Global Film Leaders Look Beyond Talent Discovery to Nurturing Cinema's Next Generation

As the film industry navigates rapid technological change, shifting audience habits and an increasingly competitive content landscape, one major question is challenging film festivals and studios alike: how can the next generation of filmmakers be discovered, supported and sustained?

That topic framed discussions at the Shanghai International Film Festival’s flagship SIFF Forum, themed “Converge, Discover, Lead: Fostering the New Power of Cinema,” on Sunday morning, June 14

Held at Crowne Plaza Shanghai, the event brought together festival leaders, producers, directors and industry executives from China and abroad to discuss how film festivals can evolve from cultural showcases into engines driving talent development and industry growth.

Among the speakers were Tricia Tuttle, Berlin International Film Festival director; Cameron Bailey, Toronto International Film Festival CEO; Albert Lee, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society executive director; Janet Yang, award-winning producer and immediate past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; and Chen Guo, Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center managing director.

Despite representing different markets and institutions, the speakers shared a common belief: the future of cinema depends on discovering new voices and building stronger pathways for emerging filmmakers.

Tuttle described film festivals as places where “discovery” and “connection” happen simultaneously. A first-time filmmaker may arrive at a festival with only a completed film, she noted, but leave having met producers, distributors, critics and future collaborators who can help shape a long-term career. Festivals, she argued, remain uniquely positioned to identify important new talent before it becomes widely recognized. 

Bailey echoed that view, highlighting how festivals serve as bridges between filmmakers and audiences. Drawing on his Toronto festival experience, he spoke about talent-development initiatives, youth programs and industry platforms designed to help emerging creators build sustainable careers beyond a single screening or award. 

Yang emphasized that identifying talent is only the first step. Long-term success, said the woman who helmed the Oscars organization, requires institutional support, professional networks, mentorship and access to opportunities. She also pointed to the growing number of filmmakers emerging from unconventional backgrounds and digital platforms, underscoring the need for the industry to remain open to new pathways and perspectives. 

Representing the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Lee reflected on the event’s role as a cultural bridge connecting Chinese-language cinema with global audiences. He cited examples ranging from Chen Kaige’s “Yellow Earth” to Jia Zhangke’s early works, arguing that festivals should build lasting relationships with filmmakers rather than simply discovering them once. 

For Shanghai, nurturing young talent has become an increasingly important part of the festival’s mission. Chen Guo outlined a series of upgraded initiatives this year, including expanded project markets, training programs, mobile filmmaking projects and international promotion mechanisms aimed at helping young creators move from development and financing to distribution and global exposure. 

The forum also recognized nine emerging filmmakers, presenting them with honours from the SIFF Young & Shanghai Young Filmmakers Support Program. A subsequent roundtable discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges facing young creators in today’s industry, examining how talent-support programs, industrial collaboration and international networks can help shape the future of Chinese-language cinema.

While film festivals are often associated with red carpets and premieres, Sunday’s discussion suggested their role may be expanding. For many industry leaders gathered in Shanghai, the real work lies behind the spotlight: creating the conditions for the next generation of filmmakers to thrive.