Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay

Opened in 2017, the Pingyao International Film Festival has quickly become a signature event in the Chinese film landscape. Co-founded by renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke and prominent film festival expert Marco Müller, PYIFF distinguishes itself through its unique coordination between private...

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Main Authors: Qi Wang, Md Azalanshah Md Syed, Sicheng Liu, Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2438486
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author Qi Wang
Md Azalanshah Md Syed
Sicheng Liu
Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim
author_facet Qi Wang
Md Azalanshah Md Syed
Sicheng Liu
Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim
author_sort Qi Wang
collection DOAJ
description Opened in 2017, the Pingyao International Film Festival has quickly become a signature event in the Chinese film landscape. Co-founded by renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke and prominent film festival expert Marco Müller, PYIFF distinguishes itself through its unique coordination between private power and government institutions. This study explores the distinct characteristics of PYIFF compared to other Chinese film festivals, focusing on its impact on the film industry in Shanxi Province. Using qualitative research, case studies, and in-depth interviews, this article comprehensively analyses PYIFF’s programming, audience engagement, and political dynamics. It highlights how the festival navigates the complex interplay between official involvement and independent initiative. By employing strategies such as focusing on non-Western films and using alternative terminology to mitigate political risks and censorship issues, PYIFF has managed to maintain a degree of independence while aligning with national policies. The findings underscore PYIFF’s role in promoting Shanxi’s film industry and cultural atmosphere, despite challenges posed by political constraints. This article contributes to the growing body of literature on Chinese film festivals and cultural diplomacy, offering insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by festivals operating within politically sensitive contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-bcf1e534da744c96b40baff3d3579f0e2025-08-20T01:56:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832024-12-0111110.1080/23311983.2024.2438486Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplayQi Wang0Md Azalanshah Md Syed1Sicheng Liu2Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim3Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Media and Communication Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAcademy of Music, Guizhou University, Guiyang, ChinaDepartment of Media and Communication Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaOpened in 2017, the Pingyao International Film Festival has quickly become a signature event in the Chinese film landscape. Co-founded by renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke and prominent film festival expert Marco Müller, PYIFF distinguishes itself through its unique coordination between private power and government institutions. This study explores the distinct characteristics of PYIFF compared to other Chinese film festivals, focusing on its impact on the film industry in Shanxi Province. Using qualitative research, case studies, and in-depth interviews, this article comprehensively analyses PYIFF’s programming, audience engagement, and political dynamics. It highlights how the festival navigates the complex interplay between official involvement and independent initiative. By employing strategies such as focusing on non-Western films and using alternative terminology to mitigate political risks and censorship issues, PYIFF has managed to maintain a degree of independence while aligning with national policies. The findings underscore PYIFF’s role in promoting Shanxi’s film industry and cultural atmosphere, despite challenges posed by political constraints. This article contributes to the growing body of literature on Chinese film festivals and cultural diplomacy, offering insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by festivals operating within politically sensitive contexts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2438486PYIFFJia Zhangkepolitical influencecensorshipcultural proximityCulture
spellingShingle Qi Wang
Md Azalanshah Md Syed
Sicheng Liu
Muhamad Shamsul Ibrahim
Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
Cogent Arts & Humanities
PYIFF
Jia Zhangke
political influence
censorship
cultural proximity
Culture
title Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
title_full Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
title_fullStr Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
title_full_unstemmed Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
title_short Figuring the Chinese film festivalscape: the Pingyao International Film Festival’s cultural and political interplay
title_sort figuring the chinese film festivalscape the pingyao international film festival s cultural and political interplay
topic PYIFF
Jia Zhangke
political influence
censorship
cultural proximity
Culture
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2438486
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AT sichengliu figuringthechinesefilmfestivalscapethepingyaointernationalfilmfestivalsculturalandpoliticalinterplay
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