Platform for global visual stories opens

A new round of a global visual storytelling initiative has been unveiled in Beijing to strengthen cross-cultural dialogue and expand cooperation between Chinese and international creators, as part of broader efforts to project Chinese stories to audiences around the world.

The third edition of the Image Possibilities Coproduction Plan, launched on Thursday, has attracted more than 200 industry professionals, scholars, media representatives and officials from China and abroad.

Held under the theme "China's Development, World's Opportunity", the edition introduces new special units focused on cultural exchange, regional cooperation, technological innovation, global stories of Chinese enterprises and humanitarian initiatives. It will also include international influencer tours in China and provide support for Chinese directors participating in global productions.

Nearly 100 overseas media organizations and about 1,000 domestic institutions have taken part in the plan over the past three years, according to Yu Yingfu, deputy director of the China International Communications Group.

He added, "We will continue to bring together partners from different sectors, deepen cooperation in film and television, and create visual stories that foster understanding and trust."

Andrew White, vice-president of Warner Bros. Discovery, said that Discovery's role is to support Chinese creators, especially younger ones, by helping their powerful, emotional, and vivid stories to be presented in ways that international audiences can understand and connect with more easily.

"It means working together on storytelling language, structure, and context — so that what is deeply local can also become universally meaningful," he added.

According to him, the third edition will, for the first time, involve local key opinion leaders in co-creation with Chinese creators.

Across its first two editions, workshops organized under the plan attracted over 30,000 participants, led by more than 20 directors and industry experts.

As the head of the AI Future Imaging Research Center at Shanghai Vancouver Film School, Odet Abadia Gomez shared her experience in documentary production about the history of the Chinese national anthem, which aligns with the plan's core principle of presenting Chinese stories to global audiences.

"I think documentary is playing a huge part. Right now, the young audiences around the world do love short documentaries because these are true stories about true people in true places. It's a new way of communication with young audiences around the world and it's very useful to show Chinese stories," she said.

Contact the writers at wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn