SCO Film Festival Makes A Grand Return To China After 7 Years, Set To Kick Off In Chongqing This June

The SCO Film Festival returns to China after seven years, hosted in Chongqing from June 23 to 27, celebrating global and Chinese cinema with 12 awards. After a seven-year break, the SCO Film Festival is set to return to China, with the vibrant city of Chongqing as its host from June 23 to 27. Established in 2001 by China and Russia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is co-organizing the event alongside the National Film Bureau and the Chongqing People’s Government.

This year’s festival will feature a variety of film screenings and competitive sections, celebrating global and Chinese cinema alike. 2025 marks two significant milestones – the 130th anniversary of world cinema and the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, adding extra significance to the event. On Thursday, Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told Global Times, “Film exchanges, particularly co-productions, have played a vital role for all SCO countries, as they share many cultural, historical, and traditional similarities.



" He also cited the Chinese film Xuan Zang, a biographical portrayal of the monk Xuanzang’s journey to India during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), as an example of such meaningful cultural exchange. Sun shared, “Buddhism, a common cultural heritage between China and India, ­constitutes a crucial cultural resource for ­effective communication in bilateral cultural exchange. These shared cultural heritages could provide opportunities for film cooperation between member states like China and India.

" “China is now the world’s second largest film market and Bollywood movies are known to the world for their unique character. There is much more space for us all to expand," said Sun. The festival will honor outstanding cinematic achievements with 12 awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Special Jury Prize.

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