The 2018 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival (GZDOC) began on Dec 11 at the Guangzhou Library. 

The opening ceremony was attended by Fan Weiping, deputy director of the National Radio and Television Administration, Fu Hua, head of the Guangdong Provincial Publicity Department and Chen Jianhua, head of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress.

The 2018 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival kicks off in Guangzhou on Dec 11. [Photo/ycwb.com]

At the ceremony, Fan delivered a keynote speech, requesting documentary filmmakers to chronicle the new era and spread stories about China by creating high-quality films, cultivating talent and increasing international exchanges.

At this year's documentary festival, new media has taken the spotlight, with a number of media organizations such as China Media Group, China Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio, as well as internet platforms such as Tencent Video, and Shanghai-based Bilibili, promoting their products and seeking international cooperation opportunities.

German director Pepe Danquart speaks at the festival. [Photo/ycwb.com]