China becomes focus of Istanbul film festival

ISTANBUL, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China drew the attention as the focus country on Monday evening as the Rendezvous Istanbul International Film Festival marked its 20th anniversary in the most populous Turkish city.

A selection of 11 newly released Chinese films are being screened during the Chinese films' week, as part of the efforts to boost exchanges and cooperation between China and Turkey on film and television production.

Qian Bo, the Chinese consul general, spoke of growing cooperation and exchanges with Turkey in the field of film and television making in the context of enhancing strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries.

The Chinese films being shown in Istanbul theatres offer a new perspective and open a window into great changes taking place in China over the past decade and the Chinese people's lives, emotions and dreams, said Qian.

Selcuk Yavuzkanat, deputy general director of cinema with Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was hopeful about bilateral cooperation on more key projects in related to filmmaking, as Turkey and China are both advancing fast in this field.

More than 200 guests were present at the event, including directors, producers and screenwriters from Turkey and China as well as representatives from the press.

China Radio International, cohost of the film festival with the Turkish Foundation of Cinema and Audiovisual Culture, was presented on the occasion an Outstanding Contribution Award for its efforts to promote cultural cooperation and exchanges.

During the film festival that runs from Dec. 1 until Dec. 7, a series of panels were held on Chinese and Turkish films and the current situation facing the film industry.

Being screened during the festival are some 50 films from other parts of the world.

Magic Moment, the first film being jointly produced by Turkey and China, was introduced during the festival. Enditem