SIFF XR | Explore the Future in Immersive 10 Days

This year’s SIFF XR of Shanghai International Film Festival, adhering to the concept of “The City Built by the People, and for the People”, is open to the public free of charge, featuring a span of 10 days, 31 sessions, and 6200 tickets. Tickets were sold out within an hour after reservation is available, with an additional 600 tickets released later also quickly booked up, demonstrating the enthusiasm of film fans. In addition to showcasing 26 immersive works from home and abroad, the venue surroundings are enhanced with the “Magical Putuo” citywalk route. Starting from the venue, augmented reality virtual scenes are set up at locations like Changfeng Joy City, Changfeng Ocean World, and Banma Suhe Park, featuring different types of plants to allow citizens to experience cutting-edge digital life.

In ten days, SIFF XR attracted numerous audiences and professionals to experience the integration of film and television art with innovative technology.

Embark on a Journey for Imagination in Four Major Sections

This edition of SIFF XR covers four main themes: “Oriental Charm”, “The Secrets of Art”, “Me and Myself”, and “Supernatural Realm”, including five global premieres, five Asia premieres, and six China premieres. Among them, the most popular projects under the “Oriental Charm” theme such as THE GREAT QIN and DUNHUANG were fully booked within the first moments after the reservation channel is launched.

Netizens commented, “Dressed in Hanfu interacting with fairies in the Oriental Charm section; transforming into adventurers in the Secrets of Art exhibition area, and embarking on mysterious cosmic adventures in the Supernatural Realm section.” Fans also explored the underground palace of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and experienced being a race car driver or conductor, exclaiming, “Here, I feel unstoppable!” Many viewers lamented that time was too short and hoped for another chance to experience it.

Rong Zishan, the Experience Officer of this year’s SIFF XR, visited the site on June 16 to explore the pioneering art of fantasy light and shadow.

 Multidimensional Activities Paving the Way toward the Future

During the event, SIFF XR hosted a variety of activities covering audiences, business, and media circles, inviting more people to experience and contemplate the future of imagery.

On June 13, SIFF XR opened for trial operation, with domestic and international media attending the exhibition in advance. The “Technology + Culture, Commerce and Tourism” negotiation meeting on June 14 brought together copyright holders, directors, studio heads of large-scale works from home and abroad, as well as business districts, curators, and cultural tourism-related companies to discuss face-to-face, promoting the creative realization of high-quality content and advancing the integration exploration of “culture, commerce and tourism.” On June 16, several leaders and experts attended the launch ceremony of SIFF XR, affirming Shanghai’s determination and confidence to pioneer a new paradigm of channeling traffic nationwide through synergy of culture, commerce, and tourism.

On June 17 and 19, industry seminars titled “Imagery Exploration in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” and “Technology Empowered Offline Immersive Film and Television Entertainment” were held, discussing the future of film and television technology empowered by AI from academic, commerce, and practitioners’ perspectives.

This year’s SIFF XR attracted 20 guests from China, France, Brazil, Ireland, Canada, and other countries and regions to participate in exchange activities.

The ten-day feast of light and shadow is about to come to a close, but exploration into the world of future imagery will not stop here. SIFF XR will continue to bring more novel viewing experiences and cultural insights to the people.