A monthlong movie festival dedicated to films about western China opened in Hong Kong on Monday. Seven films offer a glimpse into society and folk culture in the region.

A grand opening ceremony was held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Admiralty. High-profile guests were present, including Yang Jian, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Ma Fung-kwok, chairman of the Film Development Council; and Ng See-yuan, president of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers.

The films, free to the public, will be showing at three major venues - Hong Kong Film Archive Theatre, Hong Kong Space Museum Lecture Hall and Hong Kong Design Institute Lecture Hall - until Aug 31.