Presentation of the Symposium
The Classic Film Restoration Symposium is an annual academic event hosted by the China Film Archive, held in Suzhou. The symposium features keynote speeches and round-table discussions, bringing together experts from around the world to explore topics such as the art and technology of film restoration, research, application, and future trends. With an international perspective, the symposium aims to drive the development of film restoration and cultural heritage preservation.
Since its debut in 2020, the symposium has evolved from discussing restoration techniques and digital technology to addressing issues like standardization, dissemination, and the role of technology in preserving cultural heritage. Today, it serves as both an academic platform for sharing achievements and a cultural bridge connecting the past with the future, local with global, and technology with art.
The symposium will take place on October 31, 2026 at Shishan Conference Center, Suzhou.
The 2026 program, themed “Reviving Cultural Memory Through Classic Cinema”, will focus on three key topics:
1. New Horizons in Film Restoration in the Age of AI
This topic explores the use and regulation of emerging technologies in film restoration, focusing on database development, specialized AI models, and industry standards. Discussions will cover full-workflow digital asset management, AI-assisted reconstruction of lost classics, the balance between artistic expression and AI interpretation, and guidelines for AI use in filmmaking and restoration.
2. Film Restoration from a Humanistic Perspective
This topic examines the cultural, historical, and academic value of film restoration. Key issues include public funding and policy support, the preservation of film as a physical medium, the principle of restoring films to their original condition, and related practices such as subtitle restoration and the recovery of missing information. It also explores how the social sciences, philosophy, and phenomenology can enrich restoration theory and practice.
3. Expanding the Reach of Restored Films
This topic explores ways to bring restored films to wider audiences through theatrical re-releases, film festivals, online platforms, and new viewing experiences. It also considers cross-sector collaborations with cultural tourism, creative industries, fashion, and digital art, as well as IP development, brand partnerships, and social media strategies to engage younger audiences and renew the cultural value of classic cinema.
We sincerely invite colleagues and professionals from all fields to register for the events.
Please note that participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meals during the symposium, and we kindly ask you to plan accordingly.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the details below.
Contact Email: jshiyang@cfa.org.cn
Since the launch of the Film Archive Digitization and Restoration Project in 2006, the China Film Archive had restored more than 500 films by the time the first Classic Film Restoration Symposium took place in 2020. As China’s film digitization efforts reached important milestones and awareness of cultural heritage preservation continued to grow, the symposium emerged in response to these developments.
Since its founding, the symposium has presented a distinctive theme for each year.
The first symposium in 2020 focused on “Craftsmanship, Heritage, and Innovation,” examining the spirit of craftsmanship, cultural value, youth engagement in heritage, and the integration of modern technology.
In 2021, themed “Innovation and Iteration,” the symposium explored the combination of advanced technologies, such as AI colorization, with traditional restoration methods. It showcased China’s first black-and-white-to-color 4K restored feature, The Eternal Wave, as a prime example of how technological advances drive transformative results.
The 2023 symposium, themed “Mutual Learning and Integration,” brought together curators from international film festivals and archives, including Bologna and Cannes. From diverse and global perspectives, participants engaged in wide-ranging discussions on key topics such as the cultural impact of restored films, shared principles and standards, and the integration of technological innovation in film restoration.
The 2024 symposium was held at the newly opened Jiangnan Center of the China Film Archive, with discussions spanning a broader range of topics, including AI-assisted restoration, industry standards, and curatorial practice and outreach.
In 2025, the symposium centered on the theme “Reviving and Reimagining Classic Images,” with four sessions—Renewal, Intelligent Innovation, Craftsmanship, and The Art of Film. The program addressed topics such as cross-disciplinary collaboration, technological applications, and preservation strategies, seeking a restoration path that blends an international perspective with Chinese experience and practice.
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