21 Dec 2023
On 17 December, the establishment ceremony for the Suzhou University Film Alliance was held at the Suzhou Cultural and Arts Centre. The alliance, led by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, brings together eight universities in Suzhou. It aims to jointly enhance education in film and digital cultural and creative industries, cultivate more talented professionals in film and creative sectors, and promote the flourishing development of Suzhou’s film industry.
Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Associate Dean of the Academy of Film and Creative Technology and Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, remarked: “The establishment of the alliance marks a new step in the close cooperation of universities in Suzhou in the fields of film and digital cultural and creative industries.”
The Suzhou University Film Alliance is composed of Suzhou University, Suzhou City University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou Vocational University, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou Art and Design Institute, Suzhou Industrial Park Service Outsourcing Vocational College, and Suzhou Economic and Trade Vocational and Technical College. The alliance members will collaborate, share resources and experiences, build communication platforms, and jointly promote the comprehensive development of film education, the film industry, and the cultural and creative industries.
Guests from the Suzhou Municipal Publicity Department, Suzhou Film and Television Artists Association, Suzhou Film Industry Association, Suzhou Industrial Park Film Association, as well as alliance members, representatives of participating universities, and industry representatives from Suzhou’s Xiangcheng Ecological Cultural Tourism Development Group, Zhouzhuang Digital Dream Factory, Youku, and Oryx Group, attended the event.
At the ceremony, Ms Ling Shen, Vice Chairperson of the Jiangsu TV Artists Association, Chairperson of the Suzhou Film and Television Artists Association, and Party Secretary, Chairman, and Director of Suzhou Broadcasting and Television Media Group, extended her warm congratulations on the establishment of the alliance. She stated that this marks a new chapter in the development of film education and the cultural and creative industries in Suzhou.
Ms Shen introduced the public welfare nature and diverse activities of the Film and Television Artists Association, emphasising its commitment to improving the quality of film education and cultivating high-quality film and creative talents. She also encouraged focusing on key projects to foster industry-university-research integration, collaborating with Suzhou’s film industry to create more outstanding film artworks, and telling China’s stories with high-quality creations.
Mr. Liang Zhang, President of the Suzhou Film Industry Association, Assistant General Manager of Suzhou Cultural Investment and Development Group, and General Manager of Suzhou Cultural and Arts Centre, highlighted the supportive role of the film industry in Suzhou’s cultural undertakings.
“Suzhou, with its long history and rich cultural heritage, is showing a good development momentum in the film industry under national policy support,” he said. He noted that animated films and operatic films produced in Suzhou have achieved significant results in domestic film awards.
Mr. Zhang expressed his anticipation for the Suzhou Film University Alliance, believing it will further promote the development of Suzhou’s film sector. He encouraged the young people present to study hard, actively practice, and become outstanding film talents with international perspectives and innovative spirits.
Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai delivered a speech. She stated that the establishment of the Suzhou University Film Alliance is the result of the collaborative efforts of the eight universities. She introduced that the alliance began planning in mid-October this year, engaging in in-depth discussions with universities in Suzhou and holding preparatory meetings to address issues such as improving teaching quality, faculty development, industry-university-research integration, and academic exchange. The alliance has established a cooperative direction for advancing the development of Suzhou’s film and cultural creative industries and aims to gradually evolve into a “community” through industry and sector collaboration.
Additionally, she introduced the MEGA International Creative Media Festival, a large-scale event held annually in May by the School of Film and TV Arts at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. This festival aims to establish an international platform for cultural and film arts exchange. “At MEGA, exhibitions and displays of Suzhou’s intangible cultural heritage have enhanced public understanding of intangible heritage and Jiangnan culture. These activities contribute to the development and prosperity of Suzhou’s film and creative industries. The festival will also invite alliance members to work together to promote the inheritance and innovation of Jiangnan culture and tell Suzhou’s stories well,” Professor Mai said.
The ceremony concluded with a screening segment of the MEGA International Creative Media Festival.
By Wenzhen Li
Edited by Bo Kou
21 Dec 2023