International documentary film festival opens in Quanzhou, Fujian
The 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival opens in Quanzhou, Fujian province, on July 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
The 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival opened Monday in Quanzhou, Fujian province, bringing together nearly 400 participants, including executives from both Chinese and international film organizations, renowned directors, and experts from the documentary and film industries.
Liu Xianxiang, vice chairman of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival in Quanzhou, Fujian province, on July 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Liu Xianxiang, vice chairman of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, underscored the coastal province's role as the origin of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and its pivotal position as a central hub of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
Liu voiced his aspirations for the festival to become a platform for industry professionals from China and around the world to engage in extensive exchanges and practical cooperation, ultimately promoting the development of documentaries.
Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival in Quanzhou, Fujian province, on July 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), stressed that documentary films are a bridge that fosters understanding and friendship among people from different nations. Lu pointed out that advancing the Belt and Road Initiative creates an array of development opportunities for countries along its routes and provides a vast platform for collaboration among both domestic and international documentary filmmakers.
He encouraged documentary professionals to delve deeper into the principles of the Belt and Road Initiative, tell captivating stories about it, foster cooperation, and contribute the compelling power of visual storytelling to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Zhang Yigong, secretary of the Communist Party of China Quanzhou Municipal Committee, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival in Quanzhou, Fujian province, on July 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Zhang Yigong, secretary of the Communist Party of China Quanzhou Municipal Committee, noted that the film festival offers Quanzhou an opportunity to deepen and expand cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, and interpersonal interactions across various sectors. Zhang expressed his hope that people would seize this opportunity to travel and explore Quanzhou, where they could share fascinating stories of China.
Paul Lewis, conference director of the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival in Quanzhou, Fujian province, on July 3, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Paul Lewis, conference director of the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, said that Asia is full of fascinating and untold stories. He expressed his hope that filmmakers could overcome cultural and language barriers and other hurdles to jointly create captivating works that foster global understanding.
During the opening event, letters of intent for international co-production projects were signed between overseas film organizations and Chinese media organizations, covering topics such as China's culture, economy, and ecology.
The event is co-hosted by CICG, the Information Office of the Fujian Provincial People's Government, Fujian Provincial Administration of Radio and Television, and the Quanzhou Municipal People's Government. For four days, the festival will feature various thematic sessions and screening activities as participants explore innovative ways for making documentaries.