Guangming District's first locally produced original film, “The Home of Little Pigeon,“ premiered Saturday at Wanda Cinema IMAX in Guangming Wanda Plaza, marking a milestone in the district's push to integrate film and technology.
Jointly produced by local enterprises Shenzhen Huaqiang Hi-Tech Industrial Park and Shenzhen Huameng Film & Media, the film is directed by young Guangming filmmaker Wu Jia, with Li Yawei, chairman of the Shenzhen Film and Television Association, serving as executive producer.
Set in 1990s Chaoshan, the story follows a boy, Wu Kai, and his bond with a racing pigeon named “Pride of China.” Through this friendship, he learns the racing pigeon's spirit of “never dying, always returning,” ultimately choosing to set it free. With 95% of its dialogue in the Chaoshan dialect and scenes rich in Lingnan cultural elements—arcades, ancestral halls, and ceramic craftsmanship—the film highlights themes of family, cultural heritage, and personal growth.
Unlike commercial blockbusters that rely on star power, this film embraces a story-first approach. Its artistry has already earned international acclaim, winning “Best New Director” at the Palermo International Independent Film Festival in Italy, “Best Emerging Director” and a “Best Foreign Language Film” nomination at the Sweden International Film Festival, and “Best Asian Director” at the Moscow Asia Film Festival.
During the premiere, director Wu revealed the seven-year journey to bring the film to life, weaving in childhood memories and Chaoshan roots. “I wanted to tell a story about nurturing children's self-motivation,” he said. Actor Liu Yukai, who plays Wu Kai, recalled the emotional moment of releasing the pigeon: “It wasn't acting—it was real attachment built over time.”
The premiere also underscored the district's growing film industry. In recent years, the district has built platforms such as Huaqiang Science and Technology Eco-Park and Shenzhen Film & Television Association's Creative Base, introduced the “14 Cultural Industry Policies,” and attracted film and media companies across the production chain. “The Home of Little Pigeon“ is the first feature nurtured by Huameng under the Guangming film incubation system, completing the full cycle from script to international distribution.
Industry leaders praised the film's cultural depth. Li Yawei called it “a polished gem of a growth story,” proving small-budget films can achieve a significant impact. Chen Zhenwen, Party secretary of the Shenzhen Chaoshan Chamber of Commerce, lauded its role in preserving and promoting Chaoshan culture worldwide: “This film is not only a cinematic work but a vivid practice of cultural exchange.”
Following the premiere, the production team announced a nationwide roadshow with stops in Guangzhou, Chaozhou, Shantou, Jieyang and Puning. The film will officially be released nationwide on August 22.