Outdoor screenings are scheduled during the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival. (Photo: Xinhua)

An online market for films and TV programs was launched in Shanghai on Friday during the 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival.

As part of the ongoing film festival and the forthcoming Shanghai TV Festival, the market aims to create a more efficient platform for communication and transactions between film and TV companies during the COVID-19 epidemic, its organizer said.

It has attracted more than 700 exhibitors, about half of which were from overseas.

Running through Aug 5, the market will feature online exhibitions of films and TV programs, meetings and promotion activities, one-on-one online meetings between participants, and a variety of online services, including copyright and insurance consulting.