The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film and Television Week kicked off in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province on Friday with a high-profile opening ceremony, which was attended by diplomats, filmmakers, and international stars, highlighting the growing role of the city as a hub for multinational cinematic collaboration.
Behind the glittering event, the SCO's first-ever multinational film week, lies a broader effort to strengthen real-world cultural ties among SCO countries through shared film projects and production partnerships.
Since 2020, more than 40 co-produced films have been initiated among SCO member states, reflecting a strategic emphasis on cultural exchange and soft power.
One notable example is the action-spy film "The Red Silk", a Russia-China collaboration.
"The 'Red Silk', which is like an action movie, a spy movie about a Russian intelligence officer tasked with delivering a secret document and is assisted by a Chinese friend who is played by a beautiful Chinese actress who actually studied acting skills in Russia," said Oleg Brizhatty, attache of Humanitarian Section of the Russian Embassy.
Popular Russian Singer Alena Sviridova who sings the theme song of the film made a stellar appearance at the opening ceremony for the SCO Film and Television Week.
"It seems to be that it's the most important thing, the love between our people. I remember in my childhood, my grandmother kept a drawing from China of two beautiful little girls drinking tea. And I love China from my childhood because I love this painting. And also Russian people remember today the long way of friendship between our countries," she said.
Meanwhile, the Qingdao Oriental Film Metropolis, a production base for major films including "Wandering Earth 2" and "Pacific Rim: Uprising", continues to attract international filmmakers with its advanced facilities and supportive policies.
"The government has a set of policies or incentives to encourage foreign filmmakers to come here. If you stay here in the hotel, for example, they give you a certain amount of subsidy, it's about 40 percent of your spendings," said Sun Hengqin, CEO of Qingdao Oriental Film Metropolis.
In addition to financial benefits, the expertise and craftsmanship at the Qingdao complex have drawn praise from industry veterans.
"Chinese manufacturing is very mature right now. And in terms of hardware production, we have the same level of production as Hollywood, with the only difference being the amount of time and money invested. However, that also pushes us to innovate," said Kim-Wai Chung, a set decorator with 38 years of experience who has worked on films such as "Mulan", "Mummies III", and "Operation Leviatha".
China's Qingdao cements SCO's cultural "silk road" as hub for multinational cinematic collaboration
