The French Film Panorama in China kicked off in Beijing on Monday with the opening ceremony held at the French Embassy in China. Eight recent French feature films and one short film will be presented in 10 cities across China and the event will end on August 31. French Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary said that this year marks the 20th Croisements Festival and he hopes to continue strengthening cultural exchanges between China and France. Renowned Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi serves as the promotional ambassador for the event.  

The opening ceremony of the French Film Panorama in China is held in Beijing on Monday. Eight recent French feature films and one short film will be presented in 10 cities. Photo: Li Hao/GT

The French Ambassador remarked that since the first edition of the French Film Panorama in China in 2004, the event has been an integral part of the "Croisements Festival," actively introducing French cinema to Chinese audiences and fostering cultural exchanges between the two countries.

"It is the 20th year of the French Film Panorama," Lortholary noted, adding that the famous French film The Pot-au-Feu directed by Tran Anh Hung will be screened at the Beijing Broadway Cinematheque as the opening film. The film was nominated for the Best Director Award at the Cannes International Film Festival. "We are delighted to have this opportunity to share French films here," Lortholary said.

Daniela Elstner, managing director of the French Film Union (Unifrance), told the Global Times on Monday that they selected the eight most popular and suitable films for Chinese audiences from a pool of 30 outstanding French films.

"The global film industry faces common challenges amid the post-pandemic era," Elstner added.