From March 21 to 22, a high-level Colombian film delegation led by Ambassador to China and veteran filmmaker Sergio Cabrera visited Hengdian World Studios. The delegation included senior representatives from the Colombian Audiovisual Directors Guild , national television networks, and the country’s trade, investment, and tourism agencies. Over two days of on-site exploration, they gained first-hand insight into China’s film and television industry ecosystem, building a practical bridge for future collaboration between China and Latin America.
During their visit, the delegation toured major filming locations and production facilities, including Huaxia Cultural Park,Qingming Promenade, Qin Emperor's Palace,and Qingmangguo Studios etc. From historical sets to modern production spaces, and from filming infrastructure to film-tourism integration, the visit offered a comprehensive view of Hengdian’s full industry chain. As the world’s largest film and television production complex, Hengdian left a strong impression on its Latin American guests with its scale, vitality, and operational depth.
Teresa Saldarriaga García, President of the Colombian Audiovisual Directors Guild (DASC), who has worked extensively with Hollywood, offered perhaps the most direct assessment:“Hengdian is Hengdian. It doesn’t need to be labeled as the ‘Hollywood of the East.’”She admitted that prior to the visit, she had no real sense of Hengdian’s scale. Seeing it in person, she was struck by its sheer magnitude. More importantly, she highlighted that Hengdian is not an isolated filming site, but a living, integrated ecosystem—where production, set design, costume, extras, post-production, and tourism are all interconnected. It possesses a distinct identity rooted in both industry sophistication and cultural depth.
On the topic of AI, she added:“Artificial intelligence is a fundamental tool, not an enemy—but it shouldn’t be treated as the answer to everything.”For her, the core of filmmaking will always remain human creativity. Hengdian’s dual strength—embracing technological innovation while preserving physical sets—positions it uniquely among global production hubs and offers new possibilities for international collaboration.
Carlos Forero, Executive Producer at Hiper Next Media and content producer for Canal 13, shared a similar sense of surprise. While he had heard that Hengdian is the largest film production base in the world, he admitted that this understanding had remained abstract—“something you acknowledge, but don’t fully grasp.”That perception changed entirely upon arrival.The scale of the sets, the density of productions, and the level of industrial coordination exceeded even his expectations of Hollywood.“Everything happening here feels extraordinary,” he said. “It’s not just a filming base—it’s a window into the development of Asia’s audiovisual industry.”From set construction to production workflows, every detail compelled him to capture and document the experience.“You instinctively want to take photos of everything—to preserve what you’re seeing.”
Behind this exchange is Hengdian’s “overseas brand ambassadors,” Mary Lynn and Marta Cámara, founders of Dalynn Studio in Shanghai. Visiting Hengdian multiple times each year, they have been instrumental in bringing international film professionals to the site since formalizing their partnership with Hengdian’s Global Development Divison.They have witnessed Hengdian’s rapid transformation firsthand—new technologies, new studios, and an expanding global outlook.“Many international filmmakers simply don’t realize how advanced China’s production capabilities have become,” Mary Lynn said. “Hengdian is an indispensable part of the global film industry supply chain.”For them, this Colombian delegation visit was more than an industry tour—it was a moment of cultural exchange. Their mission is to bridge information gaps, facilitate two-way content flow between China and Latin America, and help more “Hengdian-made” productions reach global audiences.
From China to Latin America, from local production to global expression, Hengdian is helping to redefine what is possible—where stories transcend language, and partnerships move beyond borders.In a rapidly transforming global audiovisual landscape, this “eastern studio” is no longer just a place—it is becoming a shared destination for filmmakers around the world to explore, collaborate, and create together.