2020-03-18

SIFF NEXT | SIFF NEXT Phase II Announces Mentors and Shortlisted Projects

The Phase II of the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival · SIFF NEXT 2019 will be held in Shanghai on December 17-19. Directors DONG Runnian and Sonthar Gyal, producers LU Yao and Jacky PANG are appointed as mentors for the 7 shortlisted projects.

SIFF NEXT, a separate session for the incubation of new talents, was newly launched at the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival in 2019. The program is divided into two phases, held respectively in June – during the SIFF, and December each year. Phase I of SIFF NEXT 2019 was held from June 15 to 22. Twenty trainees with experience in directing, screenwriting and producing stood out from the 405 applicants and were invited to Shanghai for an 8-day session – which was divided into two parts, Industry Fundamentals and SIFF Tour. To the trainees, it was regarded “a journey closest to their dreams.”

In early November, the organizing committee called for feature film projects and draft scripts from the finalists. Upon strict selection and review, seven participants: LIANG Mo, ZU Jiyan, JIN Junqi, ZHOU Tong, TONG Jiage, YANG Xiaoyin, and Charlotte CHEN were shortlisted for Phase II. The session will be co-organized by SIFF and the Shanghai Film Academy of Shanghai University, and take place at the Academy from December 17 to 19.

4 mentors will be invited to offer extensive guidance on script, development, casting, etc. for the shortlisted projects. And they will select 1-2 projects as the finalists for the SIFF Project in the following year. On the afternoon of December 19, the students are expected to deliver public presentations for their projects.

Mentor Lineup

DONG Runnian
Screenwriter | Director

He is the writer of CRAZY ALIEN, MR. SIX, BREAKUP, and THE CHEF, THE ACTOR, THE SCOUNDREL, and also one of the directors of CITIES IN LOVE. GONE WITH THE LIGHT directed by him was released at the end of 2019.

LU Yao
Agent ｜ Presenter ｜ Producer

Founding Partner of Easy Entertainment. In 2008, he served as Operating Director of We Pictures founded by director Peter CHAN. In 2014, he founded Easy Entertainment and originated a service model – customized agency. He has participated in the production and distribution of a number of films and TV dramas including SWAN DIVE FOR LOVE, GO AWAY MR. TUMOR, CHONGQING HOT POT, WHEN LARRY MET MARY, LOST, FOUND and HUNT DOWN.

Jacky PANG
Production Manager

CEO of Jet Tone Films, a film company founded by WONG Kar-wai. Jacky PANG is a noted film production manager and producer in the Chinese film circle. Her career is closely tied with the works directed by WONG Kar-wai, as she planned and produced CHUNGKING EXPRESS, FALLEN ANGELS and HAPPY TOGETHER. As an experienced producer, she knows well how to strike a balance between art and profitability. Besides being the co-producer of 2046 and EROS, and the production supervisor of WONG\'s first English film MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS and THE GRANDMASTER, she has also produced an array of award-winning movies and blockbusters, such as CHINESE ODYSSEY, SOUND OF COLORS, MIAO MIAO and TOUCH OF THE LIGHT. In 2018, PANG planned and supervised JINPA, a work by Pema Tseden, which won the Venice Horizons Award for Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival 2018.

Sonthar Gyal
Director

Director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and production designer. In 2011, he was nominated for Achievement in Cinematography at the 5th Asia Pacific Screen Awards with the film OLD DOG. In the same year, the very first film directed by him THE SUN BEATEN PATH won the Dragons and Tigers Award at the 30th Vancouver International Film Festival, and Golden DV Award - Special Mention at the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival; this film also earned him Asian New Talent Awards at the 14th Shanghai International Film Festival. His second film GTSNGBO produced in 2015 was shortlisted for Crystal Bear at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival. In 2018, he wrote and directed the feature film ALA CHANGSO, which was honored with the Golden Goblet Award for Grand Jury Prize at the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival. In 2019, his LHAMO AND SKALBE was the nominee for Golden Seashell at the 67th San Sebastián International Film Festival.

List of Shortlisted Projects

TIGER AT LARGE
Director: LIANG Mo

A 17-year-old steps on a tough journey to rescue his "brother" abducted by a trafficker.

Comments: Distinctive in characters and universal in theme, the film shows sincere and realistic care, and is warm in nature. The story is well-structured and creative.

TILL WE GROW UP
Director: ZU Jiyan

When a new and queer teacher meets with a rebellious tomboy… it’s about finding the true self during the restless adolescence, and growing up together under the pressure of exam-oriented education.

Comments: A warm coming-of-age story involving a teacher and the students. From the unique perspective of the young teacher, it shows concern for and reflection on education.

THE GAME
Director: JIN Junqi

A rich yet bored young man tries to find something exciting from the murder of his twin brother, and runs out of control because of his obsession with the woman involved in the case.

Comments: The twin setting is supported by vivid and substantial characters. With progressive suspense and unexpected plots, the film outlines the survival dilemma of people in different classes, and reveals the spiritual and material crisis suffered by urban dwellers.

USERNAME: CINDY
Director: YU Fan, Producer: ZHOU Tong

Is it a friend revenge or cyberbully? Anchor Cindy tries to escape the uncontrollable game, which changes her unbearable life.

Comments: It puts under spotlight the cyber violence in reality – creative in conception and unexpected in plot design. It has not missed a single stage of cyber violence, hitting precisely to the pain points of modern society. It is expected to draw attention and arouse wide discussion.

STUCK
Director/ Screenwriter: TONG Jiage

A girl with no dreams or special gifts encounters a series of changes and is stuck on her path to growth.

Comments: From the perspective of a “dreamless” and “mediocre” girl, the film starts a discussion on growth and education. Paying special attention to the spiritual world and ideals of young people, it manages to capture the subtle emotions concealed in reality, a tiny yet sincere story.

THE WRECK
Director: PENG Chen, Producer: YANG Xiaoyin

The middle-aged man WU comes to the sea where his wife drowned, and salvages his "zombified" daughter, which triggers a series of horrifying incidents.

Comments: Elements such as shipwreck, diving, and marine distress, as well as images of confined spaces, gaps between reality and fantasy, and the deep sea, are well arranged to present a thriller. The work is relatively mature and highly potential.

LOVE IN THE 1990S
Director: Charlotte CHEN, Producer: HUANG Xufeng

In a seaside town of southern China, different characters encounter unexpected changes due to a murder.

Comments: The film is distinctive in the times and texture, with symbolic characters. Rendered with a restrained touch, it arouses long-lasting reflection, and offers strong artistic vibes.

SIFF NEXT

SIFF NEXT is a separate session for the incubation of new talents at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Shifting the focus from projects to new filmmaking individuals, the program is designed to offer more targeted support for them to enter the industry and complete their first or second feature films. SIFF NEXT is divided into two phases, held respectively in June – during the SIFF, and December each year. In Phase I, shortlisted members will participate in the main activities of the "Training Workshop", Film Panorama and SIFForum to acquire film festival experience and also communicate with domestic first-line film workers to expand industry resources, enrich practical experience, and prepare for the development of new projects. Phase II will be held in December after SIFF. The organizing committee will call for the entry of feature film projects and draft scripts from the finalists, and select about 6 projects to enter the “Development Workshop” of this Phase. Senior film workers will be invited as instructors to provide in-depth targeted guidance on script, development, casting, etc. for the shortlisted projects. And they will select 1-2 projects as the finalists for the SIFF Project in the following year.

SIFF NEXT 2020 Phase I

Application
Director ｜ Screenwriter ｜ Producer

Time
2020.02.15-2020.03.15
February 15 – March 15, 2020