Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival kicked off on Friday at Phoenix Island in Sanya, Hainan province, accompanied by the melodious voices of Hainanese singer, Su Yunying and young actor Niu Junfeng. The event opened with a Hainan folk song Long Time No See, Long Time To See, showcasing the island's warm hospitality.

A total of 14 feature films, eight documentaries, and 10 short films were unveiled at the festival's opening ceremony, with actors such as He Hongshan, Zhang Huiwen, Guo Jinglin, Geng Le, Liu Haocun and Sun Yi among those present. Clips from 32 films competing for the Golden Coconut Awards were screened.

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As new films made their debut and old classics were reviewed, all eyes were on a special guest, Marie-Helene, Reine BELLET-BASTIAS we.LEHERISSEY, the great-granddaughter of Georges Melies, is renowned as the visionary behind cinematic fantasy. Georges Melies is best remembered for his work, A Trip to the Moon (1902), which featured the iconic image of a rocket lodged in the eye of the moon, a symbol recognized globally, transcending the boundaries of film aficionados, to reach even those unfamiliar with its origin.

Holding a framed image of the Moon's far side captured by the Chang'e 6 lunar probe, Marie-Hélène was moved, reflecting on the Méliès family's cinematic legacy. The Chang'e 6 lunar probe was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province in May.

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I grew up by the sea and have a deep connection to the ocean. I really like it here in Hainan," said French director Luc Besson upon taking the stage. The opening ceremony also saw the jury panel of the Golden Coconut Awards, featuring 13 renowned film industry professionals including Luc Besson, Paolo Carnera, Xu Fan, Wang Jingchun and Zhang Yi, from both domestic and international backgrounds.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Actress and director Sophie Marceau emphasized at the opening ceremony the close link between film and a country's indigenous cultural history, expressing her hope for more talented young Chinese directors and actors to shine on the international stage. She also underscored the importance of events like the Hainan Island International Film Festival in strengthening the bonds of friendship between China and France.

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Global celebrities shine on the red carpet and attend the opening ceremony of the sixth Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, Hainan province on Dec 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]