The 2015 Xiamen International Documentary Conference and ‘Asian Side of the Doc’ will be held in Xiamen, Fujian province, from March 17 to 20.

The conference will focus on three main features: professionalism, internationalism and marketization. It will provide a three-in-one platform for collecting, spreading and demonstrating documentary productions.

It will include documentary film project proposals, trading, demonstrations, and a series of accessorial activities, including themed forums, master lessons, and workshop tours.

Special activities, including documentary screenings and master classes, will be free to the public in Longshan Cultural Park, Xiamen University, Jimei University and Siming Library.

The conference aims at assembling global resources in documentary filmmaking, inviting those with advanced international advanced ideas and experience, and providing professional networking opportunities.

It also tries to help commendable Chinese documentary films enter the international market and help Xiamen to accelerate its international appeal.

Yves Jeanneau, president of Sunny Side of the Doc, highlighted the two main reasons to choose China as a cooperation partner for Asian Side of the Doc, saying that “China is obviously one country, and one market with huge potential for developing documentary films.”

Jeanneau added that there are many interesting and captivating topics and stories in China with international appeal. He assured that, with joint efforts, “Asian side of the Doc will be the market place which opens the necessary two-way bridge between Asia and Europe.”

Sunny Side of the Doc has been dedicated to building a mature Asian documentary film market and promoting the Asian documentary culture and industry, since it founded Asia Side of the Doc in 2010.

Asia Side of the Doc chose Xiamen to be its host city this year and organizers are confident that it will be a huge success.

By Zhong Yushan from China Daily Fujian Bureau