Qingdao's golden beaches and big-screen dreams collided last Friday as the SCO Film & TV Week kicked off under the theme "In Qingdao, the world meets through light and shadow." 🎬✨
Co-hosted by China Media Group and the Qingdao Municipal People's Government, with backing from the China Film Administration, the weeklong festival has transformed the coastal gem on the Chinese mainland into a buzzing hub of cinematic exchange. Filmmakers, industry leaders, SCO secretary-general Nurlan Yermekbayev, actors, and new media creators from member states have descended on Qingdao to celebrate stories that bridge cultures.
The Star-Studded Launch
The opening night featured live performances, sneak peeks at featured films, and the rollout of a global media campaign. In a video address, Nurlan Yermekbayev emphasized the festival's role in deepening cultural ties and sparking new friendships across SCO members. 🌍❤️
On the red carpet, directors like Stanley Tong and Kazakh actress Adema Yerzhanova shared how their film "Red Silk" weaves SCO ideals—dialogue, embrace, belief—into its narrative. Meanwhile, the China–Central Asia documentary "Homeland" premiered, spotlighting shared histories through powerful visuals.
Qingdao: Reel to Real
As a UNESCO "City of Film," Qingdao's Oriental Movie Metropolis hosted a showcase for "Operation Hadal: Special Edition," China’s first nuclear-submarine epic. With upgraded tech and dramatic sets, the film displays the city's booming production chops. 🎥🚢
Sun Hengqin, president of the movie metropolis, invited more SCO filmmakers to turn Qingdao into their creative playground, saying: "Let your cinematic dreams come to life here."
Beyond the Screen
The festival blends online and offline magic: 24 documentaries and 8 TV dramas stream on the CCTV Video app, while 29 top films play at Wanda Cinemas. Pop-up outdoor screenings, cultural tours, and interactive livestreams—like fireside chats with Chinese and Iranian filmmakers—offer fans unique behind-the-scenes peeks.
New media creators from countries like Russia, Iran, and India kicked off the "Light and Shadow Qingdao" campaign, promising to share the city's cinematic energy across social feeds.
With representatives from the Maldives, Kazakhstan, and Russia watching the show, this SCO Film & TV Week proves cinema isn't just entertainment—it's a passport to unity. 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
