Film highlights Shenzhen's aid programs in Xinjiang

A film inspired by Shenzhen's long-term aid programs in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has won praise from filmmakers and industry experts for offering a fresh, human-centered perspective on a familiar theme.

A Palmful of Stars, directed by award-winning filmmaker Ning Jingwu, was the main topic of a seminar held in Beijing on July 3, where creators and experts discussed the film's artistic achievements and social significance.

The film follows the relationship between Yao Siping, a teacher dispatched from Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to Xinjiang, and one of her students. Spanning a decade, the story traces their shared growth as Yao gradually shifts from imparting knowledge to nurturing young minds, while the student evolves from a beneficiary of educational assistance into someone committed to helping others.

Since 2010, Shenzhen has sent 12 groups comprising more than 2,200 professionals, including over 370 teachers, to support the development of Kashgar and the Tashikurgan Tajik autonomous county.

Drawing on extensive interviews with aid workers, the film is rooted in real-life experiences, lending authenticity that resonated with participants at the seminar.

Qin Zhengui, director of the China Film Archive, said the film successfully moves beyond direct policy narratives by focusing on genuine human connections. He praised its nuanced character portrayals and restrained emotional storytelling, adding that each character leaves a lasting impression.

Ning said he was invited by the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality five years ago and became one of the few filmmakers to benefit from the city's talent program. After relocating his studio to Shenzhen, he decided to create a film dedicated to the city.

"We chose to tell the story from a female's perspective and adopted a warm, healing tone instead of beginning with a grand narrative," Ning said. "The protagonist returns to her hometown to witness today's Xinjiang and the achievements of the aid programs. At the same time, the story is told through the eyes of someone who has benefited from those efforts. That was the creative vision behind the film."

Ming Zhenjiang, honorary chairman of the China Film Producers Association, said the film demonstrates how a major theme can be conveyed through intimate storytelling, reflecting the spirit of the times through ordinary people and everyday experiences.