Chongqing - The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival concluded Sunday evening in Yongchuan, Chongqing, with a grand closing ceremony honoring cinematic excellence and showcasing vibrant cultural performances. The prestigious “Golden Camellia Awards” recognized standout films and talents from SCO member states, while performances by top singers added an emotional crescendo to the event.
The closing ceremony and awards ceremony of the 2025 SCO Film Festival. (Photo provided by the event organizer)
This year’s Golden Camellia Awards highlighted 20 outstanding films from across the SCO region, showcasing a diverse tapestry of stories and cultures. China’s “Endless Journey” and Russia’s “Air” shared the Best Picture award.
Director Dai Mo of “Endless Journey” expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This award belongs to our entire team. We’re committed to telling Chinese stories to the world through powerful cinema.”
China's "Endless Journey" and Russia's "Air" share the Best Picture award. (Photo provided by the event organizer)
The closing gala brought together a star-studded lineup, including actors Tong Liya, Zheng Kai, Han Geng, Guo Xiaodong, and Cao Jun, who joined audiences in celebrating the festival’s spirit.
Tong Liya, a famous Chinese actress, attends the closing ceremony of the 2025 SCO Film Festival. (Photo provided by the event organizer)
Musical performances enriched the evening: Terry Lin and Bibi Zhou each delivered a heartfelt rendition of classic film theme songs, evoking nostalgia for cinematic milestones. A multinational chorus of six artists performed, underscoring cross-cultural harmony through music.
One of the evening’s highlights was “Chongqing, Staying for You,” a song co-created by singer-songwriter Ren Jian and AI, performed by renowned tenors Zhang Yingxi and Shi Peng. The song expressed deep affection for Chongqing, painting a vivid sonic picture of the city’s night lights, mountain vistas, and urban charm, offering an emotional connection to the city’s character.
"Chongqing, Staying for You", a song co-created by singer-songwriter Ren Jian and AI, performed by renowned tenors Zhang Yingxi and Shi Peng. (Photo provided by the event organizer)
Ren Jian, originally from Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, has lived in Chongqing for 22 years. His inspiration for the song came from his personal journey—falling in love, discovering the city’s layers, and choosing to tell its stories through music. Though not professionally trained, Ren taught himself AI-generated music composition, using technology to build melodies and lyrics that reflect everyday life and personal memories. His goal is to create “musical postcards” that capture the spirit of his second hometown.
Coinciding with the festival, Chongqing introduced a new set of incentives to boost its tech-driven film industry. These policies aim to position the city as a hub for cinematic innovation in western China.
The measures include funding for film companies that establish operations in Chongqing and support for screenplay development, film distribution, and talent cultivation. Subsidies of up to 35 percent will be available for film projects registered anywhere in China for both on-location shooting services and post-production technologies. Local service providers can also receive incentives of up to 35 percent of their income.
Backed by these policies, 23 major industry projects and 19 film productions have already signed agreements, covering areas such as digital production, intelligent imaging, prop storage, and AI-powered media applications.
Industry leaders welcomed the announcement. “These tailored policies give us the confidence to move forward in Chongqing,” said Xu Shenjun, head of a film enterprise. “We’ll be launching a new production here in October,” added Liu Liming, another executive.
Phase II of Yongchuan Sci-Tech Film Studio, the main venue for the festival’s opening ceremony. (Photo/Mei Yao)
The 2025 SCO Film Festival was more than a celebration of cinema—it was a catalyst for international exchange and technological innovation. The festival hosted 11 major events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, film screenings, the industry forum, the tech exhibition, and the “SCO Night” film concert. Together, they offered a compelling glimpse into how film can bridge cultures, drive cooperation, and illuminate shared human stories.
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