The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival is set to kick off Thursday evening in Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, with preparations complete and personnel ready for the opening ceremony.
The ceremony will showcase vibrant singing and dancing performances, alongside actors and filmmakers sharing captivating stories from their careers.
"We've invited famous Russian singer Nyusha. She is a 'national treasure' in Russia. Her performance is full of current Russian music styles," said An Renyi, chief director of the opening ceremony.
Over 1,000 volunteers are anticipated to deliver professional and welcoming service to guests from SCO member states, including Russia and Kazakhstan. "I'm in charge of leading the volunteers from Southwest University to help out with the rehearsal of the whole opening ceremony. I started working on-site from June 27. As for students from Sichuan International Studies University, they're helping with things related to minor languages, such as giving information, and guiding and welcoming guests," said Gao Ling'er, one of the volunteers.
Members of the film festival's jury also participated in the rehearsal.
"We engage in communication, judgment and selection on such a stage as ours. I believe it can truly achieve cultural exchange among our countries, which is what we call each beauty in its own way and all beauties in harmony," said Ren Zhonglun, chairman of the jury.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast on CCTV-6 at 20:40, Beijing time, on Thursday.
SCO Film Festival set to kick off in Chongqing
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
