As the 20th China Huabiao Film Awards ceremony will take place in the coastal city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province on April 27, Qingdao is cementing its role as a key hub of the global film industry.
Traditionally hosted in Beijing, this year's Huabiao Awards will be presented outside the Chinese capital for the first time.
As China's first UNESCO-designated City of Film, Qingdao has earned a reputation as a "dream film factory" and a natural studio. The city's growth into a filmmaking powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable.
Since 2013, Qingdao has been developing the China Movie Metropolis, a sprawling film park that now spans 1.7 million square meters - equivalent to more than 230 standard football fields.
The park is home to one of China's most advanced film production bases, featuring 40 international-standard soundstages and 32 multifunctional setting workshops.
"The film park features a globally leading virtual production platform, equipped with cutting-edge filmmaking technologies, including full-body 3D scanning, micron-level facial scanning, motion capture, and real-time rendering, which are all available here," China Media Group host Zhang Tao said during a recent visit to Qingdao to explore the city's rich cinematic history.
The facility also includes a 10,000-square-meter soundstage and an indoor constant temperature underwater stage, enabling the seamless production of grand cinematic scenes.
"Qingdao is home to over 1,500 film-related companies, with some of the country's top production teams specializing in props, set design, equipment, and film art," said Zhang.
Notably, two companies in Qingdao contributed to the post-production of the hugely successful animated hit "Ne Zha 2," showcasing the city's ability to manage every step of the filmmaking process.
"Up to now, film production bases in Qingdao, represented by the China Movie Metropolis, has hosted over 500 film and TV production teams, with films shot in the city generating over 38.7 billion yuan (about 5.29 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue," said Zhang.
Famous blockbusters such as "The Wandering Earth" series, "Creation of The Gods," "Successor," "Moon Man" and "YOLO" were all filmed in Qingdao, further cementing the city's role as a leading film production center.
This year marks the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and Qingdao itself shares a 118-year history with the film industry.
The Seamen's Club in Qingdao is the home to China's first-ever cinema, which opened in 1907.
"According to statistics, from the 1930s to the Spring Festival holiday this year, nearly 200 films were shot in Qingdao, which is why many people refer to the city as the 'romantic old friend' of Chinese cinema," said Zhang.
As Qingdao continues to expand its role in the global film industry, it not only celebrates its historical connection to the silver screen but also positions itself as a vital player in the future of filmmaking. The city's hosting of the Huabiao Film Awards ceremony underscores its growing influence and commitment to fostering a thriving film culture.
China's Qingdao emerges as key hub of global film industry
