China’s film industry rides a summer wave of pandemic-delayed movies but will it last?
- Summer box office results offer a bright spot amid nation’s uneven consumption-led economic recovery, against the backdrop of weaker retail sales and real estate investments
- Rush to release movies in coveted summer season seen reflecting market’s confidence as cinema-goers return
Qin Xiaoyue never imagined seeing her first documentary screened in front of three full houses, but it happened this summer at the bustling FIRST International Film Festival (FIFF) in Xining, Qinghai province.
It was the 33-year-old’s first international film festival, and the director from Jiangsu province took home the award for best documentary.
“There are long lines for every screening at the festival, which is very encouraging to me,” she said. “I can feel the audience’s devotion and interest in Chinese films after three years” of pandemic turmoil.
FIFF cancelled screenings for the public in 2022, allowing only media and industry professionals to attend, as the nation leaned heavily into its restrictive zero-Covid policy.
Unlike the Beijing International Film Festival, which focuses more on commercial films, FIFF aims to nurture the country’s young filmmakers. Some of China’s highest-grossing directors, including Wen Muye and Qi Yukun, won fame at FIFF early in their careers.
