Hainan intl film festival returns with record entries and 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' premiere

Organizers announced the schedule of the Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) during a Nov. 25 press conference in Haikou, Hainan province. The event, co-hosted by China Media Group and the Hainan provincial government, will bring together global filmmakers, critics, and audiences under this year's theme "From Oceans, To the Infinite."

A poster for the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival. [Image courtesy of HIIFF Organizing Committee]

The festival's major draw will be the Dec. 8 China premiere of "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the latest installment of Cameron's blockbuster franchise. Cameron will lead his creative team to Sanya for the red carpet event and also host a masterclass during the festival. The film opens in Chinese theaters on Dec. 19. 

Another key event is the Golden Coconut Awards, the festival's core competition. It recognizes excellence in three categories: feature films, documentaries, and short films. This year's submissions reached a record 4,564 entries from 119 countries and regions, including 788 feature films, 403 documentaries, and 3,373 shorts. An international jury of 13 film professionals, led by veteran festival curator Marco Müller, will decide the winners of 10 awards, including best film and best documentary.

A special poster for China premiere of "Avatar: Fire and Ash" during the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival. [Image courtesy of HIIFF Organizing Committee]

As the final major film festival of the year, HIIFF will showcase more than 100 high-quality titles from prestigious circuits such as Cannes, Venice, Locarno, Toronto, and Busan. Screenings began in November and will continue through the New Year's Day holiday, spanning competition, non-competition, and open-air sections across the island. In addition to screenings, the festival will include five professional forums, a film industry investment conference, and a venture capital initiative known as the HIIFF Project. The main forum will mark 130 years of world cinema and 120 years of Chinese cinema, releasing a 2025 report on China's film economy and promoting filming sites across Hainan's Free Trade Port.

To mark the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2025, HIIFF will launch a Thai film theme series, featuring an exhibition on Thailand's film and television achievements and several special screenings. From Dec. 5 to 9, an AI film section will debut, including technology salons, AI-generated film showcases, and international collaborations. Outside the screening rooms, the Golden Coconut Carnival will turn the festival into a citywide celebration with cultural and tourism events designed for both industry professionals and the public.

Jurors for the feature film competition of the Golden Coconut Awards. [Image courtesy of HIIFF Organizing Committee]

Adhering to principles of internationalization, market orientation, and integration with Hainan's free trade policies, the festival positions itself as a bridge for global film exchange. Organizers said the goal is to foster collaboration among filmmakers, expand China's role in world cinema, and engage audiences with diverse stories and innovative technology. French actor Juliette Binoche will serve as festival ambassador, while actor and model Lin Chi-ling will act as screening ambassador.

Organizers introduce arrangements of the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival, at a press conference in Haikou, Hainan province, Nov. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]