09:55
The first Hainan International Film Festival held in south China's coastal city of Sanya on Dec 11,2018, aiming to offer a different festival experience.
With Chinese movie star Jackie Chan as the promotional ambassador, the festival is attended by nearly 100 actors, actresses, and directors from home and abroad, including Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage from the United States, two-time Cannes winner Isabelle Huppert from France, and Aamir Khan from India.
Tong Daochi, on behalf of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee, Hainan Provincial Government as well as the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and Sanya Municipal Government, made a speech at the opening ceremony in English. He said that, against the background of China embracing a new round of opening-up with top-level design, the film festival is appearing at a critical moment when Hainan is promoting the development of a pilot free trade zone and exploring establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.
The festival runs from Dec. 9 to 16 despite a late opening ceremony on Tuesday night. It features a wide variety of activities, such as opening and closing ceremonies, a competition section, film exhibitions, and forums, according to the organizing committee.
