2025 I.M.S. Magic Gala | The 40th Merlin Awards Conclude in Shenzhen
The 2025 I.M.S. Annual Magic Gala – The 40th Merlin Awards Ceremony – was successfully held at Shenzhen Women and Children's Building. The event was hosted by the International Magician Society (I.M.S.) and Shenzhen Women and Children's Building Operation Management Co., Ltd., co-organized by Beijing Fantasy Forest Magic Cultural Industry Group, Fantasy Forest (Shenzhen) Cultural Co., Ltd., and Bacon Magic.
With members across dozens of countries and regions—including China, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia—its global membership once set a Guinness World Record. This year, I.M.S. President Tony Hassini attended the ceremony in person to present the awards.
Since its establishment in 1968, the Merlin Award has been hailed as the "Oscar of Magic" and is one of the most influential awards in the global magic community.
2025 Merlin Award Winners
Best Magic Stand-Up Show:"Three Pieces of Chocolate" by Sun Zheng
Known as the pioneer of China's theatrical magic, Sun Zheng blends stand-up comedy with magic surprises, turning the stage into a sweet treat for the audience.
Best New Media Creator: Tan Suyang
A storyteller of magic in short videos and social media, Tan brings magic into daily life and even partnered with public security media to create"anti-fraud magic."
Future Star: Zhu Yiming (16-year-old rising talent!)
At just 16, Zhu directed and performed his own solo show The World and Me, using magic to tell stories of youth and growth.
Best Theatrical Magician: He Mujun
A graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, He combines theater and magic. His representative works—Daydream, Magic Variety Show, A Moment of Surprise, and A Wish on the Horizon—have become cultural highlights in Xiamen.
Most Innovative Magic Theater: Symbiosis Magic Theater
A pioneering venue that integrates"magic + immersive space," staging over 400 performances a year and sparking a new wave of magic theater.
Most Influential Magician: Dong Liang
The sensational TikTok magician whose masterful cardistry amassed 2.3 billion views and earned him the title of “King of Magic Memes” of the year.
From the breathtaking stage productions to the surprising moments in short videos, today's magicians are pushing the boundaries of the art in their own unique ways. Magic is not only about "making things appear or vanish"—it's about reminding people that the world is still full of wonder.
With this grand event, Shenzhen once again became the global spotlight of magic!