CMG Film Culture Carnival kicks off in Tianjin

The Tianjin edition of the CMG Film Culture Carnival kicked off in Tianjin on August 14. The event was jointly hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Tianjin Municipal People's Government under the guidance of the China Film Administration.

Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and president and editor-in-chief of CMG; Shen Lei, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department; and Li Wenhai, vice mayor of Tianjin, attended the event and jointly launched the carnival with Zhou Zhenhong, a member of CMG's Editorial Board; Li Xuyan, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee; Zhou Bo, secretary of the CPC Hedong District Committee; Yu Pengzhou, director of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism; and Wei Nan, deputy director of the China Film Administration.

Centered on the "film+" economy, the carnival features a series of innovative activities designed to create an immersive film and cultural event for the public, unlock consumer potential, promote consumption upgrades and contribute to economic and social development.

At the event, actors Shen Teng, Liu Mintao and Huang Zhizhong were appointed as "Film Culture Ambassadors."

They said that the influence of films now extends far beyond the screen, becoming part of people's everyday lives in increasingly diverse ways. As Film Culture Ambassadors, they said they have a greater responsibility to not only hone their craft and bring memorable characters to life, but also help bring film culture into households across the country, enrich people's cultural lives and contribute to telling China's stories in the new era.

The creative team behind Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, one of the major Chinese films released during the summer season, shared insights into the making of the film.

The film juxtaposes the chaos of war and displacement outside a restaurant with the warmth of its kitchen, where the fire never goes out and people continue to sit down for a good meal. The striking contrast offers a vivid reflection on Chinese people's appreciation for the simple pleasures of everyday life and their belief in harmony, while highlighting the preciousness of peace and shared destiny.

The creative team behind Demon Agent, China's first animated comedy detective film, also shared their experiences at the event.

In addition, Tianjin authorities unveiled a series of measures to promote business and tourism, creating new consumption scenarios that integrate culture, commerce and tourism. 

By leveraging the popularity of films to drive additional consumer demand, the initiatives aim to enrich people's cultural and consumption experiences while further integrating the film industry with the city's broader economic development.