The 2025 Russian Film Festival has launched a cinematic journey across three Chinese cities, bringing eight contemporary Russian films to audiences in Beijing, Xining, and Lanzhou. Running from September 1 to 12, the event marks a vibrant cultural exchange between the two nations.
Organizers highlighted the festival's role in strengthening people-to-people ties, with screenings featuring diverse genres from drama to documentary. “This platform allows Chinese audiences to experience Russia’s evolving storytelling traditions firsthand,” said festival coordinator Irina Petrova during the Beijing opening ceremony.
The festival itinerary includes post-screening discussions with filmmakers and cultural experts, particularly appealing to academics studying Eurasian cultural dynamics. For business professionals, the event underscores growing soft power collaborations between Russian and Chinese creative industries.
Residents of western China’s Xining and Lanzhou – cities along historic trade routes – will access the films from September 5 onward, offering regional audiences rare exposure to international cinema. Travel enthusiasts note the festival aligns with China’s cultural tourism initiatives, potentially boosting visitor interest in these destinations.
