Sao Paulo (People's Daily) -- On the evening of March 4, a packed house of more than 200 film enthusiasts cheered as China-Shanghai Film Week kicked off in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city.

China-Shanghai Film Week opens in Sao Paulo, Brazil on March 4. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

Decorating the event's venue, Espaço Petrobras de Cinema, were banners with slogans such as "Films as a bridge, friendship endures," "The silver screen connects the world, light and shadow echo shared hearts" and "A warm encounter with Shanghai, the city of cinema."

Zhao Jiaming, head of the publicity department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the China-Shanghai Film Week. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

In his opening remarks, Zhao Jiaming, head of the publicity department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, highlighted the power of film, calling it "an ambassador in a tin box." He noted that China-Brazil film exchanges have grown steadily over the years through platforms such as the Shanghai International Film Festival, the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, and the BRICS Film Festival. Chinese films such as Her Story and Caught by the Tides have screened in Brazil, while Brazilian films including Through Ernesto's Eyes and The Other Side of the Sky have been showcased in Shanghai.

"Shanghai is both China's economic center and the birthplace of Chinese cinema," Zhao said. "This year, we are bringing five outstanding films from Shanghai to Brazilian audiences, offering them a window into the emotions and everyday lives of ordinary Chinese people. We hope this festival will deepen cultural exchanges, expand cooperation, and let the flower of China-Brazil friendship continue blooming."

Yu Peng, consul general of China in Sao Paulo, delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of China-Shanghai Film Week. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

Yu Peng, Consul General of China in Sao Paulo, emphasized that film is both a vital cultural expression and a force for promoting cultural prosperity. "China and Brazil are major cultural nations and important film-producing countries," he said. "In recent years, both nations' film industries have flourished, producing works that enrich domestic cultural life and receive international recognition." Yu noted that the China-Brazil Year of Culture provides a framework for meaningful exchange. Within this framework, the Shanghai Film Week is more than a showcase of cinema, it is an opportunity to bring the peoples of the two countries closer together.

Brazilian film fans pose for photos in front of posters for movies featured at the festival ahead of the opening ceremony. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

Liu Yina, director of the film division of the publicity department of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, told People's Daily that in addition to the Shanghai-produced Her Story serving as the opening film, the festival will feature Nobody, Shanghai Wonton, A Writer's Odyssey II and the 4K-restored classic Ashima, among others. She said these films not only showcase contemporary Chinese cinema but also highlight the creativity and industrial development of Shanghai's film sector.

During the ceremony, the creative teams behind the participating films sent greetings to the audience through short videos. "This segment was very touching," said Luís Paulino, professor with the philosophy and sciences department at Sao Paulo State University. "It allowed audiences to gain an early glimpse of the upcoming films while also feeling the artistic intentions of their creators. Telling contemporary Chinese stories through film helps Brazilian audiences gain a more nuanced understanding of Chinese society and culture," he said.

China-Shanghai Film Week is guided by the China Film Administration and the Consulate General of China in Sao Paulo, hosted by the Shanghai Film Administration and co-organized by the Shanghai Film and Television Technology Society and the Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center. Representatives from the local film industry, overseas Chinese communities, Confucius Institutes, related enterprises, Chinese students in Brazil and media from both China and Brazil attended the opening ceremony, jointly witnessing this cinematic event that highlights cultural exchange between the two countries.