On November 8, 2025, the Chengdu premiere of "Changier", China's first public welfare film focusing on AIDS prevention among adolescents, was grandly held at Eying 1958 Cinema. The venue was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was electric. Representatives from relevant departments including education and civil affairs, along with delegates from universities, charitable organizations and caring enterprises, as well as media reporters and social media professionals, gathered together to witness this significant moment as public health issues made their way onto the big screen.

This film was meticulously created over three years, with Zhang Yinjun, President of Beijing Changier Education Foundation, serving as chief planner, and Xiang Kai as producer, screenwriter, and director, leading faculty and students from the School of Performance at Beijing Film Academy. The entire cast and crew worked without pay, motivated by a deep sense of social responsibility, in their commitment to creating a film of profound and lasting impact.

Breaking the Silence: Telling Stories of AIDS Prevention with Compassion

Since the 1980s, AIDS has emerged as a major global public health challenge. "Changier" breaks the long-standing taboo and silence surrounding AIDS-related topics by deeply integrating AIDS prevention education, sexual health education, mental health education, and family education for adolescents. Through its authentic and heartwarming narrative, the film portrays the era's progress from "too frightening to even mention" to scientific prevention and treatment, and the effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

In the film, Ji Jie (played by Li Ningyuan), who lost his mother at a young age, experiences growing tensions with his father Ji Shisan (played by Xiang Neng). The arrival of Shen Kun (played by Zhou Xiaoyi) unveils the truth about his mother Du Chumei's (played by Ai Li) death from AIDS, and how Ji Jie was able to grow up healthy due to mother-to-child transmission prevention technology. To shoulder the family burden and search for his ill son, Ji Shisan disguises himself as an unlicensed taxi driver, working tirelessly until the end of his life; Du Chumei leaves behind handwritten family letters, conveying maternal love across time; her close friend Thirteenth Aunt (played by Ren Mingsong) continues to protect the family; APEPCY volunteer Chunni (played by Wang Chunzi) delivers medicine and warmth, while the university class advisor (played by Wang Jinsong) disseminates scientific knowledge. These ordinary yet resilient individuals have woven together the developmental trajectory of China's youth HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.

Creators Speak Out: Let Love Be the Best "Social Vaccine"

At the premiere, director Xiang Kai explained that Chengdu was chosen to host this event not only because of its status as a major cultural hub in western China with a thriving film and television industry, but also to leverage local distribution and production resources to bring together outstanding talent and social forces, enabling the synergy of culture and public welfare to radiate from Chengdu across the nation.

He emphasized that "Changier" is not merely a film, but rather a practice of "inoculating young people with a 'social vaccine' against AIDS through education". "We hope that through this work, we can bring understanding, respect, and scientific knowledge to every family and into the heart of every child." As a Caring Ambassador of the APEPCY, Xiang Kai candidly shared that the creative process was full of challenges, but his "original aspiration remained unchanged", and he firmly believes that "only love and kindness can illuminate a brighter future".

Gao Shuqun, Honorary President of Beijing Changier Education Foundation, stated that film is the art of light and dreams, possessing a charm that penetrates the soul. "Changier" is not only an artistic masterpiece but also carries profound social responsibility. The film's values are highly aligned with the foundation's mission, and we hope it will inspire broader societal attention to adolescent mental health and AIDS prevention education.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Safeguarding the Healthy Development of Youth

It is reported that to coincide with the theme "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response" for the 38th World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, "Changier" will launch nationwide preview screenings in cinemas on November 14 and will be officially released nationwide on November 28. This Chengdu premiere invited universities, social organizations, enterprises, and media outlets to participate in collaborative screenings aimed at advancing a new framework for AIDS prevention.

Kang Hui, image ambassador for APEPCY, appealed in his closing message: "Ignorance about AIDS persists, discrimination against those infected persists, and challenges in prevention and treatment persist—to change all this, sustained action from society as a whole is still needed."

Previously, "Changier" was honored with the "Light and Shadow Imprint" Recommended Film Award at the Film Carnival of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, and its premiere events in Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, and other cities have all received enthusiastic responses from audiences. Today, this work imbued with love and hope is gradually reaching audiences nationwide, using the power of film to tell China's story of AIDS prevention, honoring every grassroots worker who quietly dedicates themselves to this cause, and illuminating the path forward for young people.

Kanghui Tianquan (Chengdu) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Sichuan Mingliang Laoying Biotechnology Group Co., Ltd. generously supported the premiere event.