2016 SIFF PROJECT Announced

SIFF PROJECT of the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival will be held in Shanghai from June 12 to 14. The Organizing Committee officially announced the finalists, including a total of 30 projects from 7 countries and regions, 10 of which are finalists of the “New Talent Project” sub-unit. Having received 350 projects from 10 countries, this year has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of applications. The selected projects display diversified genres and reveal a high level of quality. It is also worth noting that there are not only projects from distinguished directors, but creative works made by young directors and artists as well. The announcement of the shortlist also unveils the 10th anniversary of SIFF PROJECT.

Veteran Film makers Try Out Different Roles

The 2016 SIFF PROJECT has attracted a large number of distinguished filmmakers. Korean directorJ YONG E, winner of the Best Director award at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival for the movie Scandal, and nominee of the Berlin International Film Festival, brings his new projectOdyssey this time. Director CHEN Miao will show up with her latest urban romantic project Harvard Baby.

Director HOU Xiaoxian joins as executive producer of the feature film Missing Jonny, supporting the young director Huang Xi. Similarly, Director WANG Xiaoshuai participates in the young director YUAN Fei’s project Far-fetched Friends as executive producer. Poet and writer HAN Dong brings his directorial debut At the Dock, which is produced by JIA Zhangke. Director ZHOU Hongbo continues to focus on urban life, attempting to present people’s inner minds in his latest feature film The Youth in the Happy Street. The executive producer of this film is MEI Feng, who won the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes International Film Festival. US producer Mike S. Ryan will help young director NIU Hanon to launch his project, The Manifesto.

Beyond all that, the renowned scholar, critic and producer SHI Chuan, and director CAO Jing collaborate on the film A Trapped Couple; WANG Tianlin, experienced cinematographer of The Master and Song of the Phoenix, is going to launch his own project Chinese Nationals as the director for the first time.

Young Directors Demonstrate Their Capabilities

The finalists of the “New Talent Project” reflect the ideas and visions of the new generation of the Chinese film industry. Among the works, there are projects of black humor, sport theme, love stories and also adventure. Young director LI Xiaojiang and producer TANG Juan are going to bring their critically acclaimed film Summer Arouse. This is the second time that TANG’s work has been selected into SIFF PROJECT. GUO Sanpi’s latest project, The Last Party shows his proficiency in creating suspense. ZHOU Jie\'s My Only Farewell is adapted from a novel of XU Yigua, which raises profound thinking on life. Missing Jonny directed by HUANG Xi depicts the life of modern families in Taipei. Scriptwriter BU Wei works as director for the first time, creating The Howling Storm which features the tough spirit of men. Film editor YUAN Fei introduces his action comedy Far-fetched Friends, which is filled with twists and turns. WANG Daqing reveals in his project the deep love between the father and the daughter. Young director Jessica Shen describes female initiation in Him of Yesterday. Director and screenwriter ZHANG Chi brings his project Breaking the Waves, which depicts a story of Chinese students living in the United States. YANG Xiao, executive director of Roadside Picnic brings his second feature film The Negative.

Apart from what have been mentioned above, Taiwanese director Lee Chung, whose work, The Laundryman has won praise from audiences and critics, brings his latest work,Tick Tock. Director HE Wenchao who was nominated for the New Talent Award at Shanghai International Film Festival with Sweet Eighteen is now introducing his new project, Chorus. The Gift from Allah is presented in a natural way by the new director HO Ryan. YANG Pingdao’s poetic project My Dear Friend which attempts to meet the standard of oriental aesthetics is worth expecting. Heading Home is made by Young filmmaker REN Jiangzhou together with director YANG Nanqian. XIANG Guoqiang, who was nominated for the New Talent Award at Shanghai International Film Festival with Young Babylon brings his latest work Uncrowned King. Director James Su, winner of the Best Documentary Award at the Golden Horse Film Festival is going to launch his first feature film Cordelia’s Scissors co-produced with the French team.

Poets and Musicians Try Their Hands at Directing

The well-known poets and writer, HAN Dong is now working as a director. At the Dock is his first piece of work. The celebrated musician ZHANG Yadong is going to bring his directorial debut The Cambrian. As Zhang has been exploring the visual arts field in recent years, this feature film is highly anticipated.

Besides, there’s Goggle Boy directed by Malaysian director Felix Tan, Hyde directed by Korean filmmakers Hankoo Kim and Haneol Lee, a Sino-British co-production Sleeper produced by Samm Haillay, a Sino-French co-production My Mother and a Sino-Dutch co-production My Giraffe.