As the 78th Cannes International Film Festival unfolds in France, the China Film Pavilion is spotlighting the country's expanding global influence and the vibrant pulse of its film industry.
Organized by the China Film Co-Production Corporation under the guidance of the National Film Administration, it showcases China's growing role in global cinema through promotional events, business exchanges, and cross-cultural collaborations.
This year's China Film Pavilion brought together key representatives from the country's film sector, engaging in business negotiations, thematic promotions, and film screenings. These efforts highlight the vibrancy and openness of Chinese cinema, drawing high praise from international peers.
"I think it's incredible what has happened the last couple years for Chinese films. Well, what I find interesting is how mythology is such an important topic within the films that I have seen, 'Nezha 2' is an example of that, from a sort of a more modern, contemporary perspective. But also the 'Creation of the Gods', for example, I find very impressive. Whereby, it is clear that mythology is important in that there's a real enthusiasm to tell those stories. Obviously these are two global phenomenon, which is very impressive and it also shows that it has not only touched the Chinese diaspora in Europe, for example, or around the world, but it has found a much wider audience," said Casper Nadaud, CEO of Piece Of Magic Entertainment.
Beyond film screenings, the China Film Co-Production Corporation held a special showcase of major upcoming titles. These events highlighted the synergy between cinema and cultural sectors like tourism and cuisine, offering attendees a rich, immersive taste of Chinese culture.
"I think exchange and collaboration is always a very good way to move forward. Generally co-production is always good, maybe it's also possible in the future to have some exchange that some European and German filmmakers can see how Chinese filmmakers make their movies in China. They could come to Germany and see how we are doing movies here and you can learn from each other," said Johannes Busse, head of International Sales at Sola Media (Germany).
The 78th Cannes International Film Festival runs from May 13 till 24.
Chinese film pavilion at Cannes spotlights vibrant cinema, expanding global influence
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
