On September 23rd, the 12th Silk Road International Film Festival held its "Belt and Road" Country Promotion and Signing Ceremony in Fuzhou. Officials from government cultural departments, representatives from film organizations, and industry professionals from over 10 countries, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Russia, gathered together to explore new avenues for film industry collaboration and chart a new course for mutual learning among civilizations, using film as a medium.
Jiao Hongfen, Chairman of the China Film Producers Association, noted that the Chinese film market, boasting over 90,000 screens and nearly 2 billion annual moviegoers, has entered a new stage of high-quality development. He expressed his hope that the Silk Road International Film Festival would serve as a platform for deepening collaboration with other countries in areas such as creation, production, and technology, allowing film and television to become a "golden bridge" connecting emotions and promoting understanding.
During the core event, representatives from film organizations in 10 countries took turns sharing the characteristics of their respective film industries, policy dividends, and cooperation potential, opening a diverse window into global film collaboration for the audience.
Dato' Kamil Osman, Creative Industries Advisor of the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia, highlighted the "Cash Rebate Policy": foreign film and television crews filming in Malaysia can receive a 30% cash rebate. If they incorporate Malaysian cultural elements (such as food and traditional costumes), the rebate can be increased to 35%.
Saifullah, Director of the Department of Film, Music and Arts at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, explained that the Indonesian film market has enormous potential. In 2024, local films are expected to surpass international films at the box office for the first time, and moviegoers are projected to reach 58 million in 2025. However, there are only 2,300 cinemas nationwide, and half of the cities have no cinemas, leaving ample room for investment.
Bobora, Director of the Department of Cinema at the Ministry of Culture and Arts of Cambodia, has introduced policies such as tax exemptions, simplified filming permits, and professional team support, under the slogan "Cambodia is the next film destination," focusing on promoting World Heritage filming locations such as Angkor Wat.
Motina Nadezhda, President of the Russian distribution company Arna Media, revealed that Russia will release films such as "Not Home Alone" and "My Dad is a Bear" in 2025, and expressed her hope to collaborate with Chinese actors and film crews to expand co-productions on family and adventure themes.
Vladimir Karachutsky, General Manager of the Belarusian National Cinema Line, proposed that Belarus and China could jointly build AR/VR post-production centers and IT distribution clusters to promote co-productions in each other's markets.
Furkat Usmanov, Director of the Uzbek Film Development Center, explained that Uzbekistan boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Samarkand and Bukhara, offering low filming costs and professional service. The country has collaborated with China on the new film "Just Waiting for Me" and hopes that more international teams will explore the charming landscape, a blend of ancient and modern elements.
Pratak, President of the Nepal International Film Festival, shared that Nepal, as a filming location for Chinese films such as "Waiting for the Wind," looks forward to collaborating with China to develop scenic resources such as the Himalayas and ancient temples, and to promote local stories internationally.
Angko Dumeko, Acting CEO of the South African National Film and Video Foundation, stated that South Africa has signed co-production agreements with countries such as France and Canada and looks forward to establishing collaboration with China in areas such as documentary collaboration and film and television talent training, to jointly develop diverse narrative themes in Africa.
In addition, Evans Ongor Makosewé, Chief Industry Supply Officer of the Kenya Film Commission, introduced Kenya's "Experience the Whole of Africa in One Country" filming advantages (snow-capped mountains, grasslands, deserts, etc.) and the international influence of the Kerala Film Festival through on-site promotion, and Ajoy Chandran, Secretary General of the Kerala International Film Festival Association of India, introduced Kenya's "Experience the Whole of Africa in One Country" filming advantages (snow-capped mountains, grasslands, deserts, etc.) and the international influence of the Kerala Film Festival through video, and extended invitations for cooperation.
At the signing ceremony, Jiao Hongfen joined representatives from film organizations in nine countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, and Russia, on stage to sign an agreement to establish a collaborative exchange platform. This platform not only serves as a testament to the friendship between filmmakers from various countries, but also marks a new stage for the film industries of Belt and Road participating countries, transitioning from independent operations to resource integration and shared value creation. In the future, all parties will collaborate deeply in areas such as film screenings, co-production development, talent exchange, and technical collaboration, jointly promoting diverse cultures to the world through film and television.
This event not only fostered a fusion of diverse film cultures but also built a solid bridge for Belt and Road film cooperation. Since the fourth launch of the "Silk Road Film Industry Trading Platform Alliance" in Fuzhou, it has brought together 38 member countries, creating an open and shared platform for international film cooperation. The participation of Nepal and Belarus in this year's film festival further strengthens the alliance.
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