Belgian filmmaker Melissa Mabesoone, director and lead actor of the short film "Maturation Station," spoke with CGTN's Zhang Meng during the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF), where her work was nominated for Best Short Film in the Golden Coconut Awards. It also marked the film's Asian and Chinese premiere – an experience she described as both exciting and eye-opening.

Mabesoone said she was particularly struck by the diversity of creators gathered in Sanya, meeting filmmakers from across Europe, Southeast Asia and China. The festival atmosphere, she noted, offered a rare chance to exchange perspectives across cultures and filmmaking traditions.