Mapping China: Film - Festivals, Institutions, Academies and Major Companies

International Film Festivals in China

Shanghai International Film Festival（S.I.F.F）

Founded in 1993, the Shanghai International Film Festival was the first A-level Chinese international film festival to be recognised by the International Film Producers Association. It is held in June each year, for a period of nine days. It is aimed at Asian and Chinese-speaking audiences, new talent. Awards are Golden Goblet Award and The Asian New Talent Award.

Beijing International Film Festival

Formerly known as the Beijing International Film Season, the Beijing International Film Festival was founded in 2011. It is aimed at ‘resource sharing and a win-win future’. It began to offer awards and officially set up the main competition unit, the ‘Tiantan Award’, in 2013.

Beijing College Student Film Festival

The Beijing College Student Film Festival was founded in 1993. It is China’s first film festival in spring every year. It is aimed at ‘youthful passion, academic taste, cultural awareness’. It is the most influential Chinese youth film festival.

China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Film Festival

The China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Film Festival was founded in 2003. It is the only national professional platform with a documentary investment, financing and trading function.

The Silk Road International Film Festival

The Silk Road International Film Festival is China’s third international film festival after the Shanghai and Beijing festivals. Its aim is to carry out the national strategic vision of ‘One Belt and One Road’ and promote cultural exchange and cooperation between the countries and cities along the Silk Road. It has been held since 2014. Xi'an and Fuzhou take turns hosting it.

Hangzhou Asian Film Festival (HAFF)

The Hangzhou Asian Film Festival is a youth film festival which aims to foster an international perspective, professionalism, interest in a high-quality selection, and the ability to execute and respect the film experience.

China International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF)

The China International Children’s Film Festival is an international children’s film event held every two years, organized by the China Children’s Film Association. The festival provides Chinese children an opportunity to understand different cultures from all over the world, and helps international children’s film professionals exchange experiences and ideas on film production and education for children. In 2013, the CICFF main competition prize was given to the film Cool Kids Don’t Cry, directed by Dennis Bots, from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)

Founded in 1976, the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is Asia’s oldest international film festival and a pioneer in introducing Hong Kong, Chinese language and Asian cinema and filmmakers to the world. The HKIFF now is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community. The festival is committed to discovering talent, and it is also a major platform to launch films to the Greater China region and Asian market.

Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, Taipei, Taiwan

The Golden Horse Film Awards are contested by Chinese-language submissions from Taiwan, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China (PRC) and elsewhere. It is one of the most prestigious film awards and among the most respected in Chinese-speaking world. The awards ceremony is Taiwan’s equivalent to the Academy Awards. It plays a significant role in helping the movie industry and drawing more people’s attention to Chinese-language movies. Under current regulations, any film made primarily in Chinese is eligible for competition. Since 1996, a liberalization act allows for films from mainland China to enter the Awards. Mainland artists or films have won several times, such as Jiang Wen's In the Heat of the Sun in 1996, Best Actor for Xia Yu in 1996, Joan Chen's Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl in 1999, Best Actress for Qin Hailu in 2001 and Lu Chuan's Kekexili: Mountain Patrol in 2004.

Governmental administration and information organisations of Chinese films

State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of The People’s Republic of China

http://www.sarft.gov.cn/

China Film Archive (China Film Art Research Centre)

http://www.cfa.gov.cn/

China National Film Museum

http://www.cnfm.org.cn/english/main_en.htm

Shanghai Film Museum

http://www.shfilmmuseum.com/

Shanghai Film Archive

http://www.filmarchive.sh.cn/

China Children's Film Association

http://www.cchfa.cn/

Founded on 11th Dec 1984, China Children Film Association (CCFA) is a professional group composed by volunteers who are engaged in the children's films. Supervised by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & Television of P.R.China, CCFA also helps to organize China International Children's Film Festival. Missions: organizing of China International Children's Film Festival (CICFF), international promotion of Chinese children's films, international Cooperation in children's film studies and education.

The major Chinese professional film education institutes