SIFF YOUNG｜8 Young Filmmakers Shortlisted to Help Shape the Future of Chinese Cinema

On June 19, at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, SIFF YOUNG announced the list of selected filmmakers: screenwriter Chen Shu, producers Ying Luojia and Xie Meng, directors Jigme Trinley, Huo Meng, Zhao Ji, Wei Shujun, and Kong Dashan, totaling 8 outstanding young filmmakers.

The event was attended by Pan Min, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC, along with Liu Yina, Director of the Film Department of the Publicity Department of Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC, and Chen Guo, Managing Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd.

Director of the Film Department of the Publicity Department of Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC Liu Yina emphasized in her speech the aim of the SIFF YOUNG to promote young filmmakers with mainstream market potential and high artistic standards internationally on behalf of China. She pledged Shanghai’s full support to provide development opportunities through financial resources and comprehensive service, to facilitate the creation and distribution of these excellent works.

“We hope that these newly selected young filmmakers can achieve great success, contribute outstanding works to the Chinese film industry, and inspire more young filmmakers to join SIFF YOUNG, jointly building a bright future for Chinese and Shanghai cinema,” she said.

8 filmmakers stand out in the selection

The selection process involved a final selection jury comprising five senior figures from the Chinese-language film industry, chaired by renowned director Guan Hu, followed by the producer and supervisor Luca Liang, the director, screenwriter, and actor Liang Ming, the supervisor Jo Jo Hui, and the supervisor and screenwriter Chang Chia-Lu (in alphabetical order by last name’s pinyin) as jury members. They selected the final list of young directors, producers, and screenwriters. Each jury member is a leader in their respective field. 

After rigorous and thorough discussions, the final selection jury has recommended the list of participants for this year’s SIFF YOUNG. A total of 8 young filmmakers have been selected for this edition, including 5 directors, 2 producers, and 1 screenwriter. They are directors Huo Meng, Jigme Trinley, Kong Dashan, Wei Shujun, and Zhao Ji, producers Xie Meng and Ying Luojia, and the screenwriter Chen Shu (in alphabetical order by their last names). The selected young filmmakers have also expressed their love for Shanghai and their confidence in creating works in the city.

Director Wei Shujun, previously awarded domestically and internationally, expressed his commitment to continue creating impactful works, and appreciated SIFF YOUNG’s support while looking forward to having more opportunities to come to Shanghai.

Animation film director Zhao Ji believes that there is a close bond between animation and the city of Shanghai. Shanghai Animation Film Studio has been the starting point for generations of animators’ dreams. “I also hope to continue passing on this animation dream through my creations, producing more powerful and heartwarming works.”

Director Huo Meng, who received numerous directorial awards for his work CROSSING THE BORDER-ZHAOGUAN, likened his selection to receiving a university acceptance letter. “This means I must continue to produce good works, complete my ‘studies’, and earn my ‘diploma’. I am grateful for the support and encouragement from Shanghai.”

Director Jigme Trinley, who wants to make Tibet-inspired films, sees Shanghai as a pioneering and youthful city. “In the future, I will bring more avant-garde and youthful ideas to Shanghai for filmmaking.”

During this year’s New Year movie season, Ying Luojia, serving as both screenwriter and producer, saw her film JOHNNY KEEP WALKING! achieve tremendous box office success. Recalling her first stint as a producer ten years ago, she credits the Shanghai International Film Festival for kickstarting her career. “Back then, I participated in a Chinese-language young director program, which eventually turned five short films into one feature film. This year, we aim to help more directors complete new projects.”

Producer Xie Meng, dedicated to international film distribution and production, recalls meeting a Hungarian director at the Shanghai International Film Festival. “I believe the Shanghai International Film Festival is not only a crucial showcase for global filmmakers but also nurtures numerous new projects and films.”

Renowned screenwriter Chen Shu, known for scripts like BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES and A WRITER'S ODYSSEY, emphasizes the practical benefits of being selected. “It’s not just about encouragement and recognition; it also provides substantial support.”

Director Kong Dashan, unable to attend due to work commitments, expressed his gratitude through a humorous video related to his film JOURNEY TO THE WEST.

The voices of the selected filmmakers resonate deeply with Liang Ming, a director, screenwriter, and actor who was previously selected for SIFF YOUNG with his film WISDOM TOOTH. He secured funding from the Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation specifically earmarked for SIFF YOUNG filmmakers while filming his second movie, CARPE DIEM. “I personally feel Shanghai’s high regard for cinema, making this a great opportunity for young filmmakers. I encourage everyone to come to Shanghai more often for creation, project initiation, and filming,” Liang Ming remarked.

The support intensity and scope are increasing year by year

SIFF YOUNG was launched in 2021 under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Film Administration, and is undertaken by the Shanghai International Film Festival. It aims to discover outstanding young Chinese filmmakers, producers, and screenwriters. Leveraging Shanghai’s policies to promote film development and the industry platform of the Shanghai International Film Festival’s 6+1 progressive system for nurturing talents, the program provides comprehensive support to young filmmakers and their works, connecting them with domestic and international film industry resources.

SIFF YOUNG is currently in its third edition, having introduced a total of 20 young film professionals. The initial phase featured five selected directors; the second edition expanded to include producers and screenwriters. This time, there is a further adjustment in the composition of selected professionals, adding one more producer, highlighting the program’s focus on key talents in the film industry. Additionally, this year’s finalists include one animated film director, indicating its focus on the expansive market prospects in the animation genre.

SIFF YOUNG has consistently updated its industry nomination mechanisms, aiming to ensure that its selection criteria and results reflect the latest trends and future directions of the Chinese film industry, to provide more precise support to young filmmakers.

Guan Hu, president of the final selection jury for this year’s SIFF YOUNG and a renowned director, stated that supporting young people is not a simple task, as it requires policy support and long-term patient assistance. The significance of this initiative is self-evident: “Young people inject fresh vitality into the film industry. Supporting them will bring more vibrancy into the Chinese film market.”