2025-06-18

SIFF YOUNG | SIFF YOUNG 2025 Announces Selected Filmmakers

On June 17, the list of selected filmmakers for SIFF YOUNG at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) was unveiled. The selected filmmakers include directors Dai Mo, Gao Peng, Huang Jiakang, Wen Shiping, and Yao Tingting, producers Mao Chuxiao, Xu Jiahan, and Ye Ting, as well as screenwriter Jiao Huajing, a total of 9 outstanding filmmakers.

Pan Min, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC and Director of Shanghai Film Bureau; Liu Yina, Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC; Li Zhihua, Deputy Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC; and Chen Guo, Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Festivals, Co., Ltd., attended the announcement event for the selected filmmakers.

In her speech, Liu Yina, Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC, stated that Shanghai would spare no effort in providing development opportunities for young filmmakers, leveraging financial support to the fullest, and offering strong protection for the creation and distribution of outstanding works. Shanghai warmly welcomes excellent young filmmakers to develop their projects, shoot their films, produce their works, and work and live in Shanghai. This will further solidify Shanghai’s reputation as the “City of Film” and contribute more high-quality works that shine with the brilliance of the era to China’s film industry.

In 2025, SIFF YOUNG appointed renowned director Cao Baoping to chair the Final Selection Jury, followed by producers Dun He, Hao Wei, Yu Xiaofeng, and screenwriter/director Zhang Ji as jury members. After two months of industry nominations and final reviews by the jury panel, nine outstanding young filmmakers were selected. Jury President, Director Cao Baoping, stated: “The five selected directors each have distinct styles and balance artistic expression with commercial appeal. The three selected producers demonstrate both sharp market insight and a commitment to artistic values, with outstanding achievements in the industry. The selected screenwriter shows strong creative potential, bringing life and energy to the script.”

At the meet-and-greet event, the selected filmmakers expressed their excitement about being chosen for the program and promised to live up to expectations by working hard to create more outstanding films in Shanghai.

Director Dai Mo shared that Shanghai has always been a lucky place for him: he was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama in Shanghai, and his first job after graduation was also in the city. He said:

“I’m honored to receive this recognition. I especially look forward to forming deeper ties with Shanghai and hope to have opportunities to film and work here.”

Director Gao Peng, who is currently working on a script, said he felt deeply encouraged to come to Shanghai and receive this honor:

“Film festivals are always so lively and fun, and filmmaking itself is also a very lively and enjoyable endeavor. But before all of that, there’s always a phase where you’re writing the script alone. That part isn’t so fun - it’s long and rather lonely. Receiving this honor today makes it feel a little less lonely. I’ll go back and finish the script, aim to complete my next film as soon as possible, and then bring it to SIFF.”

Director Huang Jiakang moved from Beijing to Shanghai two years ago to set up his own animation studio. During this process, he received a lot of support from various levels of governments and institutions in Shanghai, for which he expressed his gratitude. As for the studio’s future, his initial concerns have turned into confidence:

“When I came to Shanghai, I was worried there might not be enough talent at the beginning. But later I discovered that there are many outstanding young people here who are willing to join us. Now we’ve taken root in Shanghai - we work and create here - and I hope more talent will join the animation industry and create amazing animated works in Shanghai.”

Director Wen Shipei is a familiar face at SIFF. His feature debut, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, was selected for NEW TALENT PROJECT of SIFF PROJECT at the 20th SIFF. Returning to Shanghai again, he expressed his confidence in creation with a brief but powerful statement:

“Thank you to the jurors for the honor. From here on, I’ll keep pushing forward, aiming higher, and striving for even more achievements!”

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Director Yao Tingting’s career. Receiving recognition and support from SIFF YOUNG at such a meaningful milestone made her both excited and grateful:

“This year is my tenth year in the industry. In 2015, I directed my debut film Yesterday Once More. Over the past ten years, my passion for filmmaking has only grown stronger. I truly love this profession, and I hope today marks the beginning of my next decade in filmmaking.”

Producer Mao Chuxiao shares a deep connection with Shanghai throughout her career. Reflecting on this, she remarked:

“Some of the most important projects in my life, such as Cock and Bull and Across the Furious Sea, were initiated and took root in Shanghai. Our film All Ears also received recognition from the Golden Goblet Awards. I’m deeply grateful to Shanghai, and we will continue to work hard.”

Producer Xu Jiahan has mainly worked on low-budget art films. In order to protect the creative vision of the filmmakers she works with, she and her team often need extra perseverance and courage. Fortunately, their efforts have received much support. At the meet-and-greet, she expressed her gratitude to her “mentors” and the directors she has worked with:

“As a producer, I truly feel that filmmaking is never something you can do alone. That’s why I want to sincerely thank all the partners who’ve walked this path with me.”

Producer Ye Ting has a deep emotional connection with Shanghai. She produced her first film, How Long Will I Love U, in Shanghai in 2017. In 2021 and 2023, she returned to the city for her second and third films, B for Busy and Herstory. For her, Shanghai is not only the birthplace of Chinese cinema but also a true “City of Film”, and more personally, the place where her filmmaking dreams came true:

“I truly love Shanghai, and I hope to create even more and even better films here in the future.”

Screenwriter Jiao Huajing is the only writer selected in this year’s SIFF YOUNG program. Her works have received numerous accolades, and the Final Selection Jury praised her writing as “not relying on technique, but driven by heartfelt, soul-baring vitality.” As a filmmaker selected by the SIFF YOUNG program, Jiao expressed her gratitude and also shared a hope for the future:

“As the only screenwriter selected this year, I hope that more screenwriters will be included in the future.”

Since its launch in 2021, SIFF YOUNG has leveraged relevant policies and relied on the professional platform of SIFF to provide comprehensive support for young filmmakers, covering everything from script development and production to promotion and distribution. Many of the selected young filmmakers have since gone on to create multiple acclaimed new works, achieving impressive results in artistic expression, social impact, and box office performance. They are gradually becoming an indispensable new force in Chinese cinema.

Having witnessed many promising young talents rise through the ranks, Jury President Cao Baoping remarked: “It’s encouraging to see the film industry and public institutions offering support to young filmmakers, empowering them to innovate and, in turn, give back to the industry. This is the kind of healthy development we hope to see. That’s why we need more initiatives and policies like SIFF YOUNG. We look forward to seeing young filmmakers bring new glory to Chinese-language cinema, and we hope SIFF YOUNG continues to guide more emerging talents toward a promising future.”