Festival’s Blockbuster Showcase offers first taste of major new movies

An array of highly anticipated film productions was introduced to media and industry insiders on June 17 at the 2025 Chinese Movie Blockbuster Showcase during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival. 

"Dongji Island," a film by Guan Hu, recounts the heroic story about how Chinese fishermen saved more than 300 foreign passengers from a sinking boat in 1942.

With IMAX cameras and innovative technologies, the film boasts compelling visual effects and many underwater scenes to immerse audiences in the story set during World War II. 

Liang Jing, producer of the mega-production, said that all actors made full preparation for their roles. 

"Many of them explored their untapped potential and made big breakthroughs in acting," Liang said. 

"For instance, leading actor Zhu Yilong is now adept at diving and setting sail. Actress Ni Ni took special body building exercises for her character." 

Light Chaser Animation Studios spent four years producing the animated film "Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple," to be released on July 12. 

It is the studio’s latest production following the success of its 2023 animated feature "Chang An."

Based on the ancient Chinese literature classic "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," the fantasy animation features six stories about several styles of Oriental aesthetics. 

Director Rao Xiaozhi's comedy crime film "Made in Yiwu," starring Zhang Yu and Ren Suxi, will hit cinemas across China on July 5.

Set in Thailand, the black-humored film centers on the unexpected involvement of innocent bystanders in a criminal gang's kidnapping. 

Yao Tingting's fantasy romance film "Gift from a Cloud" is slated for release on August 29. 

Director Yao noted the film is not only about love, but also it tackles life, destiny and people's difficult choices when parting. 

Other eye-catching homegrown movies highlighted at the event include "The Litchi Road," "Assassin in Red 2," and "I Know Who You Are."

Industry insiders believed that the emergence of such high-quality films would bring new vitality to the Chinese cinema.