Promotion video of "Reel Africa Film Series and Salon Event"

On September 4th, the "Reel Africa Film Series and Salon Event" made its Xi'an stop at Xi'an Jiaotong University. This event showcased the colorful stories of Africa to Chinese youth with diverse films, opening a new chapter in cultural exchange between China and Africa. And activities alike are increasingly becoming an important platform for dialogue and exchange among filmmakers from China and around the world, including Africa.

For a long time, Xi'an Jiaotong University has placed great importance on international cooperation and exchange. In 2015, the university initiated the establishment of the "Silk Road University Alliance," which has attracted over 154 universities from 38 countries and regions to join.

On-site scene of "Reel Africa Film Series and Salon Event"

On-site scene of a dialogue exchange session

During a dialogue exchange session, four directors and producers from different African countries, along with Professor Yang Lin from the School of Journalism and New Media at Xi'an Jiaotong University, engaged in discussions about Chinese and African films.

Fidelis Duker, the founder of the Abuja International Film Festival in Nigeria and a renowned director, mentioned that film is a high-quality platform for understanding different people and cultures. He hopes that through this screening event, he can gain further insight into what kind of African films Chinese audiences are looking forward to, in order to promote communication and mutual learning better.

Ahmed Salum Saidi, director of the Tanzanian film Kijiji Changu, believes that film is an excellent medium for reflecting and expressing issues in the real world. Films can resonate with and comfort people facing common challenges around the globe, thereby promoting the enhancement of rights. The commonality of films lies in the portrayal of everyday life, but films from each country should also showcase the uniqueness of local culture.

Whannou Noukpo Tadagbe Christian, the director and producer of the Beninese film Un destin rattrapé, stated that his movie showcases a true Africa and a true Benin.

At the end of the event, over 140 students from Xi'an Jiaotong University gathered to watch the Ethiopian film Min Alesh.