Pioneering communication

Director and producer Yang Chao, also a guest speaker, said he considers documentaries his source of spiritual treasures, where he can be close to nature and life. He notices that documentaries are at the forefront of the development of video art. "We have seen a large number of documentaries, especially those in international film festival competitions, that often use a lot of film techniques like storytelling, conceptual art, and installation art," he said.

For documentaries, documenting images and using plots are like a bird's two wings, said Zhang Tongdao, head of the documentary center of Beijing Normal University. He said he believes that documentaries are born to cross time, space and culture. "By presenting unique cultural aesthetics and true experiences, documentaries can become a tool for international dialogues and exchanges," Zhang said.

Situ Zhaodun, known as "the father of Chinese documentaries", said online at the forum that he found documentaries could help society to progress. With mobile phones in our hands, Situ said he encourages people to record and create documentaries to change our life and promote the progress of our times.