Cinema as a Bridge: How the Himalayan Rim Film Exhibition Connected Youth Across Borders

The 2026 (2nd) Himalayan Rim Film Exhibition wrapped up its final campus event on July 25, 2026, at Sathaye College, University of Mumbai, marking the official end of this year’s tour. The exhibition, which traveled through various universities in India and Nepal, combined film screenings, expert-led lectures, Q&A sessions with directors, and cultural workshops. These activities served to build a platform for youth cultural exchange and foster stronger cooperation between regional universities.

Chinese filmmaker Xu Haofeng, director of The Master, joined the exhibition as a special guest. He engaged in post-screening discussions at both Pokhara University in Nepal and the Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), Savitribai Phule Pune University in India, where he discussed his creative approach to kung fu cinema and Eastern aesthetics with faculty and students.

Serving as the tour's final host, Sathaye College organized a two-day program from July 24 to 25, which helped deepen connections between young people from China, India and Nepal. Attendees included event organisers, local education representatives and Indian film professional Abhinav Mehrotra.

During the opening remarks, Dr. Madhav R. Rajwade, Principal of Sathaye College, and Nishith Shah, Dean of the India China Academy, shared their hopes for ongoing youth cooperation between China and India, specifically through the medium of film.

Professor Li Daoxin of Peking University, who acted as a special adviser for the exhibition, presented a keynote lecture titled "China-India Film Cooperation: Current Status, Opportunities and Future Outlook," which was followed by an interactive discussion involving faculty and students.

The Chinese animated feature I Am What I Am 2 was screened on campus on July 24. Prior to the film, co-producer Li Yilin provided insights into the production, detailing the use of motion capture, visual effects and digital technologies, and how these modern tools help express traditional Chinese culture.

On the morning of July 25, students took part in a workshop focused on traditional Chinese knot-making, gaining a hands-on understanding of the craftsmanship and symbolism inherent in Chinese culture. Additionally, film directors Qiu Sheng and Wan Bo gave presentations on AI-assisted filmmaking and image education in the age of artificial intelligence, exploring new possibilities for future cinematic creation with the students.

The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants served as the exhibition's closing film. Before the screening, Professor Fan Zhizhong, Dean of the International Film Development Institute of Zhejiang University, participated via an online session to discuss Chinese wuxia cinema, Eastern aesthetics and youth film education with the audience.

Over the course of the exhibition, audiences were treated to four Chinese films: Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert, The Master, I Am What I Am 2, and The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants. By combining film screenings, academic discussions and cultural events, the program provided participants with a deeper appreciation of Chinese cinema, digital production and traditional culture, while fostering stronger ties among youth from China, India and Nepal.