TV & film

tv-&-film

China Moves to Protect Child Actors in Viral Short Dramas

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Children have become central to the ultrashort drama industry, with public concerns rising about long hours and the dissonance between dramatic themes and children’s lived experiences.

Chen Yiru

How ‘Zootopia 2’ Rode China’s Animation Boom to Success

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Amid turbulent times, Chinese cinemagoers veer toward the comforting qualities of animated films.

Gan Lin

A Rural Mother’s Unfiltered Rage Gives Chinese Comedy Its Edge

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

By crafting punchlines from pain, breakout comedy star Fang Shaoli has tapped into the silent angst of many middle-aged Chinese women.

The  Beijing News

In 2025, China’s Film Industry Chased a Fragmenting Audience

Chinese cinemagoers are increasingly discerning. They prefer high-quality movies over holiday blockbusters, and pick films that appeal to their demographic.

Gui Lin

Act Your Age? Chinese Dramas Thrust Preschoolers Into Adult Roles

With children central to many ultrashort dramas, young actors are enduring grueling schedules to shoot scripts far beyond their understanding.

The Paper

China Loves Zootopia’s Blue Snake. Now Fans Are Buying Real Ones.

Amid the sequel’s box office success, fans are flocking to e-commerce platforms to buy live vipers that resemble a new character.

Fan Yiying

Audrey Hepburn’s Son Wins Lawsuit Against Chinese Restaurant

A Chinese court has ruled that a Suzhou-based Audrey Hepburn-themed chain violated personality rights by using the late actress’s image and name on signage, in restaurants, and on promotional materials without the consent of the actress’s family.

Fast, Cheap, Stolen: The Plagiarism Behind China’s Short Drama Boom

As studios rush to feed China’s short-drama craze, web novel writers say their work is being taken, rewritten, and sold without consent or credit.

Li Xin

‘You Are the Best’ Is Jiang Wen Writ Large

Auteur director Jiang Wen has previously been hailed for his distinct style and absurdism. But his latest movie, “You Are the Best,” failed to resonate with audiences, drawing criticism instead for being one of his most egoistic works to date.

Yang Liu

Script Change: The Writers Trading Movie Dreams for Bite-Size Dramas

As China’s ultrashort TV series find fans in the U.S., bilingual screenwriters are in high demand in Hollywood — it’s just not the dream job they’d imagined.

Original (Jiefang Daily)

Chinese Opera’s Enduring Influence on Cinema

China’s movie industry began 120 years ago with a recording of a Peking opera performance. Opera’s influence never left.

Gong Yan

To Boost Content, China Eases TV Drama Oversight, Episode Limit

Amid competition from ultrashort dramas and streaming platforms, China’s broadcasting regulator will also ease restrictions on historical dramas and allow series to air without a one-year gap between new seasons.

‘Show 30% Anger’: Actor Loses the Plot Over AI Direction

As AI takes over China’s film and TV business, performers are struggling to work within its strict creative parameters — or even make sense of its scripts.

Oscar Wu

Fantastical, False, and Absurd: Ultrashort War Dramas Come Under Fire

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, regulators crack down on war drama plotlines that test viewers’ suspension of disbelief.

He Qitong

For ‘Duobaowen’ Web Novels, the Absurdity Is the Point

Sometimes scorned as “sow literature,” the duobaowen trope in web novels paints a profound picture of new readerships, class divides, and the power of the consumer.

Sub Space: Inside the Invisible World of China’s Live Subtitle Operators

At top film festivals across the country, foreign films often arrive without subtitles. A small team of volunteers, mostly students, makes sure every line lands — manually, and in real time.

Sleepless in Shanghai: Movie Marathons Offer a Night to Remember

Costumes, coffee, and comfy slippers — fans flock to all-night screenings of American and Japanese films at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Jiang Xinyi

2025 Shanghai Int’l Film Fest Sees Record Premieres and Bigger Crowds

The festival, now in its 27th year, features 400 movies as well as numerous promotions geared toward attracting out-of-town crowds and boosting tourism spending.

Sixth Tone

Remembering a Titan of Early Chinese Cinema

Yuan Muzhi was one of the country’s top leftist filmmakers in the 1930s. Now the Shanghai International Film Festival is running a retrospective of his work.

Wang  Peilei

The Punk Rock Legend Who Became C-Dramas’ Unlikeliest Fan

How an unexpected endorsement by Patti Smith forced her Chinese fans to reconsider their distaste for the country’s soapiest TV.