The first-ever Golden Panda Awards, a global event to honor outstanding international film and TV works, will be held this September in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The announcement was made at a press conference in Beijing on Aug. 26 by the organizers of the awards.

Organizers of the Golden Panda Awards introduce the event at a press conference held at the Media Center Hotel in Beijing, Aug. 26, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee of the First Golden Panda Awards]

The prestigious event is set to be a cultural celebration that embraces diversity and fosters global cultural exchange. Awards will be presented in four categories: film, TV drama, documentary and animation. Renowned film director Zhang Yimou will serve as the jury president for this year's Golden Panda Awards.

The inaugural edition of the awards will comprise three main events — the Golden Panda Night, Golden Panda International Cultural Forum and Golden Panda Awards Ceremony. In addition, three supporting activities including a panda tour, film screenings and a film exhibition will be held.

Gao Zhongwei, deputy director of the Office of the Organizing Committee of the First Golden Panda Awards and executive deputy director of the Publicity Department of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, explained that the name "Golden Panda" was chosen to symbolize the preciousness and respect associated with gold. He added that the event aims to promote global cultural exchange and wished all guests a bountiful autumn. 

"The giant panda, China's national treasure, is cherished by people all over the world due to its rarity and value, and serves as an excellent ambassador for cultural exchanges," he said.  

Ren Zhonglun, vice chairman of the China Film Association and representative of the preliminary jury, stated that the selection of award winners will primarily be considered from three key aspects: the work's values, aesthetic standards and artistic presentation. From July 1, 2019, to March 31, 2023, the awards received an impressive 7,024 submissions from 104 countries and regions across five continents. Notably, 4,927 submissions came from outside of China, accounting for 70% of the total.

After the preliminary evaluation by the organizing committee, a total of 90 nominated works were selected across four categories: 29 films, 26 TV dramas, 20 documentaries and 15 animations. Notable entries included China's sci-fi film "The Wandering Earth II" and TV dramas "A Lifelong Journey" and "Minning Town," as well as the American movie "Jojo Rabbit," Italian TV drama "My Brilliant Friend" and Japanese TV drama "Hanzawa Naoki II."

The Golden Panda Awards trophy flanked by panda mascots on display at a press conference for the inaugural Golden Panda Awards in Beijing, Aug. 26, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee of the First Golden Panda Awards]

A total of 25 awards will be presented during the event, with the winners to be announced during the ceremony on Sept. 20. The final evaluation by the jury will occur in mid-September in Chengdu. "The Golden Panda Awards are a distinctive and innovative accolade, combining traditional principles of film and television with a global perspective," Ren said. "The establishment of these awards is of profound significance."

The inaugural Golden Panda Awards, organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, will be held in Chengdu from Sept. 19-20. The event will welcome around 600 internationally renowned guests, including Jackie Chan, Lang Lang, Nathan Wang, Malcolm Clarke, Alai and Wang Jinkang, according to Hu Yun, member of the award organizing committee and vice governor of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government. The awards will be held every two years and Sichuan province will be the event's permanent host.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)