Core Points - The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival concluded on July 6 in Yongchuan, Chongqing, with Chinese film "The Third Squad" and Russian film "Air Combat" winning the "Golden Camellia Award" for Best Film [1][3] - This film festival is a significant cultural exchange event held in conjunction with the SCO summit, marking its return to China after seven years [1][3] Awards Summary - The festival featured a total of 10 awards, with notable winners including: - Best Actor: Bakhtiyar Khadzhibaev from Kazakhstan's film "Alarm Action" [3] - Best Actress: Lano Shokhieva from Uzbekistan's film "Chasing Spring" [3] - Best Director: Baatar Uulger from Mongolia's film "Father" [3] - Best Screenplay: Kyrgyzstan's film "Border Trade" [3] - Best Editing: Pakistan's film "Termite" [3] - Best Cinematography: Mongolia's film "Golden Horizon" [3] - Best Music: China's film "Bazaar Joy" [3] - Best Art Design: Belarus's film "Black Castle" [3] - Special Jury Awards: Tajikistan's "Seeking Truth," Pakistan's "Nayab," and Iran's "The Last Whale Shark" [3] Event Highlights - The festival was co-hosted by the National Film Administration of China and the Chongqing Municipal Government, themed "Technology Light and Shadow, SCO Style" [3] - Key activities included a film market, film cooperation forum, technology achievements exhibition, SCO Night film-themed concert, and outdoor market, showcasing 28 films from 10 countries [3]

Core Insights - The 20th China Film Huabiao Awards highlights the transformation and confidence of the Chinese film industry, showcasing its breakthroughs in themes, technology, and cultural expression on the global stage [1][2]. Group 1: Thematic Breakthroughs - Award-winning films like "The Journey Home" and "The Volunteer Army: Heroic Charge" combine grand narratives with personal destinies, reflecting a new stage of deep dialogue with audiences [2]. - Realistic films such as "The 20th Article" and "Miracle: Stupid Kid" focus on various aspects of real life, demonstrating filmmakers' strong social responsibility and humanistic care [2]. - The shift from "didactic" to "empathetic" storytelling in mainstream films has gained both critical acclaim and box office success, forming a new mainstream narrative [4]. Group 2: Industrial Development - The Huabiao Awards witness the innovative development of China's film industry, with increased production efficiency through modular approaches and the application of new technologies like virtual filming and AI [5]. - China's film industrial foundation has reached a level capable of producing world-class blockbusters, as exemplified by "The Battle at Lake Changjin" [5]. Group 3: Cultural Confidence - Films inspired by traditional Chinese culture, such as "Nezha: Birth of the Demon Child," have become significant vehicles for telling Chinese stories, achieving remarkable box office success [8]. - The integration of traditional culture with modern storytelling techniques enhances the international appeal of Chinese films, as seen in the global success of "Nezha" and "The First Part of Fengshen" [10].

Core Viewpoint - The 20th China Film Huabiao Awards highlighted the achievements and innovations in the Chinese film industry, showcasing films that reflect contemporary Chinese stories and societal themes [1][2]. Group 1: Highlights of Award-Winning Films - The award-winning films focus on real-life issues, with "The 20th Article" depicting the lives of ordinary people and the role of prosecutors, while "Annual Meeting Cannot Stop!" uses absurd realism to dramatize workplace experiences [2]. - Zhang Yi won the Best Actor award for his role as a principled police officer in "The Third Brigade," emphasizing the importance of storytelling [2]. - The Best Actress award went to Hui Yinghong for her portrayal of a simple elderly woman's love story in "I Love You!", which sparked discussions on love and life [2]. Group 2: Recognition of Diverse Themes - The awards recognized outstanding works in rural, ethnic minority, and children's themes, with "I Am a Mountain" based on the true story of Zhang Guimei, who dedicated her life to educating girls in remote areas [3]. - The director of "I Am a Mountain" expressed that the filmmaking process was a journey of understanding and embodying the spirit of role models [3]. Group 3: Youth and Innovation in Filmmaking - Many young filmmakers have contributed significantly to the industry, with "The Lone Moon" by debut director Zhang Chiyu winning the Outstanding Young Filmmaker Award [4]. - The Huabiao Awards aim to encourage innovative themes, support young talent, and deepen cultural expression, fostering vitality and responsibility in the film industry [4]. Group 4: Technological Advancements in Film Production - The awards ceremony recognized "Nezha: The Devil's Child" for its outstanding performance in the domestic and international markets since the 2025 Spring Festival [5]. - Films like "The Wandering Earth 2" and "Nezha: The Devil's Child" have actively explored advancements in the industrialization of Chinese cinema, utilizing technologies such as 3D printing and laser engraving for efficient and precise production [6]. - The integration of technology in filmmaking is seen as a key driver for the industry's growth, with ongoing efforts to merge culture and technology effectively [6].

Group 1 - The 20th China Film Huabiao Awards were held on April 27, where "The Third Brigade," produced by Wanda Film, won three major awards: Excellent Feature Film, Excellent Male Actor (Zhang Yi), and Excellent Film Music (Peng Fei) [1][4]. - "The Third Brigade" is based on true events, telling the story of a criminal investigation team leader, Cheng Bing, who, after being imprisoned for an accidental death of a suspect during a case, dedicates 12 years to tracking down the fugitive after his release [4][6]. - Wanda Film's Chairman and President, Chen Zhixi, emphasized the film's theme of celebrating the dedication of police officers to enhancing the public's sense of security and happiness, aligning with the company's commitment to creating relatable and heartfelt Chinese films [6]. Group 2 - Wanda Film plans to continue producing films that resonate with the public, with several upcoming releases in 2024, including "Peacekeeping Riot Squad," "Volunteer Army: Life and Death Battle," and "The Twentieth Article," all of which focus on mainstream and realistic themes [6]. - The company has scheduled multiple films for release in 2025, including "Life Opens the Door," "A Cloud Like You," "Wild Forbidden Land," "Cold War 1994," "Strange Tales: Lanruo Temple," "Don't Open That Door," and "Turning Flower Bloom" [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disconnect between promotional activities for films and their actual content, highlighting the ineffectiveness of current marketing strategies that prioritize entertainment over meaningful engagement with the audience [6][20][39]. Group 1: Promotional Activities - The promotional event for the new drama "In the Name of Beauty" featured actors Yao Chen and Jia Jingwen performing a dance unrelated to the show's theme, raising questions about the effectiveness of such marketing strategies [1][6]. - The awkwardness of the performance contrasted sharply with the characters they portray, leading to mixed reactions from the audience, with some finding it amusing while others felt it was forced [2][6]. - This incident is not isolated, as actors have previously expressed discomfort with being required to engage in similar promotional antics that detract from genuine audience interaction [3][4]. Group 2: Marketing Trends - The article identifies a trend where promotional events have devolved into superficial entertainment rather than substantive discussions about the film's content, resulting in a lack of meaningful audience engagement [9][20]. - Various types of promotional chaos are categorized, including forced performances, influencer interactions, and fan meet-and-greets, which often bear little relevance to the films being promoted [10][15][18]. - The commercialization of promotional events has led to a focus on generating viral content for social media rather than fostering authentic conversations about the films [32][33]. Group 3: Audience Engagement - The decline in valuable exchanges during promotional events has been noted, with audiences increasingly disengaged from the content and more focused on entertainment gimmicks [8][21]. - The article emphasizes the importance of returning to meaningful discussions about film content to rekindle audience interest and drive ticket sales [39][40]. - Successful films in recent years have managed to connect their content with broader social issues, demonstrating that engaging narratives can still attract audiences despite the current marketing chaos [34][38].