Building Cultural Resonance Through Light and Shadow — Overseas Producer Li Xiaowei Wins the Golden Angel Award at the China–U.S. Film Festival for Two Consecutive Years

LAPost / Los Angeles (November 8, 2025) — At the awards ceremony of the 21st China–U.S. Film Festival and China–U.S. TV Festival held in Los Angeles, the feature film Forest of the North and the documentary Ice and Snow China were both honored with the Golden Angel Award for International Communication of Chinese Culture. As the overseas producer of both works, young filmmaker Li Xiaowei took the stage on behalf of the production teams to accept the awards and delivered a speech:

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and a great source of motivation for us. We hope that even more outstanding works will participate in this event in the future, allowing richer and more diverse stories to be presented on this international stage.”

Founded in 2005, the Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) has twice been included in the framework of the China–U.S. High-Level People-to-People Exchange Dialogue. The festival aims to recognize outstanding works and creators who have made significant contributions to cultural exchange and film and television communication between China and the United States. Its Golden Angel Award enjoys strong influence within the international film community.

In recent years, Li Xiaowei has been highly active on the international film scene. Last year, he brought Ice and Snow: Affinity to the 20th China–U.S. Film Festival, where it stood out among more than 500 competing entries and won the Golden Angel Award for International Communication of Chinese Culture. With its sincere storytelling and delicate visual language, the film vividly portrayed the natural landscapes and human spirit of northern China, earning unanimous praise from the jury.

Li Xiaowei’s passion for filmmaking began in childhood. Gifted in multiple talents, he frequently appeared on film sets in small roles, with cinematic creation becoming an integral part of his upbringing. As an adult, he pursued his studies in the United States and obtained a master’s degree. During his academic years, he systematically and intensively trained in arts and film-related disciplines. Through diligence and hands-on practice, he built a solid professional foundation and developed deep insights into film production systems across different countries.

As an overseas producer, Li Xiaowei consistently sets his sights on a broader international stage. In his view, themes that transcend culture, time, and geography—those that touch on universal human emotions and existential questions—are the eternal core of cinema.

He believes that “telling Chinese stories well is not only about cultural dissemination, but also about emotional and human resonance.” Guided by this philosophy, his works strive to connect Chinese-themed stories with international audiences through authentic characters and nuanced emotional expression.

It is widely recognized that overseas producers must possess strong foundational skills in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, lighting, and other core disciplines, while also understanding cultural differences, social customs, and audience preferences around the world. Young filmmaker Li Xiaowei exemplifies these qualities, supported by rich experience and a diverse professional background.

The feature film Forest of the North, written by renowned Chinese author Liang Xiaosheng, tells the story of an elderly professor suffering from cancer who, until the very end of his life, never gives up on his students. The film focuses on the essence of education and the theme of legacy. The forest landscapes captured on screen are poetic and vibrant, fully conveying the lyrical beauty of nature.

The documentary Ice and Snow China portrays a moving panorama of the relationship between people and ice and snow across China from five dimensions: inheritance, protection, passion, preparation, and land. It features stories such as the heir to Beijing’s oldest ice-skate shop recounting joys and sorrows across generations, the lively winter fishing tradition at Chagan Lake National Nature Reserve, and explorations into the habitat of spotted seals.

According to sources, Li Xiaowei selected these two films as his key overseas recommendations for 2025 because he was deeply moved by the warmth, love, perseverance, and courage reflected in the works. In Forest of the North, the interactions between the frail elderly professor and the children are filled with compassion and wisdom. He not only imparts knowledge, but also teaches them how to conduct themselves and face life’s challenges. Ice and Snow China, by contrast, presents a different style, using authentic and delicate visual language to highlight the profound cultural roots and vivid stories behind China’s ice and snow traditions.

Li Xiaowei continuously followed and carefully analyzed the unique artistic appeal of both projects. From the early stages of production, he closely coordinated with the producers, tracked the entire filming process, and meticulously planned their international rollout. As a result, audiences are able to appreciate the grandeur of forests, ice, snow, and nature’s wonders, while also sensing the inner emotional journeys and growth of the characters. This seamless integration of visual expression and emotional depth represents the artistic standard sought by internationally oriented films—one that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. As he noted, “These two works possess both cultural depth and artistic impact, with core values that resonate universally. Their awards are truly well deserved.”

Prominent director Li Wenqi, a leading figure of China’s “Guandong School” of film and television, and Qi Binying, Chair of the Jury of the 11th Asia International Film Festival, both spoke highly of Li Xiaowei. They praised his strong potential and forward-looking vision in cross-cultural visual storytelling and international film collaboration.

Currently, Li Xiaowei is preparing several new projects, including Want to Be with You, Hide and Seek, Disturbance, and Placebo Night, in which he serves as screenwriter, producer, director, and cinematographer. These upcoming films will continue to explore themes at the intersection of humanity and culture, further advancing his international creative path of “building bridges with light and shadow, and speaking through culture.”

(Written by: Richard / LAPost)