BUDAPEST, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 Image Asia Chinese Film Week opened on the evening of the 11th in Budapest, capital of Hungary, with Dear You screened as the opening film for its Hungarian premiere.

Gong Tao, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, stated in his opening address that since its launch, Image Asia Chinese Film Week has consistently brought outstanding Chinese films to Hungarian audiences and played an active role in boosting the development of bilateral film and television exchanges. He expressed hopes for more pragmatic cooperation between the two sides in film screening, creative exchanges and talent training, to continuously enrich the content and forms of China-Hungary people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Horváth Levente, President of the Hungary-China Youth Friendship Association, said that China’s film industry is producing a growing number of high-caliber works. These works feature distinct Chinese characteristics while carrying universal human narratives.

Cserkesz Gábor, Vice President of the Hungary-China Friendship Association, remarked that the deep and enduring partnership between Hungary and China is built not merely on economic cooperation, but more importantly on bridges of ideas and culture. He noted that the Chinese Film Week offers audiences a precious opportunity to see, approach and understand China through Chinese cinematic art.

According to Várady Viktória, founder of Image Asia Chinese Film Week, this year’s event is jointly supported by the National Film Administration of China, the Chinese Embassy in Hungary and the China Film Archive. Running from the 11th to the 18th, it will screen Chinese films including Dear You, Journey to the West and A Mongolian Tale in Budapest and Szeged, Hungary.