Nine highly anticipated Chinese blockbusters, including projects from directors Guan Hu, Rao Xiaozhi, Lu Yang and Feng Xiaogang, were previewed at a special event during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) on June 17.

Cast and crew members of nine upcoming Chinese blockbusters pose for a group photo at a promotional event during the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, June 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SIFF Organizing Committee]

Chen Guo, managing director of the Shanghai International Film and TV Events Center, said the blockbuster productions reflected the Chinese film industry's ability to bring together leading talent and resources.

"These films not only showcase the highest standards of Chinese cinema but also exert significant influence across the global film market," Chen said at the 2025 Chinese Epic Showcase event. "The nine featured productions embody the collective expertise and dedication of Chinese filmmakers, carrying the industry's and audiences' highest expectations. Together, they will inject powerful momentum into the film market's growth for the second half of this year."

The nine productions include Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang's "Dong Ji Island," Light Chaser Animation's "Curious Tales of a Temple," Rao Xiaozhi's sequel to "A Cool Fish," Da Peng's "The Lychee Road," Lu Yang's "A Writer's Odyssey 2" and "Echoes of Encounter," Cao Baoping's "Man Huang Jin Di," and Feng Xiaogang's "I Know Who You Are." Several are scheduled for summer theatrical release.

"Dong Ji Island," six years in development and part of the Filmed for Imax program, tells the story of Chinese fishermen from the Dongji Islands who risked their lives during World War II to rescue British prisoners of war after the Japanese transport ship Lisbon Maru was torpedoed and sank. The film features extensive underwater sequences, with more than 100 crew members receiving aquatic training and over 60 days spent on underwater filming, co-director Fei Zhenxiang said. The film is set for release on Aug. 8.

"Curious Tales of a Temple," an animated fantasy anthology from the studio behind "Chang An," is set for release on July 12. Yu Zhou, co-founder and president of Light Chaser Animation, said the studio sought to honor the literary legacy of Pu Songling, a Qing dynasty writer, and that the project was its most demanding to date.

Another anticipated title is "The Lychee Road," due out July 25. Adapted from Ma Boyong's novel, the film follows a Tang Dynasty official tasked with delivering lychees to the royal court. Director Da Peng described it as a comedy about an "ordinary man giving his all against life's unfairness and helplessness."

Director Lu Yang presented two films: "A Writer's Odyssey 2," a fantasy adventure in the Filmed for Imax program, and "Echoes of Encounter," a science fiction romance set in a post-apocalyptic Nanjing and based on Tianrui Shuofu's award-winning novel "Once Upon a Time in Nanjing."

"We explored the Filmed for Imax program to capture our grand-scale scenes and innovative action sequences," Lu said. "The Imax format extends beyond mere larger visuals — it expands imagination itself. It allows us to fully convey the fearless courage we want to present to audiences, along with our passionate devotion to the people and ideals we believe in."

Director Cao Baoping, known for crime dramas such as "Trouble Makers" and "The Dead End," introduced his latest film, "Man Huang Jin Di," at the event. Set in a lawless region where crime is rampant, the film stars Jackson Yee, Duan Yihong, Huang Bo and Zhang Yi. It is scheduled for release later this year.

"I Know Who You Are," the latest film from director Feng Xiaogang, marks his return to period drama after an eight-year break since "Youth." Starring Lei Jiayin and Hu Ge, the film follows a police officer's 40-year search for a spy who turns out to be his neighbor. The story spans several decades and depicts social change through detailed recreations of daily life and architecture.

Other films promoted at the event include the fantasy romance "Gift from a Cloud" by Yao Tingting, which is set for release on Aug. 29, and a dark comedy sequel to Rao Xiaozhi's hit "A Cool Fish," scheduled for release on July 5. The sequel is also part of the Filmed for Imax program.

"Whether in life or work, we all face low moments — even the global film market has struggled these years. This film is our wish for tides to turn," Rao said.