A billboard of the documentary "Hotline Beijing" in Beijing, China, February 14, 2025.

[Photo via VCG]

The documentary "Hotline Beijing" premiered on Monday (September 22) at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Produced by China Central Newsreel and Documentary Film Studio (Group) under China Media Group (CMG), the film spotlights the 12345 public service hotline and how Beijing responds to public complaints, offering a window into China's urban governance experience.

Since its release in February 2025, the documentary has drawn more than 2 million views in China and ranked third on China's documentary box office chart. The production team interviewed 40 organizations and hundreds of staff members, filmed across 120 locations in nine districts of Beijing, and spent 10 months completing the project.

"As we explored how the 60,000 daily calls from residents are answered, we also developed a new understanding of urban governance during our research and filming," said Xu Jieqin, the film's chief director.

The documentary not only tells vivid stories from local communities, but also highlights Beijing's approach to governance, specifically its focus on speed, resilience, proactivity, rule of law, diversity, and digitalization. It underscores the principle of putting people first, while offering valuable grassroots governance experience for other cities worldwide.

Screenings in the United States helped enhance communications between professionals of Chinese and U.S. film industries and fostered greater understanding among overseas Chinese communities. Serving as a cultural bridge, the film shares with global audiences the warmth of society and the wisdom of governance behind Beijing's stories.