Guiyang cinema wins national honor

Guiyang Cross Cinema was selected as Model of Cinema Industry at the Film Culture Carnival, held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on April 15.

Since opening, Cross Cinema has struggled with low attendance due to factors such as its less favorable location. Its highest single-day attendance was only 1,786 visitors, while during off-peak seasons, daily attendance often fell below 200, putting operations under pressure.

Following the release of Nezha 2, attendance surged. Boasting Asia's widest IMAX‑GT screen, Cross Cinema went viral unexpectedly and gained national popularity.

"Early on, our visitors mainly came after seeing online shares by audiences," said Feng Zhipeng, a cinema representative. "Media coverage increased the cinema's recognition among film fans. Since February 14, 2025, tickets for the IMAX‑GT hall have been in extremely short supply — a situation we never anticipated."

Measuring 32.16 meters in width and 18.17 meters in height, the IMAX-GT screen is equipped with a new‑generation 4K laser projection system and a 12.1‑channel surround sound system. With 714 seats and a 120-degree ultra-wide viewing angle covering the entire hall, these superior facilities give it a distinctive competitive edge.

People watch a movie on the IMAX-GT screen. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

The cinema has also found success by transforming into a "film+" comprehensive cultural complex.

The Guizhou products exhibition and sales area on the cinema's first floor offers ethnic handicrafts such as Miao embroidery, silver ornaments, and tea. It showcases the contemporary innovation of traditional crafts and builds a sales platform for handicraft enterprises.

A series of cultural activities have driven a 45 percent month-on-month growth in catering and accommodation consumption in surrounding areas, with the average daily sales of traditional cultural products exceeding 100,000 yuan ($14,631).

Guiyang Cross Cinema is blazing a new path for the integrated development of film, culture, and tourism. By tapping into rich ethnic cultural resources, it allows traditional culture to thrive in the new era.