Under the starlit sky and within the park’s embrace, a grand cinematic feast for all kicked off in Chengdu. On the evening of August 29, Tianfu Art Park buzzed with excitement and energy as the launch and premiere ceremony for the “Let’s Watch Movies Together” screening event of the 2nd Golden Panda Awards took place. As the film “Panda Project” played on the open-air square, audiences gathered together, enjoying a true “rendezvous with light and shadow” in the early autumn breeze.
“It feels amazing to watch a movie together on an open-air square!” shared an international student from Ethiopia studying at Southwest Jiaotong University. For him, this was not only his first time participating in a Golden Panda Awards event but also a deep dive into Chengdu’s cultural atmosphere. “I will bring more friends from my hometown to Chengdu to experience the charm of movies here together.”
During the launch ceremony, Emei Film Group presented 1,000 movie vouchers to volunteer representatives of the 12th World Games and the 2nd Golden Panda Awards in recognition of their hard work. A volunteer from Sichuan Film and Television University expressed excitement: “The blend of film and volunteer spirit at this moment makes me feel incredibly honored. Chengdu hosting both the World Games and the Golden Panda Awards has me looking forward to September even more.”
As a key supporting event of the 2nd Golden Panda Awards, the “Let’s Watch Movies Together” screenings will run from September 1 to September 30, with over 50,000 screenings planned across the province, truly achieving “full coverage in urban and rural areas, bringing light and shadow to all of Sichuan.”
It was announced at the launch that this year’s cinema screenings are carefully curated around five themes: “Future Images · Meet the Golden Panda,” focusing on films submitted for the Golden Panda Awards; “Beautiful Sichuan · Sichuan Power,” showcasing outstanding Sichuan-produced works; “Classic Echoes · Light of Italy,” paying tribute to Italian cinema; “Distant Lights · A Global Lens,” gathering acclaimed works from around the world; and “Light and Shadow Legacy · Silver Screen Treasures,” commemorating 120 years of Chinese cinema by revisiting century-old classics. Screening venues include premium cinemas in 15 cities such as Chengdu, Mianyang, and Zigong, featuring well-known brands like Emei 1958, Pacific, Wanda, and Palace.
Outdoor screenings are a major highlight of this event. Starting September 1, 10 urban landmarks in Chengdu—including the Chengdu Financial City Twin Towers, Kuanzhai Alley, Xinglong Lake, Xicun Courtyard, and Tianfu Art Park—along with 5 universities such as Sichuan University and Southwest Jiaotong University, and over 20,000 public screening points in villages across the province will simultaneously embark on a cinematic journey. Xicun Courtyard will introduce a “night run + open-air cinema” experience, Tixiangsi Water Street will create an “Eastern Aesthetics themed screening,” Dongmen Dock will revive the “Twelve Monthly Markets” culture, and Yibin Hejiangmen will leverage its confluence of three rivers to create a “Yangtze River Eye, Starlight Cinema.” Each screening point deeply integrates local culture, truly bringing movies “into the heart of daily life.”
The “Movie+” series of integrated activities further expands the boundaries of cinema. During the launch, themed routes and details for “Touring Sichuan Through Films,” “Savoring Cuisine Through Films,” and the “Golden Panda Benefit Screening Tour” were also released. Moviegoers can use their ticket stubs to enjoy exclusive discounts at various venues including scenic spots, hotels, and restaurants, achieving “one ticket, multiple benefits.” Additionally, 40 million yuan worth of movie consumption vouchers will be distributed across the province, and the “Century of Light and Shadow” movie poster exhibition will be held simultaneously at the Emei Film Park and Xicun Art Space, truly delivering cultural benefits to the public and boosting consumption.
