Building Transnational Bridges: The Grand Opening of China Film Festival 2024 in London, UK

On April 11, the China Film Festival 2024, hosted by China Film Administration and organised by China Film Archive, commenced in London, UK, marking a significant milestone in Sino-British cultural exchange. Esteemed guests including Zheng Zeguang, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Counsellor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, Luo Yang, Deputy Director General of China Film Administration, Rupert Daniels, Director for Services and Skills at the UK Department for Business and Trade, and other guests from China and the UK in the field of film, television and culture attended the event.

Group photo of guests at the opening ceremony of the 'China Film Festival' in London, UK

Since last year, under the cooperation framework of various diplomatic and humanities mechanisms, China film industry has been steadily recovering and developing, constantly opening up and expanding new paths and modes of cooperation and taking new steps in foreign co-production and "Going Global".

China Film Festival serves as a pivotal platform for deepening Sino-foreign film cultural exchange, showcasing the evolution of Chinese films, and portraying a true, multidimensional and panoramic China to the global audience. Through this festival, the British audience is exposed the opportunity to immerse themselves in the charm of Chinese films, fostering a greater understanding of Chinese culture and strengthening bilateral friendships.

The Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the "China Film Festival" in London, UK

Luo Yang, the Deputy Director of the National Film Administration of China, delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the ‘China Film Festival’ in London, UK

The festival's opening night featured the screening of One and Only (2023) directed by Da Peng and starring Huang Bo and Wang Yibo. With its theme of dreams, the film encapsulates the journey of a spirited teenager. It serves not only as a symbol of goodwill for Sino-British relations but also as a testament to the power of perseverance and dreams. The enthusiastic response from the audience underscores the festival's role in bridging and connecting the hearts and minds of the people of China and the UK.

Rupert Daniels, the Director of the Services and Skills Department of the UK Department of Business and Trade, delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the ‘China Film Festival’ in London, UK

During April 11th to 14th, the festival will showcase five outstanding Chinese films at the Prince Charles Cinema in central London, including The Wandering Earth 2 (2023), Papa (2023), Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms (2023), Lighting Up the Stars (2022) and Love Never Ends (2023). Notably, The Wandering Earth 2 released in the UK on January 22, 2023, has emerged as the highest-grossing Chinese-language film in the local box office over the past 15 years, underscoring the local audience's profound appreciation for Chinese cinema.