SIFF EXPLORE | Showcase Contemporary Youth Perspectives

On the evenings of June 20 and 21, the SIFF EXPLORE section held two screening salons at the Shanghai Vancouver Film School. These screenings included a special internal exchange of outstanding student works from the Communication University of China’s School of Drama and Film, as well as a joint exhibition of this year's award-winning mini films and selected past excellent works. SIFF EXPLORE mentors engaged in face-to-face discussions with the selected participants and outstanding student creators, sharing experiences and insights. For them, this platform is not just a significant milestone for young creators but also a new starting point for future creative development.

Outstanding Student Works

Showcasing the Talents of Contemporary Students

This year, the SIFF EXPLORE section collaborated with the School of Drama and Film at the Communication University of China to co-host a touring exhibition and exchange of outstanding student works. This initiative aims to provide young creators with a new platform for showcasing their talents, dedicated to "discovering new talents and unearthing new works," and collectively promoting the growth of emerging filmmakers, allowing more young creators to be seen by a wider audience.

The four works presented for this internal observation and exchange were Tian Ruzheng's THE GOD OF EDITING, Yang Miaojing's MIMI'S GUESS, Zhang Yang's MODERN LANDSCAPE, and Wu Junhao's XIAOBAO'S DOOR. SIFF EXPLORE mentors Jia Jiawei and Momo Wang, who are also distinguished alumni of the Communication University of China, encouraged their younger peers on-site to persist in their creative endeavors and continue exploring.

Each of the four works has its unique charm: THE GOD OF EDITING is youthful, humorously edited, and full of campus atmosphere; MIMI'S GUESS draws on personal growth experiences to address adolescent confusion; MODERN LANDSCAPE focuses on the struggles of an ordinary real estate agent in both work and life; XIAOBAO'S DOOR, with a touch of fantasy, is filled with warm and beautiful familial memories. These works reflect the self-expression, genuine emotions, and youthful vitality of the younger generation, offering a window into their observations and reflections on life.

Four creators shared their insights on topics such as script structure, on-site shooting coordination, and future creative directions with the SIFF EXPLORE participants. Momo Wang noted that each work exhibited unique ideas and independent viewpoints, while Jia Jiawei encouraged everyone to maintain genuine passion and love for their characters.

From Behind-the-Scenes Sharing

To Uncovering Future Creative Potential

On the morning of June 21, six individual honor works from this year's SIFF EXPLORE section were announced: Special Recommended Honor from the Jury Members, SUNSHOWER by Song Jintong; Best Director Honor, LAI LIE by Cui Binglin; Best Narrative Honor, A STRANGER by Liu Ruoyang; Best Animation Honor, WHEN I SLEEP, MY DREAM COMES by Liu Yi; Exploratory Spirit Honor, MOVEMENTS by Xu Chenshuo; and Best Production Honor, DRAGON GATE by Duan Wenkai.

That evening, the SIFF EXPLORE section held its second screening salon, featuring these six works and a special screening of Wang Rui's animated film ESSENCE, which received significant attention from the mentors. The event also included a retrospective of outstanding works from previous years. The creators shared their concepts and shooting experiences, recounting memorable and interesting behind-the-scenes stories.

DRAGON GATE integrated advanced AI technology with traditional ink and martial arts style; WHEN I SLEEP, MY DREAM COMES showcased high artistic value, with the director drawing over ten thousand sketches for the five-minute film; A STRANGER depicted the daily life of a mother with Alzheimer's and her daughter; MOVEMENTS explored a young dancer's journey of self-discovery through dance; LAI LIE, directed by a former actor making his directorial debut, demonstrated remarkable control and coordination; SUNSHOWER featured all props made independently by the director, who even learned tailoring and sewing from scratch to create the costumes.

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, five esteemed mentors, joined the SIFF EXPLORE participants to watch the selected works. They provided detailed critiques and numerous constructive suggestions. The mentors emphasized the importance of continuous learning, embracing new technologies, and advancing with the times. The participants felt they gained substantial insights and benefits, enhancing their motivation and confidence for future creative endeavors.