SCO Film Festival: The first SCO Film Festival kicks off in Qingdao

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The first SCO Film Festival is taking place in Qingdao, bringing together movie stars and famous directors from member states. The event was initiated by China, the host country for this year's SCO summit. The festival aims to promote cultural exchanges among the members. Liu Xin'qing tells us more.

It's another gorgeous gathering of film moguls. This time, under the framework of the SCO.

The first SCO Film Festival kicked off in Qingdao right after the SCO summit. Delegations from all eight SCO member countries and four observers gather at the largest film production base in Qingdao, the "Oriental Film City".

WANG XIAOHUI EXECUTIVE VICE MINISTER, CPC PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT "All SCO member states have diverse cultures, traditions and specific charms in the film sector. Therefore, strengthening film exchanges and cooperation among the SCO members has great potential and significance."

Big name film stars and directors from 12 countries are present at this event, promoting high-quality films from their own markets.

And expectations are high.

BARAKI MOHAMMED ASEF AFGHANISTAN FILM DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER "We were expecting what we will experience and other things, and in the last few hours, our expectations have been fulfilled."

MANJULE NAGRAJ BABURAO INDIAN FILM DIRECTOR "I want to look at how people are receiving Indian films here, and also films from other countries. Now, it's a very important time in terms of Indian film where it's going global."

Film is an art that goes beyond boundaries and has the ability to bring people together. The theme of this film festival is doing just that by following the Shanghai spirit of seeking common growth while respecting cultural diversity.

LIU XINQING QINGDAO, SHANDONG "The Film Festival under the framework of SCO is very significant not only because it helps promote cultural exchanges among the member states, but also because it covers a huge market for the film industry, a market of more than 3 billion people. And that is presenting enormous opportunities for film cooperation among the member states."

China has the second largest film market in the world. And Qingdao has the biggest filmmaking base in China, the "Oriental Film City". It is a project with an investment of 50 billion yuan. It has the country's largest film studio, most advanced film-making equipment, and top-notch film-making talents.

That's also a major reason why it has been chosen to host the first SCO film festival.

During the 5-day event, delegations will bring in 23 films for a competition and 55 films for public consumption. The aim is to promote cultural exchanges and set up a platform for film industry cooperation. A mission especially important for the SCO.

LIU XINQING, CGTN, QINGDAO, SHANDONG PROVINCE.