Cast and production crew of  Anima: (from left) actor Wang Chuanjun, director Cao Jinling, actress Qi Xi and producer Cao Dayong.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"The Chinese film warmed and touched the hearts of the audience tonight with the depth of its theme and epical nature," says renowned Egyptian film critic Tarek el-Shinnawy, also a member of the festival's higher advisory committee.

"The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful creative elements of the Chinese film, in addition to the performance of actors and the director's ability to maintain depth and heartfelt sentiments throughout the film," Shinnawy points out.

"This is why the CIFF is keen on highlighting the great Chinese cinema whenever possible," the Egyptian critic says.

"The plot is nice and smooth and so is the music. It has a message that the environment is not just a tree; it feels us, we feel it and it influences our lives," says young Egyptian man Motaz Suleiman, one of the audience.

"I like the film. It's full of emotions. I got the message that nature is too beautiful to ruin and pollute, for this leads to pollution of people's souls and sentiments," Inas Helmy, the director of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, says.