On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, the documentary State Organs, directed by Peabody Award winner Yongjin Zhang, premiered at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF). The packed theater was left in stunned silence as the film exposed the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) organ harvesting crimes. Winning Best Documentary and Best Female Producer awards, the film sparked emotional reactions, with many viewers in tears, calling for global action to end these atrocities. Producer Cindy Song noted the awards reflect the world’s hunger for truth.
Film exposes CCP’s organ harvesting
State Organs, a feature-length documentary, follows two overseas Chinese families searching for missing loved ones through over 30 exclusive interviews and victim testimonies. It reveals the CCP’s 26-year persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and its systematic organ harvesting. The film has earned 43 international awards, including Oscar eligibility, Leo Awards for Best Director and Best Musical Score, Silver Remi at WorldFest Houston, Manhattan Film Festival Award, New York International Film Award, Best Director Gold Award (New York), and the Accolade Global Film Competition Humanitarian Award.
Chinese audiences demand justice
Audience reactions were visceral, with many visibly emotional. Jie Chen, from the Canadian Committee of the Chinese Democratic Party, told Vision Times, “I feel an immense weight, shocked by the CCP’s atrocities. These crimes violate humanity’s moral foundations. We condemn this and urge global pressure to ban the CCP from international organ transplant systems. Only dismantling the CCP’s dictatorship can ensure life, freedom, and dignity for Chinese people.” He called organ harvesting the “tip of the iceberg” in the CCP’s suppression, demanding comprehensive sanctions.
Jun Chen said, “The CCP is slaughtering its people. The September 3rd parade’s prosperity is a façade hiding a bloody truth.” She urged overseas Chinese to spread awareness to amplify the voiceless in China. Lei Li from Heilongjiang added, “I never imagined our compatriots could commit such inhumane acts. The 731 Museum documents Japanese crimes, but this is worse. This film must be spread to stop these crimes and dismantle the CCP.” He pledged to share it personally.
Dandan Zhang remarked, “Organ harvesting continues daily. Hospitals are killing fields, with doctors abandoning conscience. In China, our organs don’t belong to us—how can we speak of freedom?” Max Xu told Vision Times, “I kept crying. The CCP has no moral foundation, turning people into monsters. Falun Gong’s 26-year resistance is inspiring. We must awaken others to dismantle the CCP.”
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Xinwei Zhang shared a chilling experience: “Around 2000, I encountered a ‘law hospital’ claiming organs came from executed prisoners. I questioned the volume of ‘prisoners.’ The hospital was rudimentary, yet organs were mysteriously sourced there, with surgeries done elsewhere. The film’s data on transplant surges points to a state-controlled industry targeting Falun Gong and dissidents.” Lan Qiu added, “In China, my husband feared our child’s organs could ‘disappear’ during checkups. We lived in fear.”
Xiaobo Kong called for dismantling the CCP to end state-sponsored organ harvesting, while Xing Zhao said, “Dr. Zheng’s testimony was terrifying. We pursue freedom, yet lack even basic safety. This film must wake people up.” He also cautioned against falling for CCP propaganda.
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Universal outrage
British filmmaker Olayinka Quadri, an executive producer, told Vision Times, “It is a powerful film. It is a stunning film. The cinema was packed, and you couldn’t hear a pin drop. I can’t believe such things are still happening.” On Falun Gong’s persecution, he said, “If you persecute people for their faith, that cannot be acceptable anywhere. Human beings deserve to choose who they worship.” He praised Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance: “If you believe in compassion and truth, what can be wrong with that? They’re holding on, refusing to renounce their belief, even giving up their lives—this is true belief.”
Quadri added, “I came away almost crying for people I’ve never met. We’re all human; it should be okay to practice any religion.” He rejected suppression of these values: “Religion is a choice. Human beings were born with choice. This film may be about China, but as human beings, you will connect to the story.”
Concerning the CCP’s transnational repression, including bomb threats to Taiwan screenings, he said, “That should not happen anywhere. Why persecute people within and beyond your borders? There’s something wrong with international laws.” He urged, “The UN should stop this. Countries must do more, not just for economics but for humanity.”
Quadri praised the filmmakers: “I salute the courage of everyone involved. It’s a brilliant film, and they deserve all the success.”
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A call to action
At the TINFF screening, producer Cindy Song and former military doctor Zhi Zheng, a witness to organ harvesting, spoke. Song said, “This award shows people care about the CCP’s crimes. This 25-year evil must be known—it challenges civilization.”
Concerning the protagonists, she noted, “Dr. Zheng found redemption by sharing the truth. Michelle’s search for her sister reveals state-driven forced disappearances and organ harvesting. In China, police execute without consequence, with victims held in hospital basements—a state machine’s atrocity.”
On CCP threats to Taiwan screenings, Song said, “Over 120 threatening letters targeted Taiwan’s key institutions, showing CCP fear of truth.”
She urged, “We present history, hoping for a safer China. Truth has power to lift veils and bring peace.” Zheng added, “Screenings worldwide are a warning to governments. The CCP’s crimes continue—countries must legislate against organ harvesting. Xi Jinping and Putin’s organ transplant talks at the September 3rd parade prove high-level awareness.”
State Organs, in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, and more, is available to view on Gan Jing World (GJW+).
By Ran Xiao
