The second Jilin Doc Fest opened on Wednesday in Jilin, northeastern China, drawing documentary filmmakers, broadcasters, scholars and decision makers from across China and overseas to the snowy Songhua riverside city.
Held under the theme "World of Documentaries, Wonders of Jilin," the three-day event focused on documentary creation, academic exchange and industry cooperation, highlighting the growing role of Jilin in nonfiction storytelling.
At the opening ceremony, Cao Lubao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and director of the Publicity Department, said the festival was designed to serve as a professional exchange platform and a public showcase for documentary works.
Cao said that in recent years, Jilin province has placed a strong emphasis on cultural industries, identifying film and television as a key driver of high-quality growth.
(Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
"Documentary filmmaking," he added, "offers a way to connect local stories with global audiences."
This year's festival included screenings, panel discussions and project meetings aimed at connecting creators with broadcasters, investors and production partners. Organizers said the program was designed to encourage collaboration and help develop projects with international potential.
Documentary pitching remained a key feature of the festival. A total of 121 proposals were submitted, with 17 selected for the pitching session. Several projects are expected to receive funding, professional mentoring and production support, with the aim of entering them in international film festivals.
A new highlight this year was the launch of the Excellent Eco-Nature Documentary Awards, echoing growing global concern over climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development. Awarded works focus on ecological protection, environmental governance and the relationship between humans and nature.
The festival also served as a platform for Jilin province's priority documentary themes for 2026, covering history, cultural heritage, ecology and contemporary life. In addition, a large-scale documentary project on artist and politician Wu Dacheng was unveiled to mark the 140th anniversary of his role in safeguarding China's northeastern border.
The festival also included pitching sessions, professional forums, university screenings and international exchanges. Organizers said the festival aims to strengthen long-term cooperation between Chinese filmmakers and the global documentary community.
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