2021 SIFF PROJECT REPORT

OVERVIEW

Date: 2021.06.12-15 (4 days)

Submission: 324 

Finalist: 31 (8 for “New Talent Project”, 9 for “Work in Progress Project”, 3 for “Co-Production Project”, 11 for Pre-Production Project)

Meeting: 645

SELECTION COMMITTEE

FIRST ROUND

Chris RONG    Project Planning & Development Department Manager, As One Production

WU Xianjian    Producer, IMAGE-X Films

Gilda ZHAO    Writer, Screenwriter

SECOND ROUND

FENG Yuanliang          Screenwriter

LEE Weichang Vice President, Shanghai Literature & Art Publishing House

Rebecca LI      Project Development Director, Irresistible Films

Luca LIANG    General Manager of Production and Development, Emperor Motion Pictures

LU Yun      General manager of Film Division, Film Producer, HLCG International Culture Media (Beijing) Co., Ltd

XIE Meng    Producer, CEO of Rediance

XU Jianhai      Manager of Beijing Film Production, China Film Co., Ltd

Alphabetical order by last name

COMMITTEE

CHEN Kuo-Fu (President)

DONG Runnian

WANG Yibing

LIST OF THE HONOURED

“Best Talent Project”

One project from the “New Talent Project” finalists will be honored as “Best Talent Project” by the SIFF PROJECT jury panel based on its originality and creativity to encourage the unique style of the director.

-Late Spring (Director: YUAN Yuan, Producer: WANG Jing, Rachel GORDON)

Comments:

This project carefully plaits intimate writing with a large number of genre elements. It tells a story with strong connection to contemporary society through well-structured and mature narrative.

“Most Creative Project”

One project from the SIFF PROJECT finalists apart from those of “New Talent Project” will be honored as “Most Creative Project” by the SIFF PROJECT jury panel based on its originality and creativity.

-The Sleepless Girl (Director: François CHANG, Producer: Isabelle GAO)

Comments:

The project owns a unique idea that could speak to popular audience. Meanwhile, it has the potential to practice genre film through a simple and flexible approach.

 “Annual Focus”

One project from the SIFF PROJECT finalists apart from those of “WIP Project” will be specially honored as “Annual Focus” by the SIFF PROJECT jury panel.

-The Man who Fought Ali (Director: William TANG, Executive Producer: GU Xiaodong, Producer: Mathilda SHEN)

Comments:

With distinct characters, this project tells a complete and emotional story in a way that well fits into a clear genre, which makes it has good potential commercially. It is what today's film market expects. 

“Best WIP Project”

One project from the SIFF PROJECT “WIP Project” finalists will be honored as “Best WIP Project” by the SIFF PROJECT jury panel based on its originality and visual quality.

- DAY TRIPPER (Director: CHEN Yanqi, Producer: HUANG Xufeng, LIANG Ying)                   

Comments:

The author represents the social scope of contemporary China with his extremely stylish cinematic language which is thoughtful, independent and self-consistent. 

“WIP Project Honorable Mention”

- STARLIGHT MOMENT (Director: LIU Quanwen, Executive Producer: CHENG Yuhai, XU Feng, Producer: LIU Chengkuan, SUN Fang)                   

Comments:

From a simple starting point, the project is pure in its purpose but reveals a sense of humor that is original. It comes from life and goes back to cinema per se. 

Sponsored Awards

Tencent Pictures’ Choice

One project from non-WIP finalists selected by Tencent Pictures will receive RMB 150,000 in cash.

- ZERO AND INFINITY (Director: LI Jing, Producer: WEN Yuxiang) 

Maoyan Pictures’ Choice

One project from non-WIP finalists selected by Maoyan Pictures will receive RMB 150,000 in cash.

-Late Spring (Director: YUAN Yuan, Producer: WANG Jing, Rachel GORDON)

Shanghaitech-USC SCA Film Programs’ Choices

Three projects (3-5 key crew members from each project) selected from all finalists by ShanghaiTech University will have the opportunity to participate in a 3-month Screenwriting Module offered by the ShanghaiTech-USC School of Cinematic Arts Professional Filmmaking Program.

-The Man who Fought Ali 

- ZERO AND INFINITY 

- Running With The Bulls

Mofei Pictures Creative Sound’s Choice 

One project from “WIP Project” finalists selected by Mofei Pictures will receive a post-production sound Package worthy of RMB 200,000.

- Hidden Parts (Director: XIA Hao, Executive Producer: HAO Lei, Producer: HAN Bo) 

Cornerstone Post-Production’s Choice 

One project from “WIP Project” finalists selected by Cornerstone Post-Production will receive a Baselight color grading Package worthy of RMB 250,000.

- When Will You Be Back (Director: WU Shuang, Executive Producer: ZHU Lin, Producer: YAO Chunguang / CAO Hongwei)