01
Wanning Special Event
Great-granddaughter of Georges Méliès
Surprise Appearance
On December 5, the 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) Open-Air Screenings and Wanning "Mutual Learning through Cinema" event were grandly held at the Shimei Bay National Tourist Resort in Wanning. The event integrated diverse elements such as film, culture and tourism, and natural landscapes, bringing a uniquely charming cultural feast to the audience and further promoting the deep integrated development of film culture and local tourism.
A Sino-French film cultural exchange event was specially held in the afternoon, inviting several guests from the film industry to participate. Marie-Hélène, Reine BELLET-BASTIAS we.LEHERISSEY, the great-granddaughter of Georges Méliès, delivered a keynote speech titled "Bringing Century-Old Classics Back to Light"; Nathalie BOYER, French actress, director, head of the French Society for the Administration of Artists' and Musicians' Rights (ADAMI), and President of the Artists' Foundation, delivered a keynote speech titled "A Cinematic Journey from Cannes to Hainan"; young directors Zhu Xinyi and Chen Yucong also delivered keynote speeches respectively, followed by an interactive exchange. During the event, a book lounge with tea breaks was also set up, providing a space for guests to communicate and rest.
This event included multiple exciting sections. The "Surging Waves on Screen · Film Feast" section will feature carefully selected acclaimed domestic and international films and classics, creating an ultimate experience of "beach + ocean waves + cinema" at the Shimei Bay National Tourist Resort, allowing the audience to experience the charm of the art of cinema while enjoying the beautiful seascape. From 19:00 every evening from December 5 to December 8, outstanding domestic and international films such as Mutual Affinity, SNOW LEOPARD and Her Friends, Not So Close Friends, Bordeaux Prisoners, and The Confusion of Pink Flamingos will be screened sequentially. Audiences can go to the venue for free to experience the romantic atmosphere of beach open-air cinema.
In addition, there is the "Ctrip Takes You to Tour Wanning" section. All tourists and citizens can exchange coupons and limited-time discounts at participating stores by presenting the "Ctrip App Film Festival Promotion Page" or "Film Festival Related Credentials", and also have the chance to participate in a lucky draw for free gifts. This section will partner with the culture and tourism departments and tourism-related enterprises to boost cultural and tourism consumption, build local tourism brands, and promote tourism economic development.
02
Festival Acclaimed Films
Exciting Continuation
As the 6th HIIFF enters its second day, the enthusiasm for screenings and discussions continues to climb. Today, a total of 21 films from different countries and regions made their appearances one after another across various festival sections, bringing a rich and diverse visual and intellectual feast to the audience.
First are five films from the "Premiere" section: Afternoons of Solitude depicts a day in the life of bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey during a bullfighting competition, winning this year's Golden Shell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival for its vivid documentation; In Front of Your Face is directed by the highly anticipated South Korean director Hong Sangsoo and stars Kim Minhee, successfully earning the latter the Best Performance Award at this year's Locarno International Film Festival; Ernest Cole traces the turbulent life of South African master photographer Ernest Cole; Family Romance, LLC reveals how domestic violence tears apart families and human nature; and To Live Again stars French national treasure actress Catherine Deneuve, telling various stories that occur after a female singer suddenly dies while traveling in Japan.
The "Ends of the Earth" section brings together a series of films that transcend geography, culture, and genre, showcasing the innovative vitality of the contemporary global film industry. Today, five films from this section were screened: Their Children After Them, Blue Life, Snail Recollections, The Last Travel, and The Village at the Edge of Paradise. Relying on their unique perspectives and narratives, they took the audience on journeys of thought and emotion. After the screenings, many audience members expressed that they were moved by the delicate emotions and profound meanings conveyed in the films. At the same time, three films from the "Asian Horizon" section were also screened: Spring Walk, In the Belly of a Tiger, and Elegy. This section primarily focuses on the innovative potential of contemporary Asian cinema. The three films screened today are directed by emerging filmmakers from various Asian regions, telling local stories from local perspectives, which can resonate more deeply with Asian audiences.
Films from Omnes Films, spotlighted in the "Filmmaker in Focus" section, also officially premiered today. The screened films The Missing Chapter and Sleepless Night are respectively from two female directors who recently joined the group, Lorena Alvarado and Alexandra Simpson. Tomorrow will welcome works from the group's core members, Taylor Taormina and Jonathan Davies, with relevant key creators present for post-screening sharing. Film fans are welcome to actively participate in the exchange.
In addition, four sub-sections of the "Island-wide Carnival": "Midnight Journey", "Women's Chapter", "Soundwave Era", and "Shore Stories", jointly presented a rich and diverse cinematic landscape. The "Midnight Journey" section brought a tense and thrilling viewing experience to the audience with the suspense film Who Is That Child?, and the gripping plot and unexpected ending left the audience wanting more. The "Women's Chapter" section profoundly showcased the resilience and struggles of women in a complex social environment through the film Black Box Diaries, sparking heated discussions among the audience on women's issues. The film Almost Home from the "Soundwave Era" section struck moving melodies, while the "Shore Stories" section showcased the diversity of human emotions through two distinctly styled films: You Are the Universe and The Break-up Party.
03
Open-Air Screenings · Animation Special
Classics Continue
The "Open-Air Screening" animation special continued yesterday's popularity, bringing Light Chaser Animation's second installment of the "White Snake" series, White Snake 2: Green Snake, to the Summer Station. As a brand-new interpretation of a classic tale, the film builds upon Eastern mythology while focusing on the profound sisterly bond between the Green Snake and the White Snake from a fresh perspective. With groundbreaking visual effects, it adds a new highlight to domestic animation. Meanwhile, the special setup of this open-air screening created a novel and engaging viewing atmosphere for the audience, who expressed their acclaim after the screening. As more outstanding films are showcased, the atmosphere of HIIFF is thriving, bringing more surprises and touching moments to film fans. Both online and offline, you are welcome to stay tuned.
04
Film Fans' Charity Run
On the afternoon of December 5, the Film Fans' Charity Run of the 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) kicked off with great enthusiasm. The on-site atmosphere was fully ignited, with colorful flags dancing in the wind and large event posters catching the eye. The staff thoughtfully presented exclusive commemorative gifts to the participants: sports T-shirts printed with festival elements, exquisite badges, and practical water bottles, showing great sincerity.
The participants were full of enthusiasm, including energetic students gathering in small groups and eager to start, as well as veteran film fans with professional gear and determined looks. There were also families joining in together, hand in hand, creating a heartwarming scene.
This edition of HIIFF partnered with the Sanya Social Welfare Institute, fully leveraging the festival's high popularity and influence to convey the concept of charity to the public. Online topics surged in popularity, and offline caring enterprises responded one after another, fully propelling Hainan's charitable endeavors to stride forward.
