SIFF ING | Mentors in Dialogue: Multi-Dimensional Perspectives on Mobile Filmmaking

On June 17, the Mobile Filmmaking Camp of the 2026 SIFF ING Section (hereinafter referred to as the "Camp") at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival successfully concluded at MOViE MOViE Cinema in Shanghai.

As an important section of the Shanghai International Film Festival dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers, SIFF ING has consistently focused on “new technologies, new perspectives, and new youth,” continuously exploring the diverse possibilities of audiovisual creation. This year’s newly launched Camp centers on mobile filmmaking. By using the iPhone as a lightweight and highly flexible creative tool, the program breaks down the boundaries of traditional production equipment, enabling young creators to capture inspiration at any time and transform creative ideas into practice. In this sense, a mobile phone can serve as a powerful cinematic tool for documenting the times and telling stories.

Unlike traditional workshops that rely primarily on one-way lectures and instruction, this year’s Camp invited three mentors: Gao Weizhe, Qu Chuxiao, and Nick Cheuk (listed in order of stroke count of surnames in Chinese), representing cinematography, acting, and directing respectively. Each mentor created a short mobile film using an iPhone, integrating their professional experience and creative insights into every frame and narrative, offering young creators multi-dimensional guidance and inspiration.

Resonance of Multi-Dimensional Perspectives | Mentors in Creative Practice Unlock the Infinite Possibilities of Mobile Cinema

Emerging Director Nick Cheuk: Telling a Rich World Through a Mobile Lens

Director Nick Cheuk’s Work: And You, What Do You See?

An emerging filmmaker who has received multiple accolades including the Asian Film Awards, the Hong Kong Directors’ Guild Annual Award, and the Hong Kong Film Awards, Nick Cheuk has consistently upheld a “content-first” creative philosophy. In this Mobile Filmmaking Camp, he participated as both director and screenwriter, creating an iPhone short film that demonstrates his strong command of script development, narrative rhythm, visual composition, and emotional structuring. With a solid screenwriting foundation and precise directorial control, his work And You, What Do You See? powerfully illustrates how “minimal equipment can generate maximal narrative richness.”

Actor Qu Chuxiao: Discovering Emotional Depth Through the Lens of Creation

Director Qu Chuxiao’s Work: Put It Back On. Please.

From actor to director, narrative expression is ultimately shaped through accumulated craft and emotional sensitivity. With years of experience in the film and television industry, Qu Chuxiao has earned recognition for his nuanced and layered performances. In this Camp, he made his directorial debut in mobile filmmaking with Put It Back On. Please., offering a distinctive performer’s perspective and a strong individual voice in cinematic storytelling.

Award-Winning Cinematographer Gao Weizhe: Sketching Human Truth with a Handheld “Pen”

Director Gao Weizhe’s Work: Boxed Mom

A highly respected cinematographer in the industry, Gao Weizhe has contributed to numerous acclaimed works. He believes that “the smartphone serves as a grounding anchor of authenticity in the AI era.” In this workshop, he stepped into the role of director, using a light and intuitive visual approach in Boxed Mom to delicately trace emotional textures. Moments of care, attachment, and love unfold naturally on screen, revealing the tenderness and sincerity of mobile filmmaking.

Led by Professional Vision | Expanding the Future of Mobile Filmmaking

Three creative identities, three sincere works, and a shared belief: cinematic creation knows no boundaries, and professional practice can transcend the constraints of equipment. When smartphones dissolve dependence on traditional production tools, creators from different backgrounds are able to return to the essence of storytelling and freely explore the language of images. The question remains: what story do you wish to tell?

The 2026 SIFF ING Mobile Filmmaking Camp explored an accessible new aesthetic of mobile filmmaking, while fostering bold, experimental expression among emerging filmmakers, positioning them as cinematic pioneers connecting the present and the future. Throughout the program, selected emerging filmmakers not only gained hands-on experience in mobile filmmaking methods, but also developed their own narrative styles and expanded the possibilities of audiovisual language. Although this year’s Camp has successfully concluded, the exploration of mobile cinema continues. SIFF ING will remain grounded in professional practice, continuously expanding the aesthetic and expressive boundaries of filmmaking, and injecting sustained creative vitality into emerging creators and the wider industry.

28th Shanghai International Film Festival

SIFF ING Section

SIFF ING aims to tap the creative potential and enthusiasm of young filmmakers in the new era, providing a broader platform for young filmmakers and bringing together fresh, eclectic young creative forces from different cultural backgrounds.