The highly anticipated China Film Festival commenced at the prestigious Silverbird Galleria,Victoria Island, Lagos, illuminating with a dazzling display of Chinese culture and cinematic excellence.
The opening ceremony was marked by mesmerizing cultural performances presented by the Huaxing Art Troupe Nigeria, capturing the hearts of the audience and setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
The China Film Festival, organised to promote cultural exchange between China and Nigeria, drew dignitaries from all walks of life, including the visiting Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, Executive Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Hu Heping.
The event was further enlivened by the warm welcome speech of the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing.
Yan Yuqing said, “The prosperity of civilization and human progress will not be possible without enhancing common ground, openness and inclusiveness as well as exchange and mutual learning and reserving differences among them.”
“This year’s China Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria, aims to practice the Global Civilization Initiative, to implement the China-Africa cultural and people-to-people exchange program. This Film Festival is also to strengthen China-Nigeria cultural exchanges and film-making cooperation, so as to share Chinese harmony and perform Nigeria-China symphony, and enhance the mutual comprehension between our two countries.”
The Executive Deputy Director General, Bureau of Films, the Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr. Mao Yu said, “We are confident that Chinese film industry has embarked on steady high quality development and will continue to deliver as a major driver and contributor to the global market.
“We believe mutual film festivals will become a new starting point for deepening China-Nigeria film exchanges and cooperation, which will inject new momentum into the development of global film market and make new contributions to promoting a high-level China-Africa community of a shared future.”
Also, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, said: “Today, you can see where we are, the Chinese is becoming our greatest ally. because what the Chinese represent in Asia is what Nigeria represents the Africa, So bringing these two economic together, it will be a unique brand of developing the world.
“China Film Festival has become a way of communicating, uniting the people, and showing the similarities that we have as a people. And today, I’m very excited that Nigerians are putting on Chinese costumes to dance the Chinese dance, and also to participate in the nation, development of people to people, activity to activity.”
As the curtains rose on the festival, eager film enthusiasts and industry professionals were thrilled to learn that 11 highly anticipated Chinese films would be premiering during the festival’s duration, which promised a diverse range of cinematic experiences, showcasing the richness and depth of Chinese storytelling and filmmaking.
One of the highlights of the event was the premiere of the film “Cloudy Mountain”, a movie about giving up personal gain to save more lives in the face of disaster, and a live performance by the actress Ms. Zhu Hongxing, who featured as Xiaoqing in the critically acclaimed film, “White Snake.”
The China Film Festival not only offers a delightful cinematic experience but also serves as a bridge between two nations, fostering cultural exchange and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking for the next few weeks.