on the evening of June 12.

During the film week, several public-oriented activities under the "Light & Shadow Carnival" will be offered: the "One Movie Ticket for One City" consumer campaign provides discounts at scenic spots, hotels, and shopping districts; the animation-themed fair features voice-actor interactions and Chinese animation exhibitions; the "Chasing Light & Dreams" screenings will present nearly 40 classic animated films from China and abroad at multiple cinemas, along with free open-air screenings; and a lawn concert on the evening of June 10 will perform classic animation songs.

Chongqing boasts a rich cultural heritage in film and has served as a filming location for more than 500 movies and TV productions. In recent years, the city has accelerated the development of a systematic film and television ecosystem, building the Western Sci Tech Film and Television City as a hub for virtual production and post-production. This has enabled a transition from "filming in Chongqing" to "produced in Chongqing."

The host district, Yongchuan, is home to China's leading virtual soundstages and the country's first full-chain AI-powered smart shooting environment, which has provided technical support for over 140 films and series, including Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea.

Organizers stated that holding this international animation film week represents a major strategic step for Chongqing to deepen its presence in the animation film sector and seize a leading position in the digital creative industry.