SIFF EXPLORE | 2023 SIFF EXPLORE Special Training Camp Successfully Concludes

In the name of cinema, bathed in light, we meet in dreams and explore endlessly. On November 27, the four-day SIFF EXPLORE special training camp concluded successfully. This year's outstanding creators of short videos joined over 30 other young filmmakers for a passionate exploration journey in the early winter.

During the camp, 8 mentors provided "special forces-style and high-density training" on advanced creation in young cinema, narrative techniques, cross-cultural creation, and debut feature filmmaking. This helped the young creators to improve their directorial knowledge, clarify their career development and prospects, and move closer to their cinematic dreams. In the "informal" pitching session on the last day, 15 students participated in the proposal rehearsal. After a comprehensive evaluation by the mentors, the feature film projects A CHAOTIC DREAM, SHE DANCES IN APRIL, and WOMAN: SHANGHAI, along with the short film projects I HAVE A RED GOLDFISH and SKETCHI, were selected as the "excellent assignments" of this training camp.

Looking for the Drive to Keep the Audience Watching

As an important part of series activities in SIFF EXPLORE, the SIFF EXPLORE special training camp has always encouraged and supported outstanding young image creators to chase their dreams. Before the official opening of the camp, the participants reviewed the highlights of the SIFF EXPLORE activities during the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival in June this year and a compilation of 20 selected recommended works, injecting new excitement into the upcoming training camp.

The first lesson of the camp was delivered by the young director, screenwriter, and producer Huo Meng on "My Understanding of Cinematic Narrative", providing a deep analysis of film narrative techniques. During the lesson, he used case studies and film screenings with the students to deepen their understanding of narrative techniques. He believes that students need to form their unique methodology, ensuring their film narratives are realistic and logical while also focusing on character relationships and dramatic conflicts to create dramatic tension that keeps the audience engaged.

Huo Meng

Young Director, Screenwriter, Producer

 In light of the current trend of short dramas and micro-short dramas, Tang Jian, the senior content operations director at Migu Video, shared "New Opportunities in Short Video Content Creation". He said that the concept and operation of video content creation had undergone many changes from the portal to the mobile era. However, the essence of quality content creation remains unchanged: creators should focus on real life, the interests and psychology of users, appreciate art and aesthetics, and aspire for depth in thought and social significance.

Tang Jian

Senior Content Operations Director at Migu Video

During the camp, renowned photography director and cinematographer Piao Xinghai held a photography workshop. He used a simulated film set for teaching, deeply analyzing "low-budget film photography creation". He believes that while "photography is important, it's not everything in a film". "High-quality equipment does not necessarily produce the best presentation." Photography should start from the story, choosing appropriate equipment and shooting methods to match the style and characteristics of the work, and cooperation between various departments is crucial to enrich and beautify the film.

Piao Xinghai

Photography Director, Cinematographer

"Low-Budget" Short Films: More Than Just a Training Ground

In the dynamic landscape of today's film market, "opportunities abound, competition is intense, and the process of selection is unforgiving". For aspiring filmmakers, the question of advancement and skill enhancement is paramount. Renowned film producer Yang Cheng views short films as the optimal gateway, serving not only as an invaluable stepping stone but also as a crucial metric for the industry to gauge a director's potential. He emphasizes that short films are far more than mere practice sessions; they are a platform where emerging directors must demonstrate their acumen and inject fresh perspectives into their craft.

Yang Cheng

Film Producer

"Money is not an obstacle to making films." Darren Borrowman, a director, producer, and lecturer from North America, shared his experiences and journey from short to feature film creation based on his career. He said that creating short films is more about "ideas than technology", focusing on the story and characters. He advised young creators to learn from small projects, accumulate experience, participate in various projects to find like-minded partners and showcase their creativity, talent, and potential through "low-budget" filmmaking.

Darren Borrowman

Director, Producer, Independent Filmmaker

During the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival this year, young director and outstanding alumnus Chen Shizhong's debut feature film GOOD AUTUMN, MOMMY, was nominated for the Golden Goblet Awards and ultimately won the Outstanding Artistic Achievement. At the training camp, he shared his experience with the first feature film creation and answered the participants' questions. He reminded young creators, "If you are determined to make films, the most important prerequisite is to have the desire to express through film." He emphasized that "even if talent exists, it cannot surpass the importance of training". Directors should make films about things they are familiar with and believe in, using low costs to experiment and refine. Facing increasingly experienced audiences, directors must have a clear understanding of their work and communicate openly and honestly with all departments, including financiers. Proper preparation in the early stages leads to natural choices later on.

Chen Shizhong

Young Director, Outstanding Alumnus

"Art direction can endow a film with rich, explorable historical and cultural information." Well-known artist and film art designer Lu Wei, combining his past works like LEGEND OF THE DEMON CAT and CHINA: SEASON 2, analyzed that film is an art of light and shadow that tells stories through audio-visual language, and art can enhance the value of a film. For instance, art direction can provide ample space for movement in staging and camera work; a minimalist aesthetic can also highlight the unique temperament of actors. In his view, art direction does not have to be extravagant. By cleverly handling details and creating a small but refined space, unexpected results can be achieved, which is particularly important for low-cost productions and worth learning from.

Lu Wei

Artist, Film Art Designer

Guiding New Directors on How to Find Their Patrons in Pitch Sessions

The film career is a journey, especially for young filmmakers, who have much to explore on the long road from short to feature films and from domestic to international stages. Marco Müller, a renowned international film scholar and producer who has served as artistic director for multiple film festivals, engaged in extensive discussions with the trainees on "Opening up the Multidimensional World of Young Film Creation". He believes that young people should try different innovations, think deeply, refer to the experiences of older generations of filmmakers, have a producer mindset to control budgets in low-cost creations and have an international mindset to continuously promote international integration and mutual learning.

Marco Müller

International Film Scholar, Film Producer

Embarking on this unique cinematic journey, the quest becomes how to find a patron who truly values one's creative vision. The mentors emphasize that participating in SIFF PROJECT remains among the most effective strategies. Then what criteria do SIFF PROJECT judges prioritize amidst a multitude of diverse projects? Yang Cheng, a seasoned participant in SIFF PROJECT, identifies four key elements: the project's originality, its comprehensiveness, practical feasibility, and the distinctive qualities of the director.

To help trainees better understand SIFF PROJECT, this training camp once again organized a project proposal rehearsal session. It provided close guidance on project development, proposal form, and content through onsite participation and practice. Among the 15 proposals received were short and feature films covering genres like family, romance, mystery, fantasy, action, and more. Training camp mentors Marco Müller, Yang Cheng, and Chen Shizhong served as jury members, along with producer Wei Ye from ALIEN TREASURE LIMITED (Hong Kong) and Qian Kai, director of Shanghai Yu'an Cultural Development Co., Ltd., as corporate guests. They provided professional critiques of all proposals, offering practical and honest advice on story setting, cost control, and other aspects.

Training Camp Onsite Glimpses

The SIFF EXPLORE special training camp was exclusively established by the exclusive educational support institution for this unit, the Shanghai Vancouver Film School, and also received strong support from the official strategic partner, Migu Culture Technology Co., Ltd. The trainees expressed that this training camp provided an excellent platform for independent learning, cooperative learning, and research learning, covering a wide range of knowledge in scriptwriting, directing, production, cinematography, art design, etc., encompassing both theoretical knowledge and operational skills. Through four days of learning, they gained a deeper understanding of how to make films, especially in terms of feature film creation.

For those who love films, the mentors said that it's never too late to start filming, but one should never stop learning. As for those determined to pursue this path, they responded, "Despite the lengthy path that lies ahead in our quest for cinematic mastery, our strides in exploring the realm of film and television shall remain unceasing."

The SIFF EXPLORE unit of the Shanghai International Film Festival inaugurated in 2019, represents a strategic move to enhance the new talent cultivation framework within the industry. This initiative synergizes with the Golden Goblet short films, SIFF NEXT, and SIFF PROJECT to construct a comprehensive, stepwise talent incubation ecosystem. The unit primarily focuses on short video narratives under 5 minutes, employing a methodology that encompasses solicitation, promotion, ongoing tracking, and targeted training. This approach is designed to establish a sustainable pipeline for "identifying emerging talent and uncovering groundbreaking works". It serves as a springboard for young cinematic visionaries, encouraging them to engage in fearless exploration and audacious content creation, thereby laying the foundational rung in their ascent toward feature-length filmmaking. Concurrently, the initiative leverages the platform's strengths to maximize its impact, amalgamating diverse societal resources to bolster the talent reservoir, thereby nurturing and channeling avant-garde professionals to fuel the future trajectory of the film industry.