随着中国政治经济实力的提升，文化软实力的增强成为国家战略的重要组成部分，其中电影作为重要的文化交流形式，在实现中国文化走出去的战略目标中发挥着关键作用。华人观众是中国电影在海外最主要的受众群体，也是中华文化与世界其他文化的桥接点。深入研究中国电影的海外华人观众群体不仅可以更好地满足他们的精神文化需求，凝聚华人共同体力量，更有助于提出以华人为核心的中国电影对外传播提升策略，推动中国文化与世界的交流和对话。本文将研究范围限定于最具市场和文化参考价值的北美地区，采取定性和定量混合的研究路径，使用文献研究法、深度访谈法和问卷调查法等多种方法，以期对中国电影北美华人观众这一构成复杂的群体进行深入、全面的分析。首先，本文以2010-2023年在北美院线上映的中国电影发行及票房数据作为基础，分析了中国电影在北美地区的传播背景。其后，以650份问卷数据和28份访谈语录作为一手经验材料，通过描述性数据和访谈材料的交叉互证，扎根分析和回归分析的综合运用，以及将观影行为嵌入到日常生活中的“深描”，回答了中国电影北美华人受众的观影行为特征、行为动机和行为机制的问题。经研究，本文主要得出了三个基本结论：第一，Z世代观众主体的文化间性自觉。多元文化的成长环境和深度媒介化的数字生存方式，使他们在观影行为中展现出较强的普世价值偏向和文化间性自觉，重视中国的文化价值与其他文化价值的共在、对话和视域融合。第二，边缘路径主导的观影动机模型。在北美华人的观影行为驱动模型中，以外部影响为核心的边缘-认知路径对观影行为的驱动作用最强。在信息高度冗余的媒介环境中，社交舆论、明星符号等非电影文本且无需深度加工的要素更容易攫取到观众的注意力，对观影行为的发生起到了主导作用。第三，多层次弱连接的观影行为驱动机制。驱动因素在观影意愿、选择、认知和接受四个层面与观影行为产生连接，但这种连接可能会随着华人观众在多元文化坐标系中的相对位置变化而被解构。最后，研究从理论层面讨论了海外华人的身份实践和中介作用，从实践层面讨论了以华人为核心的中国电影对外传播提升策略。如何充分体认海外华人群体的身份张力，把握这一群体在文化交流中的重要价值，值得持续研究。

With the rise of China‘s political and economic power, enhancing cultural soft power has become an essential component of national strategy. Among various cultural exchange forms, cinema plays a crucial role in achieving the strategic goal of promoting Chinese culture globally. Chinese diaspora audiences represent the primary overseas viewers of Chinese films and serve as a bridge between Chinese culture and other cultures. A thorough study of the overseas Chinese audience for Chinese films can not only satisfy their spiritual and cultural needs and strengthen the cohesion of the Chinese community but also contribute to formulating strategies to enhance the international communication of Chinese films. By centering these strategies around Chinese audiences, we can promote cultural exchange and dialogue between China and the world.This study focuses on the North American region, which possesses the most significant market and cultural reference value,employing a mixed-methods research approach. Various methods, including literature review, in-depth interviews, and surveys, are utilized to provide a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the complex overseas Chinese audience for Chinese films in North America. Initially, the study examines the distribution and box office data of Chinese films released in North American theaters from 2010 to 2023 to analyze the dissemination background of Chinese films in this region. Subsequently, using 650 questionnaire responses and 28 interview transcripts as primary empirical materials, the study employs a combination of descriptive data and interview materials for cross-validation, grounded theory analysis, regression analysis and a ＂thick description＂ approach that embeds viewing behavior within daily life, the study addresses the viewing behavior characteristics, motivations, and mechanisms of North American Chinese audiences.The study yields three main conclusions: First, Cultural Intersubjectivity Awareness Among Generation Z Audiences. Their upbringing in a multicultural environment and their digital existence in a deeply mediatized world lead them to exhibit a strong preference for universal values and cultural intersubjectivity in their viewing behavior. They value the coexistence, dialogue, and fusion of Chinese cultural values with those of other cultures. Second, a Marginal-Path Dominated Viewing Motivation Model.In the viewing behavior driving model of North American Chinese, the marginal-cognitive path, centered on external influences, has the strongest driving effect. In a media environment with high information redundancy, Elements such as social discourse and celebrity symbols, which are non-film texts and do not require deep processing, more easily capture the audience‘s attention. Third, A Multi-Layered Weak Connection Driving Mechanism for Viewing Behavior.Driving factors connect with viewing behavior at the levels of intention, choice, processing, and reception, but this connection may be deconstructed as the relative position of North American Chinese audiences within a multicultural coordinate system changes.Finally, the study discusses the identity practice and intermediary role of overseas Chinese from a theoretical perspective, and from a practical perspective, discusses strategies to enhance the international cummunication of Chinese films centered around overseas Chinese audiences. Fully understanding the identity tension of the overseas Chinese community and recognizing the significant value of this group in cultural exchange is worthy of continuous research.