2025-05-29

SIFF YOUNG｜SIFF YOUNG 2025 Announces Lineup of Final Selection Jury

SIFF YOUNG 2024 announces today the lineup of its final selection jury, which is led by the well-known director Cao Baoping, followed by producer Dun He, producer Hao Wei, producer Yu Xiaofeng, and screenwriter and director Zhang Ji (in alphabetical order by last name’s pinyin) as jury members.

Young filmmakers play a vital role in the sustainable development of the film industry, always bringing fresh perspectives, unique ideas and innovative technologies, as a source of vitality for films to keep iterating with directors, producers and screenwriters being at the core of the process. Over the years, Shanghai has long been concerned with the development of young filmmakers. SIFF YOUNG, officially launched in 2021, has already recommended 20 representative outstanding young filmmakers.

The 4th session of SIFF YOUNG officially kicked off in April this year. After industry nominations and other process, five senior filmmakers were invited to form the Final Selection Jury, which has selected this year’s finalists in three categories, namely young directors, producers and screenwriters. The jury members have long followed the development of young filmmakers and collaborated with them on an ongoing basis. Also, they have previously served as jury members and mentors in various sections of SIFF’s 6+1 step-wise new talent cultivation system.

Jury President Cao Baoping previously served as a jury member of the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition at the 20th SIFF, and as Jury President of the Asian New Talent Awards at the 26th SIFF; producer Dun previously was a mentor for SIFF PROJECT, and in 2023 was selected for SIFF YOUNG; Hao Wei previously joined SIFF YOUNG as a nominator. And Screenwriter Zhang Ji has on multiple occasions worked with SIFF YOUNG as a nominator.

Through rigorous and thorough discussion, the Final Selection Jury has selected the filmmaker candidates for this SIFF YOUNG for the categories of directors, producers, and screenwriters, and the shortlist will be announced during the 27th SIFF.

Jury President

Cao Baoping

Director, Screenwriter, Executive Producer

Dubbed the “Award-Winning Actor Maker” by the media for his exceptional ability to guide lead performers to major prizes at domestic and international film festivals, his acclaimed works include

Filmography: Across the Furious Sea, The Dead End, The Equation of Love and Death, Einstein and Einstein, Cock and Bull. As a master of realist cinema, Cao Baoping centers on humanity in extreme conditions in his films. And exploring human nature is the ultimate and eternal theme of his works. His accolades include the “Best Director Award” at the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival and the “Best New Director Award” at the 56th San Sebastián International Film Festival. His debut feature, Trouble Makers, was selected at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival. He returned to Berlin with the film Einstein and Einstein, receiving the “Special Mention of the GENERATION” at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival. He has served as a jury member for the main competition at the 20th Shanghai International Film Festival and the 9th Beijing International Film Festival.

“The medium will always evolve, but if you rigorously hone your craft - mastering the art, experience, and ability of storytelling – then no matter the medium, your storytelling will always be appealing.”

Jury Members

Dun He

Producer, Presenter

Yan Yunfei, pen name Dun He, has produced acclaimed films including Send Me to the Clouds, The Unseen Sister, Back to the Wharf, Fire on the Plain, Tainted Love, Absence, and Over the Sea. His works have been officially selected at major international film festivals at Cannes, Berlin, Shanghai, San Sebastián, Tokyo, and Busan, etc.

“The most vital task is to seize the spirit of the times.”

Hao Wei

Producer, Artist Manager

Hao Wei is a member of the 11th Council of China Film Association. She was honored with the Ten-Year Achievement Award in Chinese Pop Music, and awarded “Golden Film Producer” for producing Love Is Not Blind. Then, she completed films including Extraordinary Mission, and Mr. No Problem.

“May they stay true to their passions, and hold fast to what they believe in.”

Yu Xiaofeng

Producer, Presenter

Professor, Dean and Deputy Secretary of the General Party Branch of the Management School at Beijing Film Academy, and Council Member of both the China Film Association. His works include Nice View (presenter), My People, My Homeland (presenter), No More Bets (general producer), World’s Greatest Dad (general producer), Are You Lonesome Tonight? (general producer), and A Cool Fish (producer), etc. He has won over 20 domestic awards including “The Best Works Award” for Ethical & Cultural Progress, China Huabiao Film Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, NRTA Outstanding Work Awards, and 17 international film awards.

“In this day and age, finding true passion in work is rare. If cinema sets your soul on fire, hold onto that flame - no matter what.”

Zhang Ji

Screenwriter

Currently Vice Chairman of the China Film Association. His notable screenwriting works include Leap, American Dreams in China, Dearest, Passing by of My People, My Country, and Endless Journey. Accolades: Best Screenplay at the 33rd Golden Rooster Awards, Outstanding Original Screenplay at the 15th China Huabiao Film Awards, Outstanding Screenplay at the 19th China Huabiao Film Awards, Best Screenplay at the 4th Beijing International Film Festival Tiantan Awards, Outstanding Screenplay at the 2nd Writers Guild of China Film Association (2020-2021), and the Honor of Young and Middle-aged Artists Who Excel in Both Professional Expertise and Moral Integrity in 2022.

“Mindset and values have become decisive elements. For creators, understanding what truly resonates with contemporary audiences is what really matters - an insight that demands introspection, cultivated through silence, endurance, and unwavering persistence. Look before you leap.”

* In alphabetical order by last name’s pinyin

Messages from jury members to the young generation of Chinese filmmakers