In a vibrant display of growing Sino-African cultural relations, the China Film Festival kicks off tomorrow at Westgate Movies in Harare, bringing captivating Chinese cinema to Zimbabwean audiences. The festival’s headline attraction? Jackie Chan’s latest blockbuster PANDA PLAN, scheduled for a 15:30 screening and immediately followed by Jia Ling’s You Only Live Once.

The one-day event showcases contemporary Chinese filmmaking with free entry available by invitation only, adding an exclusive flair to this cultural exchange. Jackie Chan’s PANDA PLAN, which grossed over 261 million yuan (approximately USD 36.8 million) in its initial Chinese release, represents the action star’s continued global appeal at age 70.

This festival represents more than just entertainment; it’s a strategic soft power initiative as China continues expanding its cultural footprint across Africa. Zimbabwe, with its established tradition of hosting international arts events like the Zimbabwe International Film Festival and the acclaimed Harare International Festival of Arts, provides fertile ground for such cultural cross-pollination.

Released in China on October 1, 2024, PANDA PLAN marks a significant moment in Jackie Chan’s evolving career, blending his signature martial arts choreography with family-friendly comedy elements. The film’s journey from Chinese cinemas to Zimbabwe screens demonstrates the expanding reach of Chinese entertainment exports across the African continent.

Film industry experts note that beyond the glitzy screenings, these events create vital platforms for potential co-productions and technical exchange between Chinese and Zimbabwean filmmakers. The festival has also announced that attendees can expect not just world-class cinema but also opportunities to engage with Chinese language and cultural perspectives.

For Zimbabwe‘s film enthusiasts, tomorrow marks not just a chance to see Jackie Chan and Jia Ling on the big screen, but a window into Chinese storytelling traditions that increasingly influence global cinema, all while strengthening the diplomatic bridges between these two nations through the universal language of film.

Cover image via Cineamo.