Theme: Together in Light and Shadow, Toward the Future
The 17th China International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) officially launched its dual-city showcase on October 20–21, 2024, with opening ceremonies held simultaneously in Chengdu and Jinan. Beginning October 20, a total of 35 outstanding children's films—including 20 Chinese productions and 15 international titles from countries such as Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Canada, Norway, Japan, Indonesia, and Iran—will be screened in nearly 200 sessions across Beijing, Chengdu, Jinan, and other locations.
Hosted by the China Children's Film Association, China National Children's Center, China Film Foundation, and the Film and Television Program Production Center of the Satellite TV Channel, this year’s festival presents a diverse program. It features both domestic and international films showcased in cinemas, school and community screenings, special events for left-behind children, children in hospitals, and children with disabilities, as well as dubbing workshops, the Children's Film Industry Expo, and the “Five Little” talent selection (Young Dubbing Artists, Young Film Fans/Film Ambassadors, Young Hosts, Young Reporters, and Young Audiences). Opening and closing ceremonies will also take place. As part of China’s initiative to build child-friendly cities and promote regional cultural exchange, Chengdu and Jinan will each host a series of supporting cultural events contributing to this year’s festival.
Prior to the official launch of the festival, the “I Love My Motherland” youth short film program began, calling for 3 to 10 minutes fiction, documentary, and animated films from children and teenagers across China. Selected works—voted by a jury panel—will receive the “Golden Butterfly” Annual Recommendation honor and be announced during the festival’s award ceremony.
The Chengdu opening ceremony was held on October 20 at CRRC Yuan·STAGE. Young film enthusiasts and filmmakers from around the world gathered to witness the launch of the Industry Expo, the Future Film Technology Exhibition, a cinema-themed market, and Chengdu’s “Cultural Tourism + Film” Industrial Heritage Showcase. The “Light and Shadow Alliance: Co-Creating the Future” International Children’s Film Dialogue and Cooperation Alliance was also announced, highlighting the festival’s commitment to both innovation in film development and the well-being of children.
On October 21, the Jinan ceremony took place at the Shandong Provincial Grand Theater. The organizing committee introduced the “New Quality Productivity and Children’s Film Education” forum series, featuring panels such as “Optimizing the Animation Industry for Children,” “AI and the Future of Children’s Films,” and “Children’s Films and Safety Education.” Additional activities included a family co-creation film workshop and the launch of the 2nd Jinan Children's Drama Festival, which featured script readings, a national competition for original plays, and performances such as the special drama Physics Show: Exploring the Science Museum and the magic show The Script of Life.
CICFF is held every two years and celebrates its 17th edition in 2024. This year’s selection showcases the latest achievements in children’s cinema from around the world. Since the success of the 16th CICFF in 2022, the China Children's Film Association has invited international directors and institutions to participate, securing 15 high-quality foreign titles through negotiations at major global children's film festivals. A distinguished panel of seven international and domestic experts—including representatives from the European Children’s Film Association, UNESCO’s International Centre of Films for Children and Young People, the Russian Film Business Forum, Kazakhstan’s Eurasia Film Market, and Germany’s SCHLiNGEL International Film Festival, alongside China’s National First-Class Actress Yue Hong and Director Huang Jianzhong—will announce the nine recommended titles of the year on October 26.
The opening film Dragonkeeper, co-directed by Chinese filmmaker Li Jianping and Spanish director Salvador Simó, was simultaneously screened in Chengdu and Jinan. Throughout the festival, directors and producers of all 35 selected films will engage with audiences through in-person and virtual Q&As during screenings in schools, communities, and cinemas. Fifteen international films will also be offered in “Young Dubbing” versions, providing a unique viewing experience for Chinese children. Filmmakers from Indonesia, Iran, and Russia will attend screenings and forums in both Chengdu and Jinan.
The 2024 CICFF events will be covered by major media outlets across the country. Film fans are encouraged to follow screening schedules and related updates via the official WeChat accounts of the China Children's Film Association, the Jinan Children's Drama Festival, and local cinemas in Chengdu and Jinan.
