The China Film Festival, organized by the China Film Administration and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, commenced on Monday at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The festival’s grand opening ceremony was graced by dignitaries from both China and Nigeria.

Notable attendees at the opening ceremony included H.E. Hu Heping, Executive Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism; Ms. YAN Yuqing, Consul General of China in Lagos; Mr. Mao Yu, Executive Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Films, the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture; Ms. Hajia Zainab Ali-Biu, Leader of the Delegation from the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy in Nigeria; Mr. Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President; and representatives from the Lagos State Government.

The opening festivities were highlighted by captivating cultural performances by the Huaxing Art Troupe Nigeria, setting the stage for a memorable event.

Actress Ms. Zhu Hongxing’s live performance, known for her role in the acclaimed film “White Snake,” left the audience awestruck and provided a glimpse into the enchantment of Chinese cinema.

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Following speeches, the opening film “Cloudy Mountain” was screened, evoking applause and emotions from the audience.

The film depicts the valor and sacrifices of a railway engineering corps in the face of geological disasters, embodying the principle of prioritizing lives in Chinese rescue efforts.

The China Film Festival will showcase eleven diverse Chinese films spanning various genres including action, animation, opera, and documentaries.

These films mirror the vibrancy of Chinese culture, societal developments, and traditions.

Notable selections include the action film “Ride On” starring Jackie Chan, the animated film “I am what I am” highlighting traditional Chinese folklore, the Cantonese opera film “White Snake,” and the documentary “Beijing 2022” documenting the success of the Winter Olympics held in Beijing.

Yan Yuqing, in her remarks, emphasized the festival’s goal of fostering global civilization and cultural exchange, while Mao Yu expressed confidence in the continuous growth and impact of the Chinese film industry, envisioning film festivals as a new platform to deepen China-Nigeria film exchanges and cooperation, contributing to the global film market and enhancing the China-Africa community of shared future.