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.

Audience Award × CathayPlay

The Audience Award will be decided by votes cast by festival attendees, making it the most interactive and audience-driven prize of the festival. After each screening, attendees will be invited to vote for their favorite film. Following a weighted tally of all votes, the film with the highest score will receive this award, representing the audience’s strongest appreciation and emotional resonance.

This year, the festival is proud to partner with CathayPlay, the world’s leading streaming platform for independent Chinese-language cinema, to present the Audience Award × CathayPlay. The winning director will receive a USD 500 cash prize sponsored by CathayPlay, in support of their continued creativity and artistic expression.