Golden Coconut Main Forum Successfully Held, Exploring New Paths for Innovation and Development in China’s Film Industry

On the morning of December 7, the 6th Hainan Island International Film Festival’s Golden Coconut Main Forum was grandly held in the conference hall of Conifer Resort in Sanya, Hainan Province. Hosted by the Hainan Island International Film Festival Organizing Committee, organized by Sanya Golden Coconut Film Co., Ltd., and co-organized by the Communication University of China (CUC), the forum was moderated by Professor Zhang Shaogang of the Communication University of China. Centered on the theme of “Innovation and Development in China’s Film Industry,” the forum brought together numerous prominent figures from the domestic and international film industries to discuss pathways for advancing content innovation, cross-cultural communication, and expansion into international markets.

Wang Bin, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department, stated in his speech that the film festival upholds its mission of the times under the theme “From Oceans, With Visions,” striving to establish a cultural IP for the Hainan Free Trade Port. He emphasized that the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port presents vast opportunities for international film cooperation and put forward three proposals: leveraging Free Trade Port policies to promote Chinese film culture globally; utilizing Hainan’s resources to encourage “Shoot in Hainan, Tell Hainan Stories”; and capitalizing on Hainan’s strengths to support building China into a strong maritime film nation. Wang also outlined Hainan’s favorable policies, including streamlined cross-border capital flow, visa-free entry and exit, and tax incentives.

Co-production Practices and Prospects

The first half of the forum focused on film co-productions between China and foreign countries. Qian Zhongyuan, the executive producer of Yitong Production, shared his experiences from Wolf Totem to Octopus with Broken Arms, pointing out that the shift in co-production models from “bringing in” to “going out” has enriched the elements in films. He believes that the future of China’s co-production market is promising and that international collaboration will be further strengthened.

Li Jie, President of Alibaba Pictures Group, highlighted the company’s success with imported films, such as The Boy and the Heron and The Pig, the Snake, and the Pigeon, both of which achieved strong box office performance. He noted the diverse viewing preferences of audiences and emphasized the significant role imported films play in China’s film market. Li expressed hope for Hainan to become a leading hub for policies on imported films.

Jiao Hongfen, Chairman of the China Film Producers’ Association, stated that co-productions are a key pathway to high-quality development in filmmaking. He called for a focus on shared narrative structures and emotional expressions under the framework of building a community with a shared future for mankind. He elaborated on three approaches to co-productions: commercial investment, narrative collaboration, and policy guidance, emphasizing the importance of telling co-production stories well.

Producer and supervisor Shan Zuolong outlined a three-step approach for Chinese films to go global: appearing on the stage of leading international film festivals, achieving global commercial releases and overseas distribution, and integrating international elements into co-productions. He specifically mentioned that Resurrection, directed by Bi Gan and starring Yi Yang Qianxi and Shu Qi, although still in production, has already secured a very high global minimum guarantee price for the distribution. In recent days, major international distributors have been approaching with offers, ready to pre-purchase the film. This strongly demonstrates the international market's confidence in this type of Chinese film.

Internationally renowned host Oliver Grange reviewed the history of China-France cooperation, using Inter Cities as an example, and emphasized Hainan’s potential as a filming location. He introduced the investment model of French television stations in the film industry and the role of their association in promoting China-foreign co-productions. Grange expressed hope for enhanced communication and collaboration between Hainan and France.

Shoot in Hainan, Tell Hainan Stories

Mini Program Launch Ceremony

After the first half of the forum, the launch ceremony for the “Shoot in Hainan, Tell Hainan Stories” film production service mini program was held. The mini program, developed by the Publicity Department of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and the Hainan Film Bureau, integrates functions such as policy interpretation, cloud-based location scouting, an actor database, and other film-related resources, providing filmmakers with one-stop services.

Chen Jiyang, Executive Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and Director of the Hainan Film Bureau, and Guo Zhimin, Party Secretary and President of Hainan Daily, as well as Party Secretary and Director of Hainan Broadcasting Group, jointly launched the release ceremony. This initiative is expected to further promote the development of Hainan's film and television industry.

The Film Industry in the Free Trade Port

Discussions on High-Quality Development

The second half of the forum focused on the high-quality development of the film industry in the Free Trade Port. Fu Jin, Director and Producer at Hainan Radio, Film and Television Media Group and Director at Hainan Electric Power Broadcasting Media, introduced the features of the “Shoot in Hainan, Tell Hainan Stories” mini program. It serves as a resource-sharing platform that can enhance location scouting and production efficiency, and promote industry-academia integration. He also outlined future development plans, such as launching an English version of the Hainan Film Production Service Guide, establishing a Hainan Film Service Center, participating in overseas festivals and exhibitions, and launching an international film artist residency program.

Huangfu Yichuan, the president and editor-in-chief of the magazine Contemporary Cinema, emphasized that co-productions require a deep understanding of the cultures on both sides and the identification of their commonalities to build the theme of the story. At the same time, it is essential to reflect the integration of diverse cultures in the narrative through visual presentation and plot design, while striving to balance cultural differences within the film, respecting each culture. He used Life of Pi and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as examples to explain key points of cross-cultural creation.

Hou Guangming, Secretary-General of the National Film Think Tank at the Beijing Film Academy, pointed out that co-productions are a breakthrough point for the development of Chinese cinema, and Hainan should focus its efforts on co-productions and micro-short films. He also mentioned the relationship between building a leading country in filmmaking, education, and culture, emphasizing Hainan’s potential in the cultivation of film and television talent.

Li Qiongxue, General Manager of Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Industry Co., Ltd., introduced the development of the Lingshui Haifeng International Film and Television Base. The base is well-equipped and has already hosted several productions. She also mentioned two government-supported sub-funds that are driving the development of the industry ecosystem through a combination of funds and base resources, contributing to the export of culture.

Zheng Fei, a faculty member in the Film and Television Department at the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, compared the development of the film industries in New Zealand and Hawaii, emphasizing that Hainan should develop long-term plans, strengthen policy support, and integrate resources. He also introduced the Overseas Returnee International Young Directors Short Film Screening event, aiming to promote cultural exchange between Chinese and foreign cinema.

Additionally, attending the event were Sun Baolin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Party Secretary and Director of the Copyright Protection Center of China; Fu Ruoqing, Party Secretary and Chairman of China Film Group Corporation; Yang Yi, Vice President of the Communication University of China; and Zhou Chunhua, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Sanya Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department.

The forum concluded successfully after lively discussions. The speeches of the guests provided many insights into the innovation and development of China’s film industry and injected strong momentum into Hainan’s film industry. With the joint efforts of all parties, it is believed that the Chinese film industry will continue to innovate and develop, and Hainan will become an important hub for international film cooperation, contributing to global film cultural exchange and flourishing. We look forward to continued in-depth exchanges among film industry professionals during the film festival, driving Chinese cinema towards a new chapter of success.