Insiders unveil film lineup for holidays

A promotional event showcasing films for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, as well as new releases commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March victory, was held in Beijing earlier this month.

Organized by the China Film Administration, the event presented a diverse lineup of upcoming films, with cast and crew members taking the stage to introduce their works.

Among the films marking the Long March anniversary were several stories inspired by the historic journey. Yi Shuang Xiu Qiu Cao Xie (A Pair of Embroidered Straw Sandals) follows Red Army soldier Xie Zhijian, who carries a pair of embroidered straw sandals from his fiancee as a symbol of her love and a source of strength during the Long March.

Co-directors Li Shu and Zhang Tianyuan said the film aims to show that the Long March was more than a grand historical event. Behind every soldier was a hometown and loved ones waiting for their return.

Another Long March-themed film, Light Chaser, is set against the Battle of Xiangjiang, one of the bloodiest engagements of the journey. It follows ordinary Red Army soldiers who become separated from the main force and are stranded in the mountains after the battle. Director and chief screenwriter Qiu Huaiyang said the film seeks to connect younger audiences with revolutionary history through the stories of ordinary people.

Beyond the anniversary films, a broad selection of titles was prepared for the holiday period, traditionally one of the key moviegoing seasons in China.