Hong Kong deputy minister hails China film festival as cultural bridge
Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hong Kong, spoke at the opening of the 2026 China Mainland Film Festival, highlighting the role of cinema in cultural exchange and the city's unique position as a bridge between China and the world.
The Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 China Mainland Film Festival on 6 October, praising the event as a vital platform for cross-border cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the deputy secretary noted that President Xi Jinping has emphasised the importance of a people-centred approach in the arts, urging creators to root their work in real life and respond to the times. The deputy secretary described film as a powerful medium for telling China's stories, preserving its cultural heritage, and fostering mutual understanding, contributing to the nation's goal of becoming a cultural powerhouse.
The 2026 edition of the festival, themed 'Short Films Set Sail, Feature Films Blossom', showcases the creative journey from initial ideas to fully developed feature films. The deputy secretary said this reflects the innovative spirit of mainland filmmakers, who continue to push boundaries in genre, style, and technique.
The opening film, Lang Lang Shan Little Monster, is based on the viral short The Little Monster's Summer from China Strange Tales. Drawing on the traditional cultural intellectual property of Journey to the West, the film blends classical Chinese aesthetics with contemporary themes of perseverance and aspiration, resonating with younger audiences.
In addition to the opening feature, the festival presents 11 diverse feature films, some paired with original short films, offering audiences insight into the evolution of narrative and creative process. The deputy secretary noted that this year marks the 29th edition of the festival, with the 30th edition coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China in 2027.
The deputy secretary thanked the film's creative team and partner organisations, including the Purple Cloud Cultural Group, the Southern Film Culture Foundation, Silverwood Company Limited, the South China Film Workers' Federation, and the China Film Foundation, for their continued support. The deputy secretary expressed hope for deeper collaboration between mainland and Hong Kong filmmakers in the years ahead.
