Filmmakers gear up for China's summer film season

The China Film Administration gathered domestic and international filmmakers at a Beijing launch event on June 6 to promote upcoming summer releases, aiming to boost audience interest and inject new vitality into China's film market.

Film authorities and industry executives announce the summer film lineup and new initiatives at a launch event in Beijing, June 6, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

The summer season, the year's longest film release window, draws major attention from industry professionals and audiences nationwide. More than 60 domestic and international films are slated for release during the season.

Domestic films this summer span a range of genres, including historical dramas, suspense thrillers, action films, comedies and animated features, offering a variety of choices for audiences.

Among the most anticipated projects is "Dong Ji Island," which tells the story of fishermen from the Dongji Islands who resisted Japanese invaders during World War II while undertaking a perilous international maritime rescue mission inspired by the Lisbon Maru incident. Another highly awaited title is "The Lychee Road," which follows a minor Tang dynasty official's arduous journey to deliver lychees to the imperial court as a royal fruit envoy.

Chinese filmmakers introduce their summer releases at a launch event in Beijing, June 6, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

The lineup also includes "She's Got No Name," which is based on a high-profile Shanghai murder case. Meanwhile, the romantic drama "Love List" follows the relationships and personal development of three couples. Suspense titles such as "Malice" and "Unspoken" offer psychological thrills with intricate, mind-bending narratives.

Several animated films are set to debut this summer. Titles include Shanghai Animation Film Studio's "Nobody," adapted from a popular web series, and Light Chaser Animation's "Curious Tales of a Temple," inspired by Pu Songling's "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." Franchise sequels such as "The Legend of Hei 2" and "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Bright New Dawn" are also scheduled for release, targeting younger audiences.

Executives from the Chinese branches of major Hollywood studios also unveiled their summer film lineup. High-profile imported titles include upcoming tentpoles such as "Superman," "F1: The Movie," "How to Train Your Dragon," "Jurassic World: Rebirth," "Elio," "The Smurfs" and "Better Man." Current theatrical releases include "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" and "The Karate Kid: Legends."

Hollywood studio representatives present their summer releases at a launch event in Beijing, June 6, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Movie Channel]

The event also introduced initiatives to promote summer moviegoing and film-themed cultural tourism. The China Movie Channel launched a nationwide "Film Week" campaign under the guidance of the China Film Administration, appointing directors Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang, along with actors Wu Jing and Zhang Yi, as ambassadors. Thirty-four filmmakers representing all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, shared stories about their cinemas to kick off the tour.

Marking the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, the campaign seeks to promote film culture and strengthen local economies through tailored strategies in each province. Under the "one province, one week, one plan" approach, filmmakers and communities will connect through film screenings, special events and creative collaborations.

Additional initiatives include field trips for filmmakers across China to conduct creative research. The event also introduced new activities as part of the ongoing "China Film Consumption Year" campaign, rolling out summer-specific public-benefit measures such as discounted tickets and expanded audience benefits.