SCO Film Festival to Open in Yongchuan, Chongqing from June 23-27

Beijing - The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival will be held from June 23 to 27 in Yongchuan, Chongqing, organizers announced at a press conference in Beijing on April 23.

Co-hosted by the China Film Administration and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, the event is organized by the Chongqing Municipal Film Administration and the Yongchuan District People's Government of Chongqing.

On April 23, a press conference for the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival was held in Beijing. (Photo/Chen Keru)

The year 2025 marks the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema. After a seven-year hiatus, the SCO Film Festival returns to China, harnessing the universal language of film to promote the SCO's civilizational values—equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness.

At the press conference, Mao Yu, Executive Deputy Director of the China Film Administration, proposed three initiatives to mark the occasion: First, further opening China's film market by encouraging Chinese film distributors to acquire and screen outstanding films from the festival in theaters or on television.

Second, the "SCO Young Filmmakers Exchange Program" will launch to provide training for aspiring young filmmakers from SCO countries. 

Third, establishing the "SCO Film Producers Association Alliance" to deepen comprehensive and multi-faceted cooperation among SCO nations in the film industry, creating a professional and efficient platform for communication and practical collaboration.

Shri Janesh Kain, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO, said in his speech that hosting film festivals and screening activities has become a fine tradition within the SCO. He firmly believes that the festival held during China's chairmanship will uniquely showcase the power of the "Shanghai Spirit" and serve as an important platform to promote cultural dialogue, enhance mutual understanding, and bring people closer together.

Guan Hong, Executive Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee and Director-General of the Chongqing Municipal Film Administration, highlighted Chongqing's distinctive and pivotal role in China's regional development and opening-up strategy. He noted the city's deep-rooted and fruitful collaboration with the SCO and warmly welcomed filmmakers and investors to explore new horizons for cross-cultural exchange and film industry development in Chongqing.

Guan Hong, Executive Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee; Director-General of Chongqing Municipal Film Administration, gave a speech. (Photo/Deng Yan)

As the host, Guan Zhongxiao, Secretary of the Yongchuan District Committee of Chongqing, outlined the festival's key events, including opening and closing ceremonies, film awards, a film cooperation forum, and a "Country in Focus" segment. Additionally, special activities will include a film technology exhibition, a film-themed music festival, screenings, outdoor markets, and cultural exchanges.

The festival will present 12 awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Special Jury Prize. The jury, comprising film professionals recommended by each SCO member and observer state, will be chaired by Ren Zhonglun, a renowned Chinese film producer, screenwriter, and professor.

The poster of the 2025 SCO Film Festival. (Photo/The event organizer)

During the press conference, the festival's logo, main visual design, and trophy were unveiled. All designs incorporate Chongqing's city flower, the camellia, symbolizing the blossoming of life, civilization, and the future, collectively nurtured by filmmakers from SCO nations.

The festival's logo, main visual, and trophy design were officially revealed. They all feature Chongqing's city flower, the camellia, symbolizing the vitality, civilization, and future nurtured collectively by SCO filmmakers. (Photo/Chen Keru)

Representatives from the China Film Administration and its affiliated enterprises and institutions, the SCO Secretariat, the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee, Yongchuan District, and diplomatic envoys from SCO countries in China attended the event.