From Screen to Fingertips: 2025 Qatar Chinese Film Festival Opens in Doha

chinese Film Festival

Doha, December 22 - The Qatar Chinese Film Festival officially opened today at the Katara Cultural Village cinema in Doha, Qatar, for a three-day run. Organized by the China Film Administration, undertaken by the China Film Archive, co-organized by House of Wisdom, and supported by China UnionPay, the festival is themed "Light and Shadow Weave, Civilizations Converge." It offers not only a cinematic feast of Chinese films but also creates a series of touchable, participatory "fingertip" experiences, allowing Qatari audiences to fully immerse themselves in the charm of Chinese culture.

The festival features six finely produced recent Chinese films: Detective Chinatown 1900, Decoded, I Am What I Am 2, The Shadow's Edge, Pegasus 2, and One and Only. Detective Chinatown 1900 serves as the opening film, taking audiences on an adventure at the turn of the century. Its witty and humorous detective persona also steps off the screen. A photo board is set up on-site where viewers can place their faces behind a hollowed-out magnifying glass held by the detective panda Hua Hua, transforming into the sought-after "most adorable person" and completing an immersive journey from watching to being part of the story.

Weaving, a special bond connecting Chinese and Qatari civilizations, is the core creative concept of this event. Chinese bamboo weaving boasts a long history, used not only for crafting everyday objects but also carrying the Eastern philosophy of "hollow and jointed, symbolizing humility and integrity." Qatari Sadu weaving, a gem of Bedouin nomadic culture, is renowned for its vibrant colors and precise geometric patterns. Although differing in materials and styles, both reveal the ancient human wisdom of using hands to weave materials, structures, and even meaning. 

On-site, a massive "Light and Shadow Bamboo Weaving Installation Wall" will be a visual focal point. Its design blends the dynamic framework of bamboo weaving with the typical geometric motifs of Sadu. During the day, it presents the structural aesthetics of the two intertwined crafts; when illuminated at night, the interwoven structure casts changing light and shadow on the wall, resembling a silent film and symbolizing the interweaving, dialogue, and co-creation of the two civilizations.

Around this installation, China UnionPay has created multiple interactive experience zones, extending the allure of Chinese culture from the "silver screen" to the audience's "fingertips." In the Bamboo Weaving DIY zone, visitors can create simple woven pieces under staff guidance. In the "Cloud Tour China" interactive zone, they can not only create personalized avatars via touchscreens to virtually "stroll" on the Great Wall in Beijing or "tour" the Shanghai Bund anytime but also generate their own electronic travel souvenir cards. Furthermore, AR postcards themed "Cloud Tour China" extend the digital experience to physical interaction—a simple scan brings famous Chinese cityscapes, cuisine, and intangible cultural heritage to life through vivid, three-dimensional animations. Audiences were delighted with the experience and expressed their intention to share this "portable cultural memory" with friends and family. In the message area, many visitors also handwrote blessings for China-Qatar friendship, their feelings about the event, and their hopes for future travel.

As a crucial Chinese financial infrastructure and an international card scheme with a global footprint, China UnionPay has not only provided strong support for the festival but also serves as a solid bridge connecting culture, trade, and tourism. Currently, the UnionPay card acceptance network extends to 183 countries and regions, covering over 74 million merchants overseas, while more than 200 million UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions outside mainland China. Additionally, China UnionPay has achieved comprehensive acceptance in Qatar. Whether using card payments or NFC payment functions via various mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Huawei Pay, and Xiaomi Pay, visitors can enjoy a convenient payment experience.

This event goes beyond film screenings; it is a profound civilizational dialogue using light and shadow as the medium and weaving as the metaphor. As Qatari audiences' fingers brush against bamboo strips, touch screens, and write blessings on message cards, their connection with Chinese culture transforms from screen and light into tangible touch at their fingertips and warm impressions in their hearts. In the future, China UnionPay will further leverage its global network and service advantages to facilitate deeper cooperation between China and Qatar in culture, commerce, tourism, and other fields, writing a new chapter of win-win collaboration on the modern Silk Road.