The 2025 Shanghai International Public Service Advertising Competition is calling for global entries from May 20 to Sept 8.

Hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Government, the event features three thematic categories — Harmonious World, Chinese Cultural Inheritance, and Urban Development for People, and four speciality categories.

Building upon last year's "Youth Creativity (for participants under the age of 18)" and "Corporate Public Service Communication" categories, this edition introduces two new specialized tracks — " University Student Creativity" and "AI Innovation".

This year's event once again features a public voting segment, designed to mobilize broader public engagement in philanthropic initiatives. Winners will receive prizes.

Domestic and international advertising entities, educational institutions, media, and individuals passionate about advertising creativity and public service communications are welcome to participate.

I. Annual Theme: Tolerance And Diversity Boundless Creativity For Good

II. Timeline:

Deadline: Sept 8

Dates of Judging: Sept 9 – Oct 31

Official Website: sipsac.cn

Entry Portal: submit.sipsac.cn/Account/Login

Submission Email for Entries: sipsac@sipsac.cn

III. Submission Requirements

1. Please make sure the cases were run during the eligibility period of Jan 1, 2023 and Sept 8, 2025. Winners of the previous year’s competition cannot re-enter the same cases.

2. Participants must register on the official website, provide accurate personal details and contact information, select their category, and upload entries as instructed. Multiple submissions of the same work are prohibited.

3. All entries must be original, with creators holding full copyright. Plagiarism or infringement will result in disqualification.

4. Participants grant the organizers non-exclusive rights to promote, exhibit, and publish submissions (including digital formats) for non-commercial purposes.

5. Category Adjustment: The organizing committee reserves the right to reassign entries to more suitable categories.

IV. category overview

1. Thematic Categories

（1） Harmonious World

This theme focuses on the Chinese civilization’s concept of “harmonious coexistence”, advocating for a green and low-carbon lifestyle to contribute to the construction of a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly society. By promoting ecological civilization, it aims to advance the building of a global community with a shared future and create a new form of human civilization.

（2） Chinese Cultural Inheritance

This theme emphasizes the inheritance and innovation of China’s outstanding traditional culture, covering areas such as ideals and beliefs, etiquette, filial piety, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and key festivals/solar terms to revitalize traditional culture. It could explore the roots of traditional culture, the fusion of diverse cultures, and the awakening of national identity, showcasing the synergy of cultural exchange — where "Diverse Beauties Complement Each Other" achieves a 1+1>2 effect.

（3） Urban Development for People

This theme highlights urban development directions across different regions, innovating the expression of city branding and presenting a new vision of urban progress. It could showcase the entire process of urban development and various aspects of urban renewal.

2. Speciality Categories

（1）Young Creatives: This category is open to young creatives who are under the age of 18, accepting works including but not limited to: print posters (hand-drawn accepted) in digital format, software design and development, long/short-form audio/video works with public service attributes.

（2）University Student Creativity: This category targets enrolled university students aged 18 and above, accepting creative works including but not limited to: digital submissions of graphic posters (hand-drawn works acceptable, software design and development projects, public service-themed long/short video or audio productions.

（3）Corporate Public Service Communication: This category refers to commercial advertising works created by enterprises that incorporate public service elements and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

（4）AI Innovation: This category refers to works that utilize AI-powered tools for generation or assistance during the creative process. Rather than being submitted as a standalone entry, participants simply need to check the "AI Technology Used" option when uploading their work information to qualify for this special classification.

V. Submission

Formats: Works under thematic categories can be divided into three subcategories based on the formats, while the specialty categories do not differentiate between work formats.

Print/Graphic: This category accepts all forms of print/digital media works, including but not limited to: Print advertisements & poster designs (static or dynamic), Photography, Comics/illustrations, Paintings and other graphic artworks.

Technical Requirements:

• File size: ≤10MB per piece
• Formats: JPG or PNG only
• Resolution: ≥300DPI
• Color mode: CMYK (for print) or RGB (for digital)
• Dimensions: A4 (210×297mm), A3 (297×420mm), or 1:1 square format
• Language: Simplified Chinese required
• Series recommendation: 4 pieces per set (for cohesive storytelling)
• Long-Form Audio/Video: Submission Requirements: Duration over 1 minute (including audio, commercials, short films, microfilms, animations, etc.).

Video Specifications:

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape) or 9:16 (portrait)
• Minimum Resolution: 1280×720 (HD)
• Format: MP4 only
• File Size: ≤1GB
• Subtitles: Simplified Chinese required

Audio Specifications:

• Format: MP3 or WMA

Short-Form Audio/Video: Duration 1 minute or less (including audio, commercials, short films, microfilms, animations, etc.).

Video Specifications:

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape) or 9:16 (portrait)
• Minimum Resolution: 1280×720 (HD)
• Format: MP4 only
• File Size: ≤500MB
• Subtitles: Simplified Chinese required

Audio Specifications:

• Format: MP3 or WMA

VI. Awards

1. Thematic Categories

The three thematic categories "Harmonious World", "Chinese Cultural Inheritance", and "Urban Development For People" are each divided into three subcategories: Print/Graphic, Long-Form Audio/Video, Short-Form Audio/Video.

Award structure per subcategory:

• Gold Award (1 winner): ¥30,000
• Silver Award (3 winners): ¥10,000 each
• Bronze Award (5 winners): ¥5,000 each
• Grand Prize (1 winner only): ¥100,000

Note: Works submitted under speciality categories are not eligible for the Grand Prize evaluation, and all prize amounts are subject to applicable taxes.

2. Speciality Categories

Young Creatives:

• "Rising Star" Best Creative Awards (10 winners): ¥1,000 cash + physical prizes
• Excellence in Creativity Awards (10 winners): ¥500 cash + physical prizes

University Student Creativity：

• "Future Shapers" Best Creative Awards (10 winners): 1,000-yuan cash + physical prizes
• Excellence in Creativity Awards (10 winners): 500-yuan cash + physical prizes

Corporate Public Service Communication:

• "Brands for Good" Awards (20 winners total)
• First Prize (2 winners)
• Second Prize (6 winners)
• Third Prize (12 winners)

AI Innovation:

• "AI Innovation Awards" (20 winners total)
• First Prize (2 winners)
• Second Prize (6 winners)
• Third Prize (12 winners)

Additional Awards:

• Cultivation Awards (10 winners): For outstanding organizations/individuals
• Honorable Mentions (130 winners): Top-scoring works across all categories

VII. Important Notice

No entry fees are required for this competition.

Submissions will be disqualified if they:

• Contain politically, religiously, or racially sensitive content that may cause negative social impact;
• Deliberately falsify campaign or performance data;
• Plagiarize works from other individuals or companies;
• Infringe upon third-party rights (e.g., intellectual property, copyrights);
• Violate other eligibility criteria;
• The organizing committee reserves the right to pursue further liabilities. If any awarded entry is proven ineligible, the committee will publicly revoke the award through official channels.

VIII. Contacts

Official Website: sipsac.cn

Entry portal: submit.sipsac.cn/Account/Login

Mobile/Tel: 17317893145\021-63730586

Email: sipsac@sipsac.cn

Address: Room 501A, Block 5, No 1143, Xikang Road, Putuo district, Shanghai, China