Garhwal Post Bureau
NEW DELHI, 30 Oct: A historic milestone was established today in the national capital to elevate the bilateral and cultural relations between India and China through the powerful mediums of cinema, theatre, and art. The two-day “1st Delhi International Film Festival Chinese Film Festival 2026″ commenced with a grand opening ceremony this morning at the Films Division Auditorium (FDA), Mahadev Road. The festival is organized in special collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF), and the National School of Drama (NSD)—an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
The grand celebrations commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp ceremony, led by the Chief Guest, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Wang Xinming, alongside Dr Zhang Hailin and their esteemed delegation. Marking this monumental occasion, the official Festival Catalogue was grandly unveiled. Furthermore, as a tribute to this new chapter in India-China cultural relations, the first official trophy of the festival was presented to Minister Counsellor Wang Xinming.
The official trophy and medals of the festival had previously been unveiled during a grand curtain-raiser at the Press Club of India. While the event was originally scheduled to take place on the National School of Drama campus, it was relocated to the Films Division Auditorium due to NSD’s demanding academic schedule. Over 10 exceptional films from China and India are being screened here under a smooth No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B Ministry).
Dignified Presence of Global Diplomats and Eminent Personalities:
Reflecting the high-level bilateral and diplomatic significance of the event, Xu Feihong, the Ambassador of China to India, graced the ceremony as a special guest. The event witnessed attendance from senior diplomats, embassy officials from various nations, and distinguished academic and artistic luminaries, prominently including: Wang Xinming – Minister Counsellor, Embassy of China (Keynote Speaker); Henry Nelson Larrea Torres – Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Ecuador; Ivan Ramenev – Acting Director, Russian House; Dr Zhang Hailin – First Secretary, Embassy of China; Dr Rakesh Kumar – Associate Professor & Chairperson, Centre for Chinese Studies, JNU; Gagan Kokri – Renowned Punjabi Singer & Chairman, Punjab Football Association; Ramkishore Parcha – Founder President & Festival Director, DIFF; Dr Ram Bali – Assistant Professor, National School of Drama (NSD); Professor JP – National School of Drama (NSD); Arvind Gaur – Eminent Theatre Director & Jury Head, Chinese Film Festival; Guan Wenwu – First Secretary, Embassy of China; Li Qinyan – Third Secretary, Embassy of China; and Gao Feng – Third Secretary, Embassy of China.
In a landmark moment for the country’s cultural history, this is the first time the National School of Drama (NSD) has officially entered into an association with a film festival. Enriching the opening day, a specialized Music & Acting Masterclass was conducted by NSD’s Dr Ram Bali and Professor JP. Around 50 cinema students, theatre artists, and art enthusiasts from Delhi and neighbouring states participated in this unique workshop to absorb the nuances of acting, music, and stagecraft. Alongside the workshop, the grand Book Launch of ‘Cinema Ka Canvas Aur Samaj’ (The Canvas of Cinema and Society), authored by the well-known writer Sanjeev Bhartiya, added a deep literary essence to the cinematic celebration.
Addressing the inaugural session as the keynote speaker, the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Wang Xinming, highlighted the shared vision of the Indian and Chinese film industries. He stated, “Cinema is a highly influential and vibrant medium that directly connects the hearts of people across two great civilizations, transcending all geographical barriers. Both India and China possess incredibly deep cultural roots. Through this film festival, Indian audiences will get a close look into Chinese society, its history, art, and human emotions. This exchange will pave the way for deeper mutual understanding, trust, and a lasting bond of friendship between our two nations.”
Prior to this, Dr Zhang Hailin, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, shared his thoughts: “This film festival stands as a testament to our deep cultural ties. Through the impactful medium of cinema, we can bridge cultural gaps, enhance mutual understanding, and foster enduring friendships between the people of India and China.”
Arvind Gaur, the Jury Head of the festival and a prominent theatre director, remarked on the curation process: “Watching Chinese cinema, understanding its ethos, and selecting the final lineup for this festival in India has been an incredibly challenging task. However, despite the hurdles, bringing Chinese cinema to India and making it accessible to our audiences is a massive, historic achievement.”
Expressing his immense joy at this milestone, Ramkishore Parcha, Founder President and Festival Director of DIFF, said, “Collaborating with the National School of Drama and the Chinese Embassy for this inaugural Chinese Film Festival adds a spectacular new chapter to our 15-year cinematic journey. This will unlock fresh avenues for co-productions and artistic exchange between filmmakers from both nations.”
Dr Ram Bali, Assistant Professor at NSD, offered his perspective on this historic alliance: “This is the first time in our nation’s history that the National School of Drama has become a co-organizer of a film festival. This unique endeavor creates a sturdy bridge between theatre, traditional arts, and cinema. I am deeply honored to serve as the Chief Coordinator of this historic and immensely successful event. Bringing this rare synthesis of art and cinema to fruition has been an enriching experience with far-reaching potential.”
