On October 25, the inaugural Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit — Film Forum took place at the China Film Museum in Beijing, attracting nearly a hundred industry professionals from both sides of the Taiwan Strait for in-depth discussions.
Zhang Lei, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized the role of film as a vital medium for cultural exchange, serving as a bridge that connects the hearts of people from both sides. “We welcome young filmmakers from Taiwan to come to Beijing to pursue their dreams and collaborate with their mainland counterparts. Through outstanding films, we can showcase the charm of Chinese culture and convey the shared emotional aspirations of our people,” he stated. He further announced plans to work with industry organizations to create platforms that promote high-level and diverse cultural exchanges between Beijing and Taiwan.
Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the China Film Foundation and former Deputy Director of the National Radio and Television Administration, highlighted the unprecedented development opportunities facing filmmakers from both sides in this new era. “We must keep pace with the times, continually innovate, and enhance cooperation and exchanges in the film industry,” he urged, encouraging a joint exploration of new models and pathways for film collaboration.
Zhu Yanping, a well-known director and screenwriter from Taiwan and Chair of the Cross-Strait Film Exchange Committee, reflected on the deep ties between the Taiwan and mainland film industries. “The exchange of films between the two sides cannot be interrupted, nor can cultural exchanges,” he asserted. He noted that numerous collaborative projects are in the works and the policies for co-productions are progressing. He expressed hope that filmmakers from both sides would “embrace each other passionately” to usher in a new era for Chinese-language cinema.
The forum was guided by the Beijing Municipal Film Bureau and hosted by the China Film Foundation, China Film Group Corporation, and the Beijing Cross-Strait Civil Exchange Promotion Association. Following the opening ceremony, seven experienced industry experts engaged in discussions on “Cooperation and Development of Cross-Strait Films in the New Era,” delving into the current state and future of the film industry, and exploring cultural resources to support young filmmakers from both sides.
