Chengdu, situated in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is buzzing with excitement as it gears up to host the first Golden Panda Awards. Everywhere you turn, there’s a panda – the city’s beloved mascot – from the streets to shops, all in anticipation of this monumental event.
Designed to be a bridge between cultures, the Golden Panda Awards is not just an awards ceremony. It uses films and TV series, with the universally recognized panda as its cultural emblem, to foster exchanges and mutual appreciation among global civilizations. The overarching mission? Bringing the world closer to China as the country opens its arms to international camaraderie.
Ren Zhonglun, the preliminary jury representative for the awards and vice chairman of the China Film Association, underscored the importance of the event, stating that it seeks to uncover and resonate with universal human emotions. In doing so, it offers a direction for the growth and evolution of the industry.
A unique aspect of the Golden Panda Awards is its emphasis on “the cultural exchange.” Unlike other domestic awards, this initiative puts a spotlight on enhancing the global influence and appreciation of Chinese culture. Organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles in collaboration with the Sichuan Provincial Government, Chengdu is set to be the permanent home for this biennial extravaganza.
For its inaugural year, the committee adopted a blend of public submissions and specific invitations to gather works from every corner of the world. An astounding 7,024 submissions from 104 countries and regions poured in, with foreign entries comprising a significant 70% of the total.
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the China National Academy of Arts, highlighted the rich diversity of the nominated pieces. “From artistic endeavors to commercial hits, from tales of family bonds to futuristic sci-fi narratives – the range is truly impressive,” he noted.
The international jury is equally diverse. Nathan Wang, a US composer and jury member, is eagerly anticipating the event. For him, Chengdu, with its deep-rooted cultural significance, offers the ideal backdrop for such a global gathering. UK’s Chantal Rickards, another jury member for the TV drama category, shares the sentiment, lauding the event’s ability to foster global unity through the timeless art of storytelling.
Ren Zhonglun further reiterated the universality of emotions portrayed in film and television. He believes that the power of art transcends geographical boundaries, allowing audiences worldwide to connect and relate.
The entries for the Golden Panda Awards collectively embrace the themes of truth, beauty, and the intrinsic goodness of humanity. The goal is clear – to leverage the awards as a vehicle of cultural diplomacy, fostering a united global community.
Spanning multiple categories – film, TV series, documentaries, and animation – the awards festivities comprise primary events like the Night of the Golden Panda, the Golden Panda International Cultural Forum, and the Golden Panda Gala. These are complemented by various support activities such as public screenings, exhibitions, and guided visits.
The emblem for the Golden Panda Awards, crafted by the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, is a fusion of the panda and elements of Tai Chi, symbolizing cultural synergy. The statuette, designed by the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, features an endearing panda perched atop bamboo, representing the continuous ascent towards excellence.
All eyes are now on the Golden Panda Gala, where the winners of this pioneering cultural initiative will be announced.
READ MORE: