Attendees at China's 2025 National Film Work Conference, held in Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province on Sunday and Monday, celebrated the recent achievements of China's film industry, discussed emerging trends, and set ambitious goals for the future, with an emphasis on fostering innovation, increasing global influence, and maintaining high-quality development.
The conference highlighted key milestones, including record-breaking global box office performances and globally-successful animated films, further cementing China's growing influence on the international cinema scene. The gathering also marked the upcoming 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema.
Shen Haixiong, deputy minister of the Publicity Department and president of China Media Group, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the year's achievements and stressing the need for continued progress.
Discussions at the conference centered on creating high-quality films, advancing industry reforms, and promoting technological innovation. The government is also focusing on enhancing international cooperation to drive growth in both domestic and global markets, while ensuring a balance between tradition and innovation.
"Shen's speech was incredibly inspiring and has given us great confidence. At Beijing Enlight Media, we have always believed that great films should speak for themselves, and we have made that our corporate philosophy. However, achieving this requires a good creative and market environment for filmmaking. I believe the Film Bureau and the Ministry of Publicity have created an excellent policy environment, along with strong management and services, which allow Chinese filmmakers to fully unleash their creative passion and abilities. Therefore, we remain very confident," said Wang Changtian, chairman of Beijing Enlight Media, the studio behind the hit Chinese animated movie series Ne Zha.
Yu Zhou, president of Light Chaser Animation, another well-known studio, echoed Wang's sentiments.
"It's truly uplifting. Shen's remarks have provided us with clear direction and methods to follow. We are motivated to work even harder and produce outstanding works. Just as Shen said, we should live up to the expectations of the great era," said Yu.
Jiang Defu, chairman of the Guangzhou Film Association, highlighted the importance of audience engagement.
"Audiences must understand what we are doing. At the same time, we need to create better works for them. The interaction between creators and audiences is essential. Once we establish the right positioning, we know we must create the best possible works for our viewers to support us. Chinese cinema will continue to improve," Jiang said.
The conference included group discussions, where representatives from leading Chinese film companies shared insights and set the stage for the continued growth of China's film industry, aiming to reach new heights and further establish global influence.
Veteran actor Chen Daoming, chairman of the China Film Association, emphasized the importance of individuality in filmmaking.
"What is creation? Creation is individuality. I hope each film has its own unique charm, each actor has their special appeal. With a population of 1.4 billion, there are endless stories to tell. These stories are human stories," said Chen.
China's national film conference focuses on growth, global influence
