Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke received an honorary award – the Guest of Honor at the 55th edition of documentary festival Visions du Reel – which had its awarding ceremony on April 15.

Visions du Reel is renowned as one of the world's top international documentary film festivals, and each edition honors an individual who has made remarkable contributions to the field of documentary filmmaking with the Guest of Honor title.

Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke (middle), from Shanxi, receives the Guest of Honor award at the 55th edition of documentary festival Visions du Reel. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

At the awarding ceremony, Jia expressed, "Both individuals and nations have different expressions and facets. I want to reveal the true face of this world through films."

Born in 1970 in North China's Shanxi province, Jia is a leading light in contemporary cinema. His diverse filmography comprises more than 20 short and feature works.

Alongside his work as a director, Jia also contributes to China's film production industry.

In 2017, he and the legendary film historian and festival director Marco Müller founded the Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Film Festival, which aims to promote the work of young Chinese filmmakers.