SCO Film Festival Returns To China After Seven-Year Hiatus, Set To Kick Off In Chongqing In June

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), established by China and Russia in 2001, co-hosted by National Film Bureau and Chongqing People’s Government, is set to be held from June 23 to 27 in Southwest China's Chongqing. After a seven-year hiatus, the SCO Film Festival makes its return to China, featuring film screenings and competition sections.

The year 2025 will mark the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema.

On Thursday, Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times said, "Film exchanges, especially film co-productions, have played an important role for all SCO countries as they share much similarity in culture, history and tradition."

He also mentioned that he took the Chinese movie Xuan Zang, a biographical film about the monk Xuanzang's journey to India during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), as an example.

#SCOFilmFestival is set to be held in Chongqing on June 23-27.
China is now the world's second largest film market and Indian films have sparked multiple waves of enthusiasm in China.
The two countries could strengthen cooperation in this sector and promote mutual understanding… pic.twitter.com/ZwohQIOf2h

— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) April 27, 2025

Sun shared, "Buddhism, a common cultural heritage between China and India, constitutes a crucial cultural resource for effective communication in bilateral cultural exchange. He added that these shared cultural heritages could provide opportunities for film cooperation between member states like China and India.

"China is now the world's second largest film market and Bollywood movies are known to the world for their unique character. There is much more space for us all to expand," said Sun.

The festival will present 12 awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Special Jury Prize.