SIFF EXPLORE | 2024 SIFF EXPLORE Reveals 20 Official Recommended Works

On June 21, the 26th SIFF EXPLORE section announced the 20 official selected recommended works and 6 special recommended honor from the Jury Members. Renowned cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding, British screenwriter and director Arthur Jones, director and screenwriter Wu Lang, animation director and comic artist Momo Wang, and screenwriter Jia Jiawei discussed the theme "The Dance of Technology and Creativity", encouraging young filmmakers to boldly explore and create.

To better focus on the essence of film, the original Short Film Section of the Shanghai International Film Festival was officially renamed to SIFF EXPLORE in its fifth year. This year, the SIFF EXPLORE section received over 1,300 submissions from more than 70 countries and regions, showcasing younger, richer, more diverse, and more exploratory creations. Among the 50 shortlisted works, 39 are outstanding local films highlighting new Chinese cinematic talent, while the remaining 11 come from countries such as France, Indonesia, the UK, and Belgium, reflecting a rich exchange of diverse cultures.

Though these works are brief, they serve as experimental grounds within a small space, allowing audiences to glimpse and feel the vibrant creative energy of young filmmakers. This year, some creators incorporated AI technology into their works, demonstrating their proactive engagement with new technologies and tools.

At the event, the five mentors recommended six outstanding works they favored. Momo Wang revealed the Best Animation Honor, WHEN I SLEEP, MY DREAM COMES; Jia Jiawei announced the Best Feature Honor, A STRANGER; Wu Lang presented the Best Director Honor, LAI LIE; Arthur Jones unveiled the Exploratory Spirit Honor, MOVEMENTS; Zhao Xiaoding announced the Best Production Honor, DRAGON GATE, and the Special Recommended Honor from the Jury Members, SUNSHOWER.

In this era of rapid technological evolution, audiences crave fresh visual communication. How can we effectively tell a story in a short amount of time? How can we capture genuine emotions and the complexity of today's world through images? And how can we elevate our artistic achievements? At the event, five mentors shared their unique perspectives on creating ultra-short films through a roundtable forum.

Zhao Xiaoding believes that short films may develop into a new niche, with more sub-genres emerging. "In this fast-paced era, our use of time is increasingly fragmented. Amid the competition for attention with feature films, short films will showcase their unique vitality." He observed the strong desire for expression among the youth participating in this year's SIFF EXPLORE, "Many of these young dreamers are not professionally trained, yet their eagerness to express reveals various possibilities for the future. The market for short films will undoubtedly flourish."

Discussing the future of short films, Wu Lang encouraged new filmmakers who focus on this format: "Many renowned short film directors have never made a feature film in their lifetime." He emphasized that there is no inherent link between short and feature films, "The key skill for short film creators is to convey their feelings most effectively and precisely within a few minutes. Each creator must find their unique storytelling method."

The mentors generously shared their practical insights as creators. Arthur Jones suggested that short films should incorporate more "openness" in their themes. "Openness here doesn't just refer to the ending but to the entire story expression. Avoid giving a definite conclusion." He believes that although short, excellent short films cannot be summarized in just a sentence or two.

As an animation director, Momo Wang deeply feels the impact of technological upgrades on the industry. She believes that young creators must always navigate the choice between "change and constancy." "As film professionals, we should pay attention to technological updates and use them to enhance our creations. However, the core of our creations must remain unchanged. Good content, regardless of the format in which it is presented, will always be good content."

"From a storytelling perspective, I believe short stories are harder to write than long ones," emphasized screenwriter Jia Jiawei, highlighting the uniqueness of short film creation. "A dance master once said, 'Dance is an art form that combines intuition, technique, and faith.' This description aptly applies to the art of storytelling as well." She encouraged short film creators to focus less on external form and more on infusing their work with emotion, "Allow your audience to see your observations and beliefs."

As one of the main sections of the Shanghai International Film Festival, and the foundational step in the festival's "6+1" progressive scheme for nurturing new talent, the newly named SIFF EXPLORE will continue to stay true to its mission. It will enrich its core content, continuously innovate its activities, create more opportunities for mutual learning, and attract more young filmmakers to participate in exchanges. This will pave the way for them to realize their dreams of making feature films, supporting more young filmmakers in their journey towards cinematic success.

Swipe down to view more special recommended honor from the Jury Members

Swipe down to view more special recommended honor from the Jury Members