HAIKOU /China/, December 4. /TASS/. The screenings of the 6th Hainan International Film Festival (HIFF) began on December 4. The large-scale event, which includes Russian films in it's program, is being held in 20 cinemas in China's southernmost province.

The HIFF "should extend to the whole island," the organizers said. They plan to screen more than 100 films over the course of the week, including outdoor screenings in Haikou, Hainan's capital, as well as in the resort city of Sanya, the city of Wanning known as a popular spot for surfers, and the Lingshui Li Autonomous County, home to beautiful sandy beaches. The festival also launched themed bazaars, events that attract tourists and film buffs. They blend culture with commerce and help popularize lesser-known films.

Workshops and training sessions will be held during the festival, as well as a Golden Coconut Forum dedicated to the development of China's film industry and the promotion of international cooperation in the field of cinematography. There will also be panel discussions on the Hainan Free Trade Port's incentive measures in relevant cultural and entertainment fields. The works of young filmmakers are expected to be a special topic of discussion.

The works competing for the HIFF Golden Coconut Awards include 7 full-length feature films, 6 documentaries and 10 short films (including Russia's "Fence" by director Lev Evlampiev and "Murmur of August" by Daur Ladaria). The festival will be held from December 4 to 10 and has received more than 4,300 film submissions from 117 countries and regions. The event, the main opening ceremony of which will be held on December 6, is organized under the theme "From Oceans, With Visions".

HIFF is recognized as one of the four major film festivals in the People's Republic of China, and will be held for the first time in December 2018. It has hosted world-renowned actors and directors such as Jackie Chan, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp and Nuri Bilge Ceylan. In 2021, the event was canceled due to the pandemic. The fifth Hainan Film Festival was held from December 16 to 22, 2023.