Shanghai's first anime-themed theater, SFC BOE-α Cinema, officially opened on June 15 at Metro City shopping mall in the Xujiahui. The launch coincided with the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival, held from June 13 to 22.

Edge of Time, an animated short film shortlisted for this year's SIFF Golden Goblet Awards, premiered at the newly opened cinema that same day.

Occupying a total area of 6,000 square meters on the fifth and sixth floors of Metro City, the cinema features immersive technological setups, such as naked-eye 3D tri-fold screens, XR virtual cinemas, and a 360-degree panoramic theater.

In addition to film screenings, the venue offers a range of diverse entertainment experiences, from a retrospective exhibition of classic animations by Shanghai Animation Film Studio, to the world's first AI pet store, and a flash zone showcasing popular Chinese animations.

Alongside the cinema, the integrated cultural and commercial space Happy Mall for Movie-Goers was also unveiled, combining film screenings with dining and shopping.

In the future, Happy Mall plans to host a variety of events, such as premieres, art exhibitions, and fan meetups, to foster a vibrant cultural ecosystem.

Edge of Time, produced by Shanghai Film Studio, is a joint creation by four acclaimed animation directors from China and Japan: Shinichiro Watanabe, Li Wei, Shuhei Morita, and Weng Ming.

Based on a cosmic energy force known as "Taisu", the movie intertwines four stories across different times and spaces, exploring common themes related to emotions, civilizations, and wars.

Source: Jiefang Daily