South African director Darrell Roodt, acclaimed for his Oscar-nominated film "Yesterday," took center stage at the 2025 China-Africa Film Week to champion deeper cinematic ties between Africa and the Chinese mainland. The festival, a growing hub for cross-continental creativity, welcomed filmmakers, producers and industry leaders from both regions.
Roodt painted a picture of future co-productions that blend African storytelling with the technical prowess of the Chinese mainland's studios. He called for joint training programs, shared funding models and festival exchanges that could unlock new markets for voices often underrepresented in global cinema.
Highlighting success stories like recent African documentaries finding audiences on major streaming platforms in Asia, Roodt stressed the power of storytelling to transcend borders. "When we collaborate across cultures, we don't just broaden our reach—we enrich our art," he said.
He wrapped up his keynote by revealing his personal inspiration from the Chinese mainland's film scene, naming one of its classics as his favorite for its "masterful blend of emotion and spectacle." Though he kept the title close to the chest, fans will want to catch the full interview to uncover which film stole his heart.
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Director Darrell Roodt on the future of China-Africa film partnerships
cgtn.com
