The 2026 Chinese Film Festival opened in Moscow on Monday, presenting six contemporary films spanning action, animation, drama and comedy, part of a program organizers say showcases modern Chinese life and strengthens cultural ties with Russia.
The launch featured young Chinese actor Li Zhekun, who showcased martial arts skills. He stars in the crime action thriller "The Shadow's Edge", one of six new Chinese films screened at the festival.
"This is my first time in Russia. The people in Moscow are very friendly, and the city left a really great impression on me," said Li.
Feng Litao, minister‑counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Russia and director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Moscow, said film offers a productive way to showcase modern Chinese life and deepen ties between the two countries
"Film is always a very productive way to show modern Chinese life, traditions, and culture. As relations between our countries develop, it's crucial for our peoples to get to know each other better and create a solid foundation for further development of relations between our countries," said Feng.
The opening film was the comedy adventure "Lychee Road", exploring themes of professional success, personal responsibility and social differences. Alongside the screenings, organizers stressed the festival's role in fostering industry ties.
"Our Chinese friends are looking forward to a series of business meetings, business meetings regarding the conclusion of agreements on the exchange of national films between the two countries, so we are looking forward to new joint co-production projects," said Elsa Antonova, CEO of Roskino, the state organization responsible for promoting the Russian audiovisual content industry in international markets.
Organizers also noted that China is now the world's second-largest film market, underscoring the value of exchange festivals as opportunities to immerse audiences in the country's cinema and traditions.
In addition to films from China, the lineup includes the Chinese-Russian co-production "Red Silk" and the Russian war drama "His Name Was Not Listed", which depicts the heroic Soviet defense of Brest Fortress against Nazi forces in 1941.
Organizers said Russia's "Chinese Film Festival" and China's "Russian Film Festival" have been held for years as reciprocal exchanges. The 2026 edition runs June 8 through 14 in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, with all films screened in Chinese and subtitled in Russian.
2026 Chinese Film Festival kicks off in Moscow
