Author(s)

Siqi Yang

Corresponding Author

Siqi Yang

Abstract

With the increasing globalization of cinema, international film festivals have become a significant platform for cultural exchange, negotiation, and identity construction. This paper explores how East Asian cinema—particularly from China, Japan, and South Korea—uses international film festivals to project, reshape, and negotiate cultural identities on a global stage. Through examining film narratives, festival policies, audience receptions, and cultural diplomacy efforts, this study investigates the mechanisms by which East Asian filmmakers both challenge and comply with global cinematic norms. The analysis reveals a complex interplay between local traditions and global expectations, highlighting film festivals as strategic sites for cultural diplomacy, soft power, and transnational identity negotiation.

Keywords

East Asian Cinema, International Film Festivals, Cultural Communication, Identity Construction, Transnational Cinema, Cultural Diplomacy