The first China-Ireland International Film Festival successfully held in Dublin

The first China Ireland International Film Festival (CIIFF) Forum and Best Short Film Award ceremony were held at University College Dublin Confucius Institute for Ireland.

The first China Ireland International Film Festival was held in Dublin during 24th to 29th June, 2019 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, enhance cultural exchanges and promote cooperation and development of China-Ireland film industry. The Film Festival was jointly organised by UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland and the Committee of the China Ireland International Film Festival. It was strongly supported by Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland, Publicity Department of Communist Party Committee of Jilin Province China, China Changchun Film Group, Screen Ireland, Culture Ireland etc.. The 6-day festival showcased 22 Chinese and Irish feature films, documentaries, animated films and short films in local cinemas in Ireland.

On 26th June, the first China Ireland International Film Festival Forum and Best Short Film Award ceremony were held at University College Dublin Confucius Institute for Ireland. Professor Wang Liming, Chairperson of CIIFF Committee and Director of UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland, officiated at the opening ceremony of the forum. Chinese national first-class Director Fu Hongxing, General Manager of China Changchun Film Group Li Qinghui, CEO of Screen Ireland James Hicky, First Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Chinese Embassy in Ireland Wang Oujia, Chinese director of UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland Mr. Zhang Wei, and other guests from China-Ireland cultural and film industry attended the event.

During the forum, the guests exchanged views on the development and market advantages of Chinese and Irish film industry. Fu Hongxing, the national first-class Chinese director and former head of the China Film Archive, briefed the participants on the efforts and achievements of film digital restoration in Chinese film industry.

General Manager of China Changchun Film Group Li Qinghui introduced China Changchun Film Group and the history of Chinese film at the seminar.

James Hicky, CEO of Screen Ireland, spoke highly of the success of the festival and hoped to use the platform to make the co-production of Chinese and Irish films happen. Lawrence Lee, representative of Enterprise Ireland, also introduced some of Enterprise Ireland’s policies. He said:" Enterprise Ireland will support the exchange and commercial cooperation between the two countries, and hopes to facilitate commercial cooperation in film industry between the two countries."

The ceremony for the first China Ireland International Film Festival Best Short Film Award drew a perfect conclusion for the forum . Chinese director Li Yanjun's short film Fireworks won the Best Chinese Short Film, while Wiremen, directed by Irish Director Jessyca Paterson, won the award for Best Irish Short Film.