For the fifth consecutive year, the China Film Pavilion appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, which marks its 79th edition from May 12 through 23. Under the guidance of the China Film Administration, China Film Co-Production Corporation set up the China Film Pavilion at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
“China Film Pavilion’s participation at the Cannes Film Festival aims to present the vibrant vitality of Chinese cinema to the world through more diverse approaches and facilitate deeper integration between Chinese filmmakers and global industry resources,” a CFCC spokesperson says.
This year, the pavilion brought together 70 Chinese film companies and institutions, including China Film Group Corporation, CMC Pictures, Bona Film Group, China Film Archive, Shanghai International Film Festival and others. More than 180 domestic films such as “Pegasus 3,” “Blades of the Guardians,” “Scare Out,” “Per Aspera ad Astra,” “Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector” and “It’s OK” were showcased here, garnering widespread attention from the industry.
Like each previous year, a rolling promotional video, showcasing the achievements of China’s film industry, played on the large screen at the pavilion and captivated many attendees. In 2025, the Chinese film market generated a box office of $7.45 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 21.95%. The total admission in urban cinemas nationwide was 1.238 billion, marking a year-over-year growth of 22.57%. The number of screens in urban cinemas increased by 2,219 throughout the year, bringing the total to 93,187 and securing the top spot worldwide. As of May 5, the 2026 Chinese film box office has reached $1.98 billion, accounting for about a fifth of the global market.
The market’s robust performance has drawn even greater attention to the China Film Pavilion from overseas counterparts. At the booth, there was a significant increase in the number of foreigners who paid attention to China’s films compared to last year. Numerous international buyers showed keen interest in the overseas distribution rights of the showcased Chinese films, and many international filmmakers visited the booth for inquiries and negotiation arrangements.
To further promote the Chinese film market and domestic films and enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film professionals, the pavilion hosted various activities.
On May 13, CFCC hosted an event called China’s New Film Trends Mixer at the booth (PALAIS-1 18.04) and presented the latest achievements and industry trends of Chinese cinema, alongside new film projects and open networking sessions. The gathering enabled direct dialogue between Chinese and foreign filmmakers to align needs and forge cooperation intentions. It connects international producers, distributors, festival programmers and tech representatives with domestic film institutions, including exhibitors and sales agents, to advance Sino-foreign collaboration across content, technology and market sectors.
That same day, CFCC also organized market screenings of three Chinese films: “Shanghai Wonton,” “A Story About Fire” and “It’s OK.” “Shanghai Wonton,” which grossed over $4.38 million in China and outperformed other family films with similar production budgets, follows the story of a retired Shanghai engineer who looks forward to his son’s weekly homecoming for a bowl of homemade wontons. While arranging blind dates for his son, he unexpectedly embarks on a tender late-life romance.
Shortlisted for three Class-A international film festivals, “A Story About Fire” is the world’s first Xuan paper hand-painted animated feature. Set in a frozen era, the film centers on a young monkey who undertakes a perilous quest to steal fire from a ferocious beast during which he uncovers the hidden truth of his own origins.
“It’s OK” explores mother-daughter relationships and female self-awareness. A young independent woman plans to undergo a crucial gynecological surgery until her mother’s sudden unannounced visit upends her daily life. This forced cohabitation brings long-buried conflicts to the surface and ultimately leads to mutual understanding and reconciliation.
On May 16, in collaboration with École Supérieure de Réalisation Audiovisuelle, CFCC organized a campus screening of “A Story About Fire.” Following the screening, LI Wenyu, the film’s director, shared some of his creative experiences and insights and answered questions from students.
“Chinese animation today has become extremely diverse in its forms of expression,” says LI. “In recent years, China has produced 3D animated features that have attracted worldwide attention. Chinese animated films have continued to appear in the lineups of major international film festivals. These works demonstrate innovative breakthroughs in both technology and art. From visual form to subject matter, Chinese animation is now flourishing in many different directions and has reached a world-class level. Its strong Eastern aesthetic qualities have also drawn considerable attention.”
At Cannes, the pavilion will bolster international film trade, build solid bridges for Sino-foreign film cooperation and exchanges, and strengthen mutual understanding and cultural connectivity across the Chinese and international film sectors. “Moving forward, China Film Pavilion will continue to deepen international exchanges and collaboration, paving the way for domestic film enterprises and Chinese productions to further engage with the global film community,” a CFCC spokesperson says.