China: China launches 2026 summer event promoting intangible cultural heritage via movies.

China launched on Thursday a summer campaign combining film screenings with intangible cultural heritage experiences, aiming to promote traditional Chinese culture via word-of-mouth hit films. The campaign is jointly organized by China Film Administration and the the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. At the launching ceremony held in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, three popular movies -- namely "The Secret Garden by Grand Canal," a documentary film focusing on inheritance and development of Suzhou's intangible cultural heritage, "Dear You," a low-budget film drawing on the history of "qiaopi," letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese in the 19th and 20th centuries, and "Wan Tongshu," a film telling a story about a researcher dedicated to preserving Muqam music of the Uygur ethnic group -- were promoted. The event introduced intangible cultural heritage elements showcased in the movies and launched a series of "film plus" activities, including study tours, special tourism routes, and ticket-stub activities. As part of the event, China Film Archive has launched special screening series in Beijing and Suzhou. More than 10 provinces and regions -- including Liaoning, Hunan, Jilin, Jiangsu and Xinjiang -- will roll out summer activities under the campaign, organizing diverse activities like intangible cultural heritage-themed film screenings, ticket-stub activities, and spin-off products market. Shotlist: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, east China - June 11, 2026: 1. Aerial shots of event in progress; 2. Guest speaking; 3. Various of cultural performance in progress; China - Recent 4. Movie clips of "Dear You"; 5. Various of footage showing intangible cultural heritages; 6. Posters promoting movie "Dear You"; Shantou City, Guangdong Province, south China - Recent 7. Aerial shot of boat on river; 8. Gate of exhibition hall of "qiaopi," letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese in 19th and 20th centuries; Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, east China - June 11, 2026 9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Yifu, director, Shantou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports (starting with shots 4-8): "The film 'Dear You' is very popular. The intangible cultural heritage-related footage in the movie left a deep impression on moviegoers. After the film became a hit, many intangible cultural heritage tourism sites in Shantou welcomed a large number of visitors, as people want to see for themselves the vibrant intangible heritage they saw on screens."; 10. Various of intangible cultural heritage market, visitors; 11. Sign promoting cultural products; 12. Various of intangible cultural heritage products; 13. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yang Fang, deputy director, Publicity Department, Communist Party of China (CPC) Suzhou Municipal Committee (starting with shot 12/partially overlaid with shot 14): "Intangible cultural heritage provides filmmaking with unique aesthetic qualities and profound cultural depth. We will bring these films to schools and communities, and promote them globally, so that more people -- especially young people -- will fall in love with Chinese intangible cultural heritage."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Shantou City, Guangdong Province, south China - Recent 14. Various of residents cooking traditional Chinese food; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, east China - June 11, 2026 15. Various of visitors at intangible cultural heritage market. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]