The award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition was held in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Wednesday.
The award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition is held in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Oct. 25, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
More than 50,000 short videos from all over the world were submitted to this year's competition. After three rounds of evaluation by over 20 professional judges in the fields of film and television, international communication, and the internet, more than 90 works received awards, including 36 unit awards, seven individual awards, one jury grand prize, and more than 50 excellent awards.
At the award ceremony, Gao Anming, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said that this strategic collaboration between CICG and Zhengzhou ingeniously melds the brand and platform strengths of the short video competition with the rich cultural legacy of Henan province. He said, this fusion not only presents a panorama view of Henan steeped in history and cultural heritage, but also underscores its dynamism and contemporary resonance. The competition also puts Zhengzhou in a spotlight as a city brimming with cultural allure and expansive developmental prospects, Gao said.
Gao Anming, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a speech at the award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Oct. 25, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Ping Ping, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Henan Provincial Committee and director of the Information Office of the Henan Provincial People's Government, said that Henan is tantamount to the ancestral nexus for the global Chinese diaspora and a birthplace of Chinese civilization.
She said this year's competition has played a pivotal role in bridging understanding, and allowing foreign audiences to delve into the depths of China's millennia-old civilization and experience the profound Chinese culture through Henan.
Foreign audiences could also appreciate the vitality and bright future of Chinese modernization through the event, allowing the world to understand China by exploring Henan, all from a unique international perspective, Ping said.
Ping Ping, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Henan Provincial Committee and director of the Information Office of the Henan Provincial People's Government, delivers a speech at the award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Oct. 25, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
Chen Ming, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhengzhou Municipal Committee and head of the committee's publicity department said he hopes creators from both China and abroad will take the time to explore Zhengzhou, gain a deeper understanding of the city, be inspired to create outstanding works about Zhengzhou, and work together to tell the stories of Zhengzhou's history, culture, high-quality development, and innovative vitality.
Chen Ming, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhengzhou Municipal Committee and head of the committee's publicity department, delivers a speech at the award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition in Zhengzhou, Henan province on Oct. 25, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
The award ceremony featured a special segment for international bloggers to share their journeys in China. During the segment, Japanese filmmaker Takeuchi Ryo spoke on the experience of his first documentary project in Zhengzhou a decade ago. He said that the essence of crafting compelling short videos lies in the trinity of passion, perseverance, and authenticity. He said he firmly believes that these elements are crucial for creating content that resonates with and captivates the audience.
Japanese filmmaker Takeuchi Ryo shares his experience at the award ceremony of the 5th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Oct. 25, 2023. [Photo/CICG]
"My China Story" is a short video project launched by CICG in 2018. Since its inaugural edition in 2019, the "My China Story" International Short Video Competition has been committed to encouraging domestic and international content creators, foreign live streamers and others to create multilingual China-themed short videos from different perspectives, sharing their experiences of visiting the country. Videos that tell creators' stories about China or present cultural exchanges between China and other countries from a third-party perspective are also welcome.
After five years, "My China Story" has become a well-known international communication brand integrating multilingual short video creation, a topic-of-the-year competition, a special topic competition, a new media international communication seminar, and a themed movie screening.
The award ceremony was hosted by CICG and the Information Office of Henan Provincial People's Government, and organized by the Information Office of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government and Xufang International Media under CICG.
