Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong (R)and officer of AFI.(Xinhua Photo)

A film festival featuring award-winning Chinese movies including Banquet, Tuya's Marriage and Still Life, was kicked off on Thursday night in the U.S. capital, offering Americans a taste of the contemporary Chinese life and art.

"This film festival will tell you more about China, give you a panoramic view of the landscapes, share with you the life and love of the people there, and show you the oriental art and philosophy," Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong said at the opening ceremony of the festival at American Film Institute (AFI)'s Silver theater.

Zhou said there are vast spaces for cooperation in films between China and the United States and this festival is an important part of that cooperation.

"I believe the festival is just the beginning of our long-term cooperation," he added.

Murry Horwitz, Director of AFI Silver, noted that as the world's third-largest producer of feature films, the size of Chinese movie industry alone warrants attention.

Moreover, "China's influential and celebrated filmmakers and performers have established themselves here," said Horwitz.

"This festival highlights outstanding works of contemporary Chinese cinema including new work and the latest films by recognized masters," he said.

Altogether 8 Chinese films will be shown during the festival between May 3 and 7.

Among them are Tuya's Marriage, which won the Golden Bear at this year's Berlin Film Festival and Still Life, which was recently awarded the Gold Lion at Venice.

The event is co-sponsored by the China State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Chinese Embassy in Washington and the AFI, which is the largest film education institute in the United States.

Editor: Donald