The Confucius Institute at the University of Al Azhar Indonesia held a youth microfilm festival here on Saturday to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Indonesia.

The festival showcased tens of microfilms integrating Chinese and Indonesian culture by Indonesian university students.

Luizah F. Saidi, an official of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, said films which can convey information and knowledge easily and directly may become a good platform in promoting mutual understanding of cultures.

Wang Zhixian, a secretary of the cultural section of the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, said at the opening ceremony that the exchange of youth is important for the future development of China-Indonesia relations and encouraged the two sides to intensify cooperation in all aspects.

The one-day festival also featured a microfilm competition which was contested by 26 teams from Indonesian domestic university students and those studying in China.

The microfilms which were taken in Indonesia and China merged Chinese and Indonesian lifestyles and unfolded Indonesian youth's acknowledgment to Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, a film salon was held on the sideline of the festival.

Hundreds of film directors, producers and experts joined and shared their experience on the important role of films in promoting cultural exchanges.

Riyana Istiqoma, a student from Al Azhar said she was fully impressed by the films which explore China in different angles.

She hoped she could have the opportunity to study in China and experience Chinese culture and society more closely.

More than 300 participants consisting of university lecturers and students, Chinese culture lovers as well as film experts attended the festival's opening ceremony.