SIFF EXPLORE｜20 Official Recommendations, 6 Special Recommendations

On June 16th, the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival announced the 20 official recommended films for the SIFF EXPLORE and six works receiving special recommendations from the jury. At the event, renowned directors Chen Cuimei, Dong Yue, Chen Liaoyu, and screenwriter Chen Shu, along with Zhang Shuguang, the Chief Editor of China Mobile Migu Shanghai, engaged in a discussion centered around “Exploring the World Through Ultra-Short Films.” The jury agreed that creating ultra-short films is no easier than making feature-length films, as they require presenting the most unique expressions within a set time frame. While new AI technologies may offer endless possibilities for professional creators, human imagination can never be replaced.

New-Generation Creators Daring with Experiments and Innovation

Since its establishment in 2019, the SIFF EXPLORE has received widespread submissions from video and photography enthusiasts each year. This time, nearly 3,900 submissions were received, with each work, although short in duration and small in scale, embodying the sincere expressions of the creators and showcasing the bold attempts and innovations of the new-generation creators in visual storytelling. After a rigorous process, 20 outstanding works were selected the final selections, among which six received special recommendations from the jury.

The jury of the SIFF EXPLORE unveiled the outstanding works: BEING SISYPHUS FOR ONE SECOND A DAY received the “Exploratory Spirit Honor”. YOUNGMASTER – WIND WILD received the “Best Production Honor”. THE LOST COURIER received the “Best Animation Honor”. OH MY MOM! received the “Best Feature Honor”. THE NAME OF THE PLUM BLOSSOM was recognized as the “Best Director Honor”. THE GREAT CONNECTION was awarded the “Special Recommended Honor from the Jury Members”.

Three other honors were announced at the event: CHINA VOICE AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS received the “Migu Special Attention Honor,” SEE YOU YESTERDAY received the “Migu Best VR Honor”, and JOURNEY OF EXPLORING ANCIENT BOOKS received the “Migu Best Immersive Experience Honor”.

Zhang Shuguang also acknowledged that new technologies bring “infinite possibilities,” stating, “Traditional means of expression are mostly reflections of reality, but the most beautiful things always reside in dreams. New technologies can make these possibilities a reality. If creators make good use of these tools, our professional creations will reach a new level.”

However, director Dong Yue believes that AI technology cannot replace human imagination. He used the recommended works of this year’s SIFF EXPLORE as an example, emphasizing that these creators have their own pursuits and imaginations, with a dedication to exploration and expression through visual language.

This year’s SIFF EXPLORE is supported by its official strategic partners, China Mobile Migu and China Mobile Video Ring Back Tone, as well as from the Shanghai Vancouver Film School, the exclusive educational sponsor, and the Bilibili Film Channel, the official goodwill partner. At the event, China Mobile Migu unveiled a series of blockbuster IP content and activities, including launching the 2023 “Super Four Tournament” and China Mobile Short Video Ecosystem Cooperation Plan, and announcing the highly anticipated Jay Chou’s first global metaverse Concert.

Fully Presenting the Most Unique Aspects Within Limited Time

Conveying a complete story in a short time frame poses challenges for short video creators. Dong Yue, who was nominated for Best Director at the 2019 Golden Rooster Awards for his crime mystery film The Looming Storm, believes that the biggest challenge for short video creators lies in effectively utilizing their existing resources and captivating the audience’s attention in a “concise and vivid” manner within the given time constraints. While feature-length films have various resources to support creators in multiple aspects, short films cannot easily achieve the same level of support. Therefore, creators need to fully leverage their strengths and present their most unique aspects, evoking resonance among viewers.

Compared to feature film production, the narrative aspect and rules of short films are completely different. “When I was a student, assignments for audiovisual language classes involved creating short films, which was extremely valuable from a professional training perspective,” said Chen Shu, the screenwriter of BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES series. “Short films need to have the attributes of a complete work. The challenge lies in how to tell the story and convey emotional viewpoints within a short duration, which means higher requirements for creators.”

Animations dominate the selected works for SIFF EXPLORE this year. Chen Liaoyu, the general director of YAO-CHINESE FOLKTALES explained, “Animation involves more complex technical barriers, acting as a filter that screens out some of the works.” Short video creation is often personalized and requires professional technical training. “In the future, I hope short video imagery can showcase more open, diverse, daring and ground-breaking attempts.”

If text allows people to quickly grasp information, short video imagery instantly immerses people in the scene. According to Zhang Shuguang, the Chief Editor of China Mobile Migu Shanghai, the key to attracting attention through short video content lies in evoking resonance. “There is no difference in artistic expression between short videos and feature-length films. The main distinction lies in the different scenarios in which users consume the output. The mobile phone screen is personal, and its experience transmission is private, that is, one-on-one instead of one-to-many.”

AI Technology Brings Unlimited Possibilities for Creators

Under the influence of technology, the market, and user needs, the forms and expressions of short video imagery are also changing. This year, the emergence of AI technology, such as ChatGpt, has quickly caused shockwaves in the industry. Some industry insiders even predict that within the next two years, a film entirely created by AI is expected.

Director Chui Mui Tan is actively exploring the new technological revolution. She uses popular AI software to design scenes and animate characters, and the final result shows no traces of computer generation. “If actors’ portrait rights are authorized in the future, you can make actors appear in the film with simple instructions. Any scene, shot, or lighting can be accomplished.” Filmmakers don’t need a large budget; they can make movies using this tool. Is this kind of technology really beneficial for creators? In her view, it is a new revolution for the entire industry. “Film art cannot be separated from technological progress. When new technology emerges, creators can focus more on content expression.”

Zhang Shuguang also believes that new technologies bring “infinite possibilities.” “Traditional means of expression are mostly reflections of reality, but the most beautiful things always reside in dreams. New technologies can make these possibilities a reality. If creators make good use of these tools, our professional creations will reach a new level.”

However, director Dong Yue believes that AI technology cannot replace human imagination. He used the recommended works of this year’s SIFF EXPLORE as an example, emphasizing that these creators have their own pursuits and imaginations, with a dedication to exploration and expression through visual language.

This year’s SIFF EXPLORE is supported by its official strategic partners, China Mobile Migu and China Mobile Video Ring Back Tone, as well as from the Shanghai Vancouver Film School, the exclusive educational sponsor, and the Bilibili Film Channel, the official goodwill partner. At the event, China Mobile Migu unveiled a series of blockbuster IP content and activities, including launching the 2023 “Super Four Tournament” and China Mobile Short Video Ecosystem Cooperation Plan, and announcing the highly anticipated Jay Chou’s first global metaverse concert.