Sci-fi Film Week | “Future Engine: Night of Movie Heroes” Comes to a Close

On the evening of June 17, the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival’s Sci-fi Film Week, in collaboration with ELLEMEN magazine, hosted the “Future Engine: Night of Movie Heroes”. This event aimed to encourage and honor the contributions of filmmakers, both on and off screen, to the development of science fiction cinema. It highlighted the exploratory spirit of Chinese filmmakers in sci-fi and their dreams of advancing the film and television technology industry.

Director, producer, and screenwriter Huang Jianxin; Secretary-General of the China Film Directors’ Guild and Chairman of the Sci-fi Film Committee, China Film Association Wang Hongwei; Vice Chairman of the China Film Association and Vice Chairman of the Sci-fi Film Committee, China Film Association, as well as President of China Film Art Direction Academy, Huo Tingxiao; Science fiction writer and honorary director of the China Science Writers Association, Wang Jinkang; young director and screenwriter Zhang Mo, served as the annual recommenders for “Future Engine: Night of Movie Heroes”, critically evaluating the diligent work of sci-fi filmmakers with a professional attitude, paying tribute to the dedication of filmmakers behind the scenes, and sending a message about the future direction of sci-fi films.

The films recommended at “Future Engine: Night of Movie Heroes” of this year include: annual sci-fi author for He Xi, who wrote “encyclopedic Chinese sci-fi” that spans across time and space; annual sci-fi IPs for TO THE NORTH by Ren Qing and STILL WATER by Zhang Ran, which showcase unique Northeastern harsh atmospheres and vivid future virtual memories respectively; annual highly anticipated sci-fi film for THE DECISIVE MOMENT; annual new force for Tian Li, who explore new forms of Chinese sci-fi through unique cinematic images; annual art design for art director Lu Wei, who restored magnificent war scenes with exquisite craftsmanship in THE VOLUNTEERS: TO THE WAR; annual film visual effects for the visual effects team of CREATION OF THE GODS: KINGDOM OF STORMS who constructed a visual feast of mythical worlds with exquisite visual effects; international sci-fi pioneer for Japanese mecha designer Shôji Kawamori, who recreates visual memories of multiple classic sci-fi works with genius imagination; ELLEMEN annual film hero for director Wuershan who create box office miracles in Chinese fantasy films with a deep perception of traditional culture and an international perspective.

Wuershan commented: “Whether it’s sci-fi or fantasy films, industrial production, especially in special effects, faces significant challenges. CREATION OF THE GODS: KINGDOM OF STORMS is a film with particularly challenging special effects, and it wasn’t easy to achieve, but we managed to meet expectations in the end. I hope colleagues in the industry and audiences can pay more attention to special effects work, to help the development of Chinese film special effects and the film industry.”

“Future Engine: Night of Movie Heroes” has attracted numerous celebrity guests including Bai Yu, Chen Shaoxi, Guo Junchen, Huang Jue, Huang Xuan, Hu Yitian, Jiang Shuying, Li Gengyun, Liu Jiangjiang, Rong Zishan, Song Yuan, Su Youpeng, Tong Chenjie, Janice Man, Wu Hankun, Wang Qianyue, Wu Xingjian, Tony Xu, Zu Feng, Zhang Tianai, among others attending the event. The vibrant performances by musical theater actor Ayunga and singer-dancer Santa added energy to the scene.

Thus concludes this year’s Sci-fi Film Week events in Songjiang District, which were spectacularly supported by InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland.