Guangming original film premieres nationwide

The original film “Our Home” (小鸽子的家), rooted in Teochew culture and family traditions, officially premiered in cinemas across China on August 22.

A poster of the film.

It is Guangming District’s first locally produced original film, marking a milestone in the district’s push to integrate film and technology. Since its trailer was released, the film has drawn wide attention both at home and abroad.

On the international stage, the film has already gained acclaim. It won the Best First-Time Director Award at the Palermo Independent International Film Festival in Italy, the Best Asian Director Award at the Moscow Asian Film Festival, and received both a Best Emerging Director Award and a Best Foreign-Language Film nomination at the Sweden International Film Festival.

Jointly produced by Guangming-based enterprises Shenzhen Huaqiang High-Tech Industrial Park Development Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Huameng Film & Television Media Co., Ltd., the film was supervised by Li Yawei, chairman of the Shenzhen Film and Television Association, and directed by Wu Jia, a young filmmaker from Guangming.

Set in 1990s Chaoshan, the story follows a boy named Wu Kai and his racing pigeon, the “Pride of China.” Through this bond, he learns the racing pigeon’s spirit of “never dying, always returning” and ultimately sets it free. With 95% of its dialogue in the Teochew dialect and scenes featuring Lingnan cultural elements such as arcaded houses, ancestral halls, and ceramic craftsmanship, the film explores themes of perseverance, belonging, and cultural heritage.

Rejecting the industry’s reliance on star power, the filmmakers cast local Guangdong actors, focusing instead on strong storytelling and authentic performances. Director Wu said at the Guangming premiere on August 16 that the project was a seven-year journey, inspired by his childhood memories and Chaoshan roots. Actor Liu Yukai, who plays Wu Kai, described the emotional climax of releasing the pigeon as “not acting, but real attachment built over time.”

Beyond being a film, “Our Home” serves as a mirror of Teochew culture, portraying the nostalgia of those working away from home, the expectations of those who stay at home, and the younger generation’s search for cultural roots.

The film also reflects Guangming District’s efforts to build a local film ecosystem. In recent years, the district has launched platforms such as the Huaqiang Science and Technology Eco-Park and the Shenzhen Film & Television Association’s Creative Base, introduced 14 cultural industry policies, and attracted companies across the film production chain. The film marks the first feature nurtured by Huameng under Guangming’s incubation system, completing the cycle from script to international distribution.

“Our Home is not only a cinematic work but also a vivid practice of cultural exchange,” said Chen Zhenwen, head of the Shenzhen Chaoshan Chamber of Commerce. “It preserves and promotes Chaoshan culture while bringing it to the global stage.”