The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival in Chongqing became a stage for groundbreaking discussions as actor Hu Xianxu shared insights on technology's transformative impact on cinema. The event, held from July 3-7 in southwestern China, brought together filmmakers and innovators from across Asia to explore the intersection of art and emerging technologies.
A New Era for Storytelling
Hu emphasized how virtual production techniques and AI-driven tools are revolutionizing filmmaking: "We're witnessing a paradigm shift where technology amplifies creativity rather than replacing it. Real-time rendering allows directors to visualize complex scenes instantly, while machine learning helps analyze audience preferences without compromising artistic vision."
Bridging Cultures Through Innovation
The SCO Film Festival showcased 120 productions from member states, demonstrating how shared technological platforms enable collaborative projects across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Hu noted: "When filmmakers from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka use compatible digital workflows, it creates new opportunities for pan-Asian storytelling."
Chongqing's Rising Tech Profile
The host city's growing status as a technological hub provided context for discussions about China's film industry evolution. Local startups demonstrated AI-powered dubbing systems capable of preserving actors' lip movements across multiple SCO languages.
As the festival concluded, industry analysts highlighted its role in shaping regional creative economies. With streaming platforms investing $2.1 billion in Asian content production for 2026, Hu's observations underscore the strategic importance of technological adaptation in maintaining cultural relevance.
