"The River Boy" made its debut at the 21st China Changchun Film Festival. On August 23, the opening ceremony of the festival was held in Changchun, where the main creative team of "The River Boy" attended the red carpet event. Director Liu Quanwei, actors Hou Tianlai and Chen Zhihui, and producer-writer Nie Yanjun all made appearances—marking the film's first at a major domestic film festival.

Notably, this highly anticipated film was shot entirely in Dongming County, Heze City, known as the "first county in Shandong through which the Yellow River flows." Principal photography began officially on April 12, 2026, with the crew arriving in Laojuntang Village, Changxingji Township, to begin on-location shooting on April 15. The entire production wrapped up after nearly one month, capturing every scene against the backdrop of Dongming’s unique natural landscapes and rural charm. Drawing on the region’s distinctive Yellow River resources and rustic scenery, the filmmakers preserved the authentic, unspoiled beauty of the riverbank and carefully portrayed the local people’s simple yet profound way of life. The film highlights the unique regional characteristics of Dongming—the so-called "tofu waist" section of the Yellow River—and delves deeply into the rich cultural heritage of the river, combining it with real-life depictions of rural development to tell a powerful story of resilience and personal growth among left-behind youth living along the Yellow River floodplain.

Set against the backdrop of Yellow River culture, "The River Boy" follows children growing courageously under the nurturing influence of their mother river, filling a gap in youth inspirational cinema centered around the Yellow River. Nie Yanjun, the film’s screenwriter and executive producer, said his deep emotional connection to the Yellow River inspired the project—he was born along the ancient course of the river, raised by its winds and sands. Director Liu Quanwei aimed for the film to carry both the warmth of rural authenticity and the depth of contemporary relevance.

Starring accomplished actors Chen Zhihui, Sun Qian, and Hou Tianlai, the film features a standout performance from three seasoned veterans sharing the screen. According to reports, "The River Boy" has completed all of its on-location filming and is scheduled for nationwide theatrical release between late 2026 and early 2027. The production not only fills a void in Chinese cinematic storytelling about youth development along the Yellow River but also leverages the power of film to comprehensively showcase Dongming County’s ecological beauty and achievements in rural development.

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