The opening ceremony for the China-Ireland International Film Festival took place at Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema on June 24, with the China Changchun Film Week opening on the same day.

The six-day event is being hosted by the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin and the China-Ireland International Film Festival Organizing Committee, with support being provided by organizations such as the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, Jilin publicity department, and Changchun Film Studio.

Attendees at the ceremony included the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong and former Irish prime minister Enda Kenny, as well as representatives from Jilin publicity department and Changchun Film Studio.

During the ceremony, the ambassador said that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ireland, and, over the past four decades, the two countries have worked together and made progress in a number of fields.

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges are key aspects of the Sino-Irish relationship, and it is hoped that the film festival will help promote deeper ties in the future, said the ambassador.

Enda Kenny highlighted China’s long history and rich culture, saying that he hoped Ireland would eventually host its own film festivals in China.

A director from the Jilin delegation addressed the ceremony and noted that this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and it is expected that through the medium of film, more Irish people will learn about China and its culture.

During the event, a total of 22 films from the two countries will be shown, including five from Changchun Film Week.

In addition, a film seminar was held, with more than 30 guests from each country’s film industry participating. A total of 48 hand-drawn film posters from Changchun Film Studio were also presented.

The China-Ireland International Film Festival kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, on June 24. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Guests attend a film seminar during the China-Ireland International Film Festival in Dublin. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Visitors view film posters from China’s Changchun Film Studio during the event. [Photo provided to China Daily]