Real giant pandas capture hearts of int'l filmmakers nominated for Golden Panda Awards

International filmmakers attending the 2nd Golden Panda Awards enjoyed visiting the Dujiangyan Panda Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan Province on Friday, seeing the country's most treasured animals up close. In southwest China's Sichuan Province, the home province of the giant panda, the 2025 Golden Panda Awards honors achievements in the fields of film, TV, documentary and animation under 27 categories.

On their tour, the filmmakers were won over by the adorable pandas as they watched the bears chow down on a bamboo snack.

"It's amazing, absolutely fantastic, and I've spent a lifetime making nature documentaries about 1000, so it's wonderful to come and see the real panda in Chengdu, a real treat. Thank you. It's beyond words. It's a dream come true. It's a real honor to be here celebrating with everybody the very prestigious Golden Panda Awards," said Wendy Darke, a representative of a nominated work under the Documentary Category of the 2nd Golden Panda Awards.

In addition to seeing giant pandas, guests also experienced cultural highlights such as Sichuan's tea art and woodblock printing. At the "Golden Panda Post Office," they selected postcards featuring elements of the distinctive local Bashu culture. They stamped and mailed these postcards, sending blessings from the homeland of the giant panda to destinations around the world. "I'm just so happy to be here. Just to be nominated for me is a great honor. What I'm expecting is to make a lot of connections and meet a lot of people, even directors and producers. It would be nice," said Natalia Freitas, another representative of a nominated work.

"I think it's a big festival, and these kind of festivals are very important for the world friendship between the countries," said Klaus Scheurich, a representative of a nominated work.

Real giant pandas capture hearts of int'l filmmakers nominated for Golden Panda Awards

The 30th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) opened on Tuesday, kicking off a four-day bonanza attended by over 790 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions.

This year's event provides a platform for the trading of film and television entertainment content to promote global cultural exchange and cooperation in the industry.

The expo, underway in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, has attracted participants from both established and emerging markets, including major film and television markets such as France, Italy, and the Republic of Korea, as well as ASEAN countries like Cambodia and Malaysia.

It also features numerous exhibitors from emerging markets participating for the first time, demonstrating the potential for cross-regional cooperation in the film and television industry.

The event has partnered with 10 global film promotion organizations to promote more cross-regional cooperation and co-production projects.

As the mainland film and television industry actively expands into overseas markets, film and television exhibitions have gradually become one of the key platforms to help mainland companies to go global.

"First, we are bringing high-quality audiovisual content, including our TV series Swords Into Plowshares and over a dozen other new shows. Second, in terms of ecosystem development and technology-driven innovation, we are forging strategic partnerships with tech giants. We hope to leverage platforms like Hong Kong to accelerate and enhance the transformation and upgrading of our business," said Zhao Yifang, founder and CEO of Huace Group.

EntertainmentPulse, a forum organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, was held alongside FILMART, bringing together industry leaders from around the world to discuss hot topics such as artificial intelligence, video streaming, and project financing.

30th Hong Kong FILMART opens