Chongqing - From July 3 to 7, the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival will be held in Yongchuan, Chongqing. As the curtain rises, Jury President Zhonglun Ren highlighted China's ambition to transform from a major film producer to a global film powerhouse by 2035. The festival's theme, "Technology & Film: Charm of the SCO," underscores the critical role of innovation in cinema.

Ren emphasized that technological advancements, such as AI and augmented reality (AR), are revolutionizing filmmaking. He noted China's shift from relying on foreign special effects teams to domestic innovation, citing The Wandering Earth and Ne Zha 2 as examples. Additionally, he spoke highly of Chongqing's growing film industry and Yongchuan's strategic focus on digital film assets.

Ren urged Chinese filmmakers to create reusable digital properties, like those in Chang'An, to secure long-term competitive advantages. "Technology is the driving force of cinema," he said, reflecting on China's cinematic evolution from imitation to innovation.