Hengdian World Studios extends an invitation to film and television industry professionals to its 50th-anniversary TIFF industry event. The soirée will highlight its comprehensive production resources, short-form content production, and eco-friendly, solar-powered facilities.
TORONTO, Sept. 01, 2025 — Hengdian World Studios, recognized as the world’s largest filming location and a key partner for international co-productions, will host an industry gathering in Toronto on September 9 during the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Producers, distributors, partners, and members of the press are invited to meet with the leadership of Hengdian World Studios and discover its all-encompassing filmmaking infrastructure, a complete solution for film production. Hengdian’s facilities, which include solar-powered stages, support every aspect of production, from pre- to post-production. They accommodate both large-scale films and numerous short dramas, fostering diverse collaborative opportunities.
“Hengdian, as a filmmaking center, provides scale, efficiency, and sustainability,” states Caroline Guo, General Manager of Hengdian World Studios’ International Business Division. “It’s a major catalyst in China’s rapidly growing film and television sector,” adds Guo, who, along with Hengdian World Studios Chairman Yang Zhiwei, will be present at the festival and the soirée.
The 50th anniversary of TIFF holds particular significance for Hengdian World Studios, as its parent company, Hengdian Group, also celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking its founding in 1975. To commemorate this important milestone, Hengdian is eager to showcase the unique features that have shaped its enduring impact and legacy in the film industry.
End-to-end filmmaking ecosystem
Hengdian World Studios provides an all-inclusive filmmaking ecosystem, encompassing over 33 million square meters. It boasts one of the world’s largest individual studios, spanning 12,000 square meters, in addition to underwater facilities, expansive outdoor sets, and more. Hengdian World Studios offers virtual production capabilities, including real-time camera tracking LED screens, motion capture technology, and cloud-based workflows, reducing production times by 40% and costs by up to 50% for select projects. Hengdian is also home to China’s largest community of background actors, with 140,000 registered extras, including more than 10,000 local residents available for large-scale shoots.
Mega growth in short dramas
With the global rise in popularity of short dramas, Hengdian has become a key center for filming and producing short-form, vertical videos. Currently, over 60 short drama production teams are filming daily at Hengdian World Studios, supported by specialized services for vertical formats. In the first half of this year alone, Hengdian has accommodated over 1600 short drama crews, and production numbers are expected to exceed 3000 by year’s end. China’s micro-drama industry created around 647,000 jobs in 2024. Globally, mobile-first storytelling is also rapidly expanding, with the short drama platform market growing from USD 6.5 billion to USD 7.2 billion in 2025, and projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% to USD 11.9 billion by 2030.
Clean energy and circular sets
Hengdian World Studios has installed 27 rooftop photovoltaic power plants covering 45,000m2 of studio rooftops throughout the city. Since 2022, these plants have generated approximately 5.5 million kWh of clean energy annually, reducing CO2 emissions by over 4,300 tons each year, all without disrupting filming activities. The studio’s “Zero-Waste Base” initiative also processes, reuses, and safely disposes of solid waste generated on set, recycling hundreds of thousands of props annually and extending the lifespan of assets across multiple productions.
Soirée details
- Date and time: 5-7PM, September 9, 2025
- Venue: TIFF Founders Lounge (2nd floor, 350 King Street West Toronto)
- RSVP: via
Please RSVP for the Hengdian World Studios industry soirée via the link provided above. Media interviews with Hengdian leaders can be arranged in advance. We look forward to celebrating 50 years of Hengdian Group and TIFF with you!
For media enquiries, please contact .
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