Chinese film director Gao Qunshu Photo: Courtesy of Yan Yan

China's top science fiction movie directors, screen writers and critics gathered for the seminar "Has China's Science Fiction Era Come?" at the Qingdao Film and TV Expo on Saturday in East China's Shandong Province. 

The seminar aims at providing a platform for experts to exchange and share experience, drive the creation of science fiction content, boost the development of science fiction movies and improve the industry chain of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis.

Guest speakers including director Gao Qunshu, script writer Gong Ge'er and film critic Xi Xia focused on two aspects of the industry: science fiction film creation and adaptation, and visual effects.

When commenting on the enthusiasm brought by the success of Chinese sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Earth, Gao warned that the market needs to remain level headed. 

Although Chinese sci-fi movies are on the rise and the future is anticipated, the film industry should not rush to promote their development. 

"Sci-fi movies are the heavy industry in the movie circle, which needs great funding for support. I think the Chinese film studio bosses are not ready yet. And they need to explore and seek inspiration from successful cases," he noted. 

Yao Haijun, deputy editor-in-chief of magazine Science Fiction World, took a positive tone, saying that "After so many years of development in the sci-fi literature, there are a number of stories that can be developed into quality film works. This requires our eyes to discover and explore."

Sun Hengqin, president of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis, concluded that "Science fiction allows our imaginations to rise to the sky, and it also promotes the continuous advancement of film technology. Science fiction movies are not only a depiction of the future, but also the combination of 'technological beauty' and 'artistic beauty.'"