Liu Hongbing, head of the Minister – Standing -Committee and Director General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, opened the 2025 China-Africa Film Week with a powerful message of cross-cultural solidarity.
“Although mountains and seas are separated, hearts are intertwined,” Liu said, quoting a Chinese proverb to highlight the deepening cultural ties between China and Africa through cinema.
Held at the Kichantow film production facility in Changsha, Hunan Province, the event officially opened on June 12 and drew an international delegation of actors, filmmakers, government officials, and diplomats. As one of the flagship programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Film Week is aimed at enhancing artistic collaboration and cultural diplomacy between the two regions.
This year’s theme, “Crossing Continents and Oceans, Film Fosters Empathy,” is reflected in four curated sections:
Reshaping Africa: The Revival of African Narratives – Showcasing contemporary African storytelling and the evolution of traditional themes.
Highlighting South Africa: Cultural Perspectives of the Rainbow Nation – Offering a cinematic lens into South Africa’s diverse cultural identity.
Crossing Cultures: Cinematic Journeys in Shared Histories – Exploring historical connections between China and Africa through film.
Presenting China: Oriental Art in a Global Context – Introducing Chinese film aesthetics and their growing influence on international cinema.
In his keynote remarks, Liu spotlighted Hunan Province’s emergence as a major force in China’s cinematic landscape and its increasing engagement with Africa.
He noted that recent partnerships include African filmmakers participating in study tours, co-production discussions, and training programs hosted in Hunan, underlining the province’s role as a creative crossroads for global storytelling.
Qin Zhenguel, deputy director of the China Film Administration and head of the Film Script Planning and Programming Center under the Central Committee’s Publicity Department, also addressed the gathering.
He emphasized the strategic value of film in advancing national development goals and people-to-people diplomacy. Citing President Xi Jinping’s repeated visits to Africa, Qin highlighted the enduring commitment to sincere bilateral relations that lay the groundwork for initiatives like the Film Week.
According to organizers, the event is designed not only as a cultural exhibition but also as a working platform for film professionals to engage in collaboration, innovation, and exchange. Screenings, industry forums, and matchmaking sessions throughout the week are expected to spark new co-productions and inspire a new generation of transcontinental filmmakers.
