SIFF YOUNG | SIFF YOUNG Filmmakers for the Year 2026 Unveiled

“Nurture and be nurtured in return.” On June 14, the official lineup of SIFF YOUNG filmmakers for the year 2026 was released. Nine outstanding young filmmakers have made the list, including screenwriter Zhou Yunhai, producers Hu Jing, Titi and Xie Haochi, as well as directors Bai Xue, Su Biao, Teng Congcong, Wang Tong and Xu Lei.

Fang Shizhong, Executive Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC and Director General of Shanghai Film Bureau, Liu Yina, Director of the Film Division of the Publicity Department of Shanghai Municipal Committee of CPC, and Chen Guo, Managing Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center, attended the announcement event. Fang Shizhong presented certificates to the selected young filmmakers.

Launched in 2021, SIFF YOUNG embraces its fifth anniversary and a new milestone this year. Over the past five years, it has evolved into a leading incubator for emerging film talents across the Chinese-language cinema, boasting impressive influence, authority and credibility. It also serves as a key industrial initiative within the three-pronged talent development framework of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). Notably, the five veteran filmmakers on this year’s final round jury all share deep ties with the festival.

Director Wen Muye, Final Round Jury President, was selected as a SIFF YOUNG filmmaker at the 25th SIFF in 2023. He also served as President of the Annual Focus Committee for SIFF PROJECT during the 27th edition in 2025. Dong Runnian, director and screenwriter, acted as a member of the Annual Focus Committee for SIFF PROJECT at the 24th SIFF back in 2021. Liang Lin, producer and executive producer, took on the role of the member of the Annual Focus Committee for SIFF PROJECT in 2024. In the same year, she joined the Final Round Jury of SIFF YOUNG and took an active part in the evaluation of young filmmakers. Screenwriter You Xiaoying was selected for the SIFF YOUNG in 2023, ranking among the first batch of screenwriters under the program. Yu Zhou, an experienced producer and executive producer, joins the Final Round Jury for the very first time this year. His works have long maintained close links with SIFF. His latest production The Three Kingdoms Part I: The Fight for Luoyang was presented at the Gala Night of this year’s festival as a representative work showcasing emerging strengths in Chinese-language cinema.

When introducing this year’s final evaluation criteria on behalf of the Final Round Jury, Director Wen Muye stated: “The young creators we have selected boast outstanding talent and diverse styles. They combine solid professionalism with independent thinking. The group includes seasoned practitioners with rich industry experience as well as bold, innovative emerging voices, fully embodying the professionalism and diversity upheld in selection this year.”

Among the newly selected talents is screenwriter Zhou Yunhai, whose credits include well-received works such as Pegasus 3. The panel notes that he demonstrates sophisticated storytelling skills, with a keen grasp of audience tastes and entertainment demands, standing out among his peers. “This selection is a recognition of my past work and also an inspiration for what lies ahead,” he remarked in a lighthearted tone. “I will keep working hard and strive to grow into a distinguished filmmaker in my middle years before long.”

Producers are a vital driving force in the film and television industry. SIFF YOUNG also hopes that these unsung heroes, who build bridges between front-end creative development and final post-production delivery, will gain more recognition from the public.

From The Cord of Life to Decoded, producer Hu Jing has long excelled at discovering diverse and innovative creative themes. She shared, “I will carry this recognition and encouragement forward, collaborate with more outstanding creators to explore new genres and unearth compelling stories, capture the pulse of our era with a perceptive perspective through the language of cinema, and produce more warm-spirited, vibrant works.”

The film The Sun Rises on Us All competed in the Main Competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival last year. Its lead actress Xin Zhilei claimed the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her performance in the film. Producer Titi, who rose to wide public recognition through this work, shared, “I will always maintain reverence for cinema and keep making fine films.” Her latest production Make Zhonghe Great Again was showcased at this year’s Gala Night.

Demonstrating acute content sensibility and solid industry execution, and empowering film and television creation with a marketing-oriented perspective, emerging producer Xie Haochi has earned well-deserved recognition through this selection. As one of the producers, his works Make Zhonghe Great Again, and This is My Time were presented at last night’s Gala Night as representatives of China Movie Blockbuster New Voices. Looking ahead, he pledged: “We will keep forging ahead!”

Director Bai Xue’s debut film The Crossing won wide acclaim at major film festivals. Breaking the conventional boundaries of youth-themed cinema, she has established a distinct personal style while consistently exploring genre innovation. Reflecting on her selection, she shared warmly, “Years pass quickly when you immerse yourself in creation. I barely notice my age. Today, I feel I am still very ‘YOUNG’. I’m truly delighted and will keep creating.”

A compelling script is undeniably foundational to a great film. Directors transitioning from seasoned screenwriters often boast rigorous storytelling craftsmanship. Su Biao, behind hit titles such as Post Truth, One and Only, and City of Rock, has smoothly made his directorial debut with Honey Money Phony. He hopes to “visit Shanghai more often, create more stories rooted in the city, and tell captivating Eastern stories from Shanghai to the world.”

Director Teng Congcong has long dedicated herself to film and television production. Her works, including the film Send Me to the Clouds and the drama To the Wonder, stand out for their refined aesthetic and profound cultural heritage. She joked, “I’m truly honored to be selected for SIFF YOUNG while still holding onto the tail end of my youth. Thanks to SIFF YOUNG and Chinese cinema.”

Young director Wang Tong focuses on realistic storytelling. His film Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts took home the Jury Grand Prix and the Best Actress Award at last year’s Golden Goblet Awards. Having received continuous recognition at SIFF, he shared his thoughts: “It always feels like the festival is cheering me on, urging me to go further. Thank you. I will keep moving forward.”

Director Xu Lei excels at crafting commercial genre-style works through low-budget independent productions. Titles including Summer Detective and The Hutong Cowboy have broadened his creative horizons. He shared his excitement: “I now know exactly how Neymar felt when he made the World Cup squad at the very last minute. This selection is both supportive and encouraging. I will take this opportunity to keep focusing on filmmaking and creative work.”

This year’s SIFF YOUNG received nominations from 13 industry recommenders and 17 recommend companies. After rigorous review by the Final Round Jury, the final list of selected talents was confirmed. Over the past five years, the platform has nurtured a total of 29 outstanding young film practitioners. As a celebrated City of Film, Shanghai and SIFF will continue to discover and support emerging filmmakers. We encourage them to pursue bold innovation, produce more high-quality works, and contribute to the sound development of Chinese cinema.