Dive into the Essence of Chinese Art-House Cinema at the "Chinese Film Festival Hamburg"
About Us
The Chinese Film Festival Hamburg (CFFH) originated from the “Riparian: Chinese Independent Film Showcase Hamburg” initiated in 2022 by filmmaker Hanqi Sheng and artist Zhichao Zhu. Originally launched as an experimental screening series for Chinese-language independent films, it quickly evolved into a full-fledged film festival with the strong support of local cultural institutions. By the end of 2022, the non-profit organization Chinesische Medien- und Filmkunst e.V. was officially founded to oversee the operation and continued development of the festival.
The first edition fo CFFH was held from January 8th to 15th, 2023, under the title “CHINESE FILM+ Hamburg Riparian Film Week.” It featured 9 feature films and 3 short film programs, totaling 12 screenings, 2 roundtable discussions, and 1 contemporary media art exhibition. The event attracted audiences, scholars, and creators from diverse backgrounds, receiving acclaim for its focus on artistic and experimental Chinese-language cinema. Notable guests included directors Jiang Hongqing, Tawfiq Nizamidin, Liu Guangli, and Robert Bramkamp, professor of experimental cinema at the HFBK Hamburg, all of whom participated in post-screening discussions.
The second edition of CFFH was held from May 7th to 13th, 2024, further expanding both its programming scope and international influence. We received over 500 submissions from around the world, and carefully selected 35 films for screening, covering narrative features, documentaries, short films, and experimental works. The final jury was composed of Qiu Jiongjiong, Yu Qiong, Canan Turan, and Jens Geiger-Kiran, who provided valuable insights and played a critical role in the selection of award-winning films. During this edition, we were honored to collaborate with the Warburg Institute Hamburg to present a special screening and panel discussion titled “Beijing Bicycle: The Life and Afterlife of a Classic Film.” This event was curated by Yuning Teng, a researcher and curator at the University of Hamburg. It brought together a distinguished group of guests, including Prof. Dr. Uwe Fleckner (Director of the Warburg Institute Hamburg), Prof. Hsiao-Ming Hsu (Dean of the School of Film and Animation Art at China Academy of Art), Prof. Ruby Chen, and Prof. Ingo Offermanns (Vice President of the HFBK Hamburg), for an in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue. In addition, a panel talk titled “How Can We Understand Each Other? Exploring Post-Pandemic Social Realities Through Chinese Moving Image Art” was held, with participation from local curators and scholars in Hamburg. These cross-disciplinary conversations—spanning film, art, and academia—not only enriched the intellectual dimension of the festival but also significantly enhanced its international reach. The event attracted not only local audiences from Hamburg but also cinephiles from across Europe, successfully expanding the festival’s audience base.
The third edition was held from May 7th to 11th, 2025, continuing the “Film Plus” curatorial approach with the theme “Expanding Boundaries,” focusing on the convergence of cinema and contemporary art. A total of 26 Chinese-language films were selected, including 8 mid/feature films and 18 shorts, with 5 world premieres, 2 European premieres, 14 German premieres, and 3 Hamburg premieres. In collaboration with Hamburg-based artist Bettina Freimann, the festival also presented the media art exhibition In Between And Never There at the historic Millerntorwache space, featuring works by Asian artist collectives. Final jurors included Guo Keyu, Zhen Zhang, Helena Wittmann, and Christopher Small. Preliminary rounds involved professionals from China, Germany, Korea, Iran, Mongolia, and Malaysia, who reviewed over 500 entries to ensure curatorial excellence and diversity. Nearly 50% of the selected films were directed by women or focused on women’s narratives, underscoring CFFH’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive storytelling. Numerous filmmakers attended post-screening Q&As, fostering an atmosphere of authentic exchange and vibrant discussion.
For more information, please visit our official website: https://chinesefilmfest.de/ or contact us at: info@chinesefilmfest.de.