Innovation and Talent: The MPA at the Beijing International Film Festival 2026

On April 24, the MPA–Beijing International Film Festival Hollywood Film Masterclass convened senior industry leaders to examine how AI is reshaping the value, lifecycle, and global potential of film and television IP, while reaffirming that creativity, storytelling, and emotional resonance remain core.

Discussions underscored Hollywood’s long‑standing approach of technology empowering creativity, supported by strong copyright protection, industry standards, and full‑chain collaboration, as a foundation for sustainable IP growth.

Opening the event, Mila Venugopalan highlighted Hollywood’s long-standing approach of technology empowering creativity, supported by effective regulation and copyright protection, and underscored the importance of global cooperation and industry standards.

Welcome remarks were also delivered by Jiao Hongfen, Chairman of the China Film Producers Association, and previously Chairman and General Manager of China Film Group, who expressed his commitment to working closely with the MPA to deliver high quality films to Chinese audiences.

The forum was hosted by Professor Zhi Feina of the Chinese Academy of Arts, Professor Zhi’s involvement significantly elevated the forum, reflecting her long‑standing service in key government institutions, including the National Radio and Television Administration and the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, where she has been deeply involved in the formulation, interpretation, and promotion of national film policies.

The forum guests included Dai Yun, member of the Party Committee of Shanghai Film (Group) Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Shanghai Film Co., Ltd.; Lü Cheng, CEO of Original Generation; Ye Ning, Senior Vice President of iQiyi; Yu Zhou, President of Light Chaser Animation; and Zhao Jilong, CEO of Three-Body Universe.

Speakers highlighted both challenges and opportunities facing the industry, including box office pressure, platform fragmentation, audience shifts, and the need for cinema transformation, alongside new models for cross‑industry integration and ecosystem value creation.

The forum reinforced the Asia‑Pacific region as a key growth engine for the global screen industry, with the MPA continuing to serve as a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and shared best practice.

Through its collaboration with the BJIFF Project Pitching programme, the MPA recognised emerging talent, awarding MPA Best Project Pitching Project to The Cleaners on the Road of Life and MPA Best Potential Newcomer to The Dew of Glory. Award recipients will participate in an LA‑based film exchange and learning programme, and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Queensland, Australia.

The program concluded with American Film Night, bringing together Chinese and international studios, filmmakers, policymakers, and partners, reinforcing the MPA’s role in strengthening industry relationships and cross‑border collaboration. Chinese government attendees included Li Xianzeng, General Manager of China Film Group, and a significant relationship for MPA member company studios’s work in China, and Liu Chun, Deputy General Manager of China Film Group. Guests were then invited to a special screening of Universal’s Michael.