SIFF XR | A Three-Day Exclusive, Immersive Experience

On June 16, SIFF XR - jointly presented by the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) and the Putuo District Administration of Culture and Tourism - came to a successful close. Over three days, 16 outstanding virtual reality (VR) works from China and abroad were showcased in nearly 250 screenings, with 2,000 tickets quickly snapped up by enthusiastic audiences. Visitors experienced the latest in cutting-edge virtual reality and interactive technology, leaving the event inspired by futuristic visions of life. Meanwhile, the surrounding area buzzed with activities - sightseeing boats along the Suzhou River (between Changfeng Park and Changhua Road) departed at full capacity, while cultural venues like the Suzhou River Industry Civilization Exhibition Hall and the Suning Art Museum welcomed a steady stream of visitors. In these three days, SIFF XR brought a “dream-like synergy” between cinema and the broader ecosystem of culture, tourism, business, sports, and exhibitions in Putuo District, blending real and virtual images and evoking powerful audiovisual resonance. It created a new model of cross-sector integration, offering a “prototype cinema of the future”.

7 Summer Blockbusters Unveiled: A Promising Future for VR Film ✦✦

At the Opening Ceremony of SIFF XR on June 14, seven blockbuster VR films set for release in the 2025 summer season took the stage to “show their strength”. Highlights included: Be[d1] fore the Gods: Fu Hao’s Legend, an epic historical VR film produced in Shanghai; a large-scale VR adaptation of the Shanghai-produced animation Chang An; Kong Kim of Longmen, from the original creators of Palace Banquet in Tang Dynasty, the first-ever Chinese VR film with Dragon Seal ID “Xu No. 001”; The Empire Code: Secret of the First Emperor’s Mausoleum, the first XR project officially licensed by Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Park for the first time; A Tapestry of a Legendary Land, an immersive experience based on the acclaimed dance drama; Journey to the Center of the Earth, adapted from Jules Verne’s classic sci-fi novel; and Devourer, inspired by a short story by Liu Cixin.

Pioneers of China’s virtual reality film industry gathered in Putuo District, Shanghai, showcasing the burgeoning potential of VR cinema. Positioned at the intersection of multiple industries, VR filmmaking is poised to tap into a trillion-yuan blue ocean market.

Three Themes, Infinite Futures: Audiences “Rave About” the Featured Films ✦✦

This year’s SIFF XR was organized around three immersive themes: “Travel within the Painting”, “Travel through the Screen”, and “Travel into the Scene”. A total of 16 exceptional VR works from 13 countries - including China, the UK, France, Canada, Japan, Romania, and Brazil - were featured. Among them, Mnemosyne by Chinese director Wu Er and Wu Song Fights the Tiger (AR Shadow Play) produced by Zoom Games, had just recently completed production, demonstrating the creators’ commitment and enthusiasm by debuting their latest work at the festival.

Thanks to their diverse subject matter, boundless imagination, cutting-edge audiovisual effects, and thought-provoking content, the SIFF XR lineup earned rave reviews from local audiences. Many took to social media to share their excitement and recommendations. One viewer enthusiastically praised Mnemosyne, inspired by the classical Kun opera The Peony Pavilion: “The 360° ink-wash animation combined with 180° live-action storytelling was stunning. The realistic landscapes with an ink painting aesthetic were beautifully shot. At the end, the performers return to the stage and begin to dance - at this point, you’re prompted to remove the VR headset. It’s like stepping from illusion into reality. The stylization and atmosphere were perfectly executed.” Another viewer highlighted the highly interactive Romanian-French film The Shadow in My Eye, writing: “You get to pluck strings, assemble sheet music, and even play the violin yourself. The visual style - delicate vine-like lines - is unique, and even your hands in the headset appear as tendrils. Coupled with the WWII backdrop, it felt incredibly immersive.”

SIFF XR Hotspot: A “Prototype Cinema” Boosting Cultural, Tourism, Business, Sports & Exhibition Integration ✦✦

During the SIFF XR showcase, large crowds of citizens flocked to the main event venue - the Huayi Brothers Cinema in the Shanghai Changfeng Joy City commercial district. Some visitors redeemed SIFF XR screening experiences with their Joy City shopping receipts, while others accessed cutting-edge VR tech with their Shanghai International Film Festival tickets. Many more continued their day by going on a “citywalk” after their immersive film experience - taking boat rides along the scenic Suzhou River (Changfeng Park to Changhua Road), and visiting cultural attractions like the Suzhou River Industry Civilization Exhibition Hall and the Suning Art Museum, all highlights of Putuo District’s cultural tourism. One enthusiastic moviegoer even posted a detailed guide on social media: “Start at the info desk to exchange your reservation card. Pick two films from the booths and queue up for your turn - don’t forget to get your stamp after each one! Once you’ve collected two stamps, return to the desk to redeem your Suzhou River boat tour ticket. In this weather, the boat ride is super pleasant. Doesn’t really matter if you get a hard- or soft-topped boat - just grab whatever’s available!”

After two years of experimentation and practice, the SIFF XR section has carved out a new path for the development of virtual reality cinema, while creating for this sector a “prototype cinema” model that promotes the integration of culture, tourism, business, sports, and exhibitions. Looking ahead, SIFF XR will continue to foster an open ecosystem, build a high-level, cross-regional collaborative innovation platform, and drive the emergence of new industrial models and fresh consumer experiences through VR and immersive storytelling.