Young filmmakers are an important driving force behind the development of Chinese film industry in the future. In order to scout, introduce and cultivate a group of young film talents who are compatible with Shanghai’s construction of a global film and television production center, the SIFF YOUNG X Shanghai Young Filmmaker Support Program, guided by the Shanghai Film Bureau, is jointly initiated by the Shanghai International Film Festival and Marché du Film. The program is aimed at training outstanding young film leaders with national influence, and incubate notable Shanghai works that carry the spirit of the times, promote mainstream values, tell Chinese stories and innovate film aesthetics. Together with Shanghai’s support policies, it is hoped to attract more special young filmmakers to settle in Shanghai.
SIFF YOUNG X Shanghai Young Filmmaker Support Program is referred to as SIFF YOUNG. As the only international A-list film festival in China, the Shanghai International Film Festival is positioned to target "Asia, Chinese, and newcomers" and has long been concerned about the growth and development of young filmmakers. By exploring a long-term support mechanism, it takes on the responsibility of fostering talents for the Chinese film industry. SIFF YOUNG will give full play to the platform effect of the Shanghai International Film Festival, seek and support outstanding young filmmakers, and offer them opportunities to go to overseas established film festivals, so as to promote industrial exchanges and resource sharing and give young filmmakers a stage to show themselves. With official promotion at the Shanghai International Film Festival and media exposure at home and abroad, their subsequent works will also be supported, so that the international market gets to know how new Chinese films look like.
Shanghai has always been a fertile ground for young filmmakers. SIFF YOUNG will also establish a cultivation system, set up special funds, issue matching policies, and ensure the implementation based on the valuable international platform of the Shanghai International Film Festival. SIFF YOUNG will be linked with a series of solid support policies for the film and television industry issued by the Shanghai government, including providing whole-process financial support for follow-up projects and encouraging young filmmakers to settle in Shanghai, aiming to provide a set of guarantee systems covering the entire industry chain for young filmmakers selected to SIFF YOUNG, from script approval, location scouting and shooting, post-production, to participation in domestic and foreign film festivals.
At the same time, by attracting and gathering a group of outstanding new filmmakers in Shanghai, SIFF YOUNG will further improve Shanghai’s film talent cultivation landscape during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), protect the originality of cultural and artistic works, speed up the establishment a Global Film and Television Creation Center, make a name for “Shanghai Culture”, and help create a cultural metropolis with more innovative vitality, more humanistic care, more contemporary charm, and more influence in the world.
The launch of SIFF YOUNG, after more than a year of detailed discussion and careful preparation, has been fully supported by Marché du Film, which is the world's most influential film industry event with tens of thousands of film professionals attending every year. More than 70% of the world’s film transactions are conducted at the market. It is an excellent platform for overseas sales and distribution, display and presentation, and promotion and exchanges.
Speaking of SIFF YOUNG, Marché du Film executive Director Jérôme Paillard said: “I am very happy to witness the cooperation between the Marché du Film and the Shanghai International Film Festival this year. Young Chinese filmmakers have a wealth of passion, talent and creativity, and they are an indispensable force in the world's film industry. The Marché du Film hopes to help more talented young Chinese filmmakers through the SIFF YOUNG. It also wishes that both of us can develop closer cooperation and exchanges. Looking forward to the announcement of the final list of filmmakers this year, I hope to see more excellent films from China.”
SIFF YOUNG selects candidates on a nomination basis. The organizing committee will invite professional institutions and individuals such as well-known film companies, famous directors, producers, and representatives of overseas distributors to nominate eligible young filmmakers, conduct preliminary and final selections by invited judges, and determine the list of young filmmakers selected for the first session.
The filmmakers selected will be invited to attend the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival in June this year, and participate in the world’s largest film trade fair based on the actual situation at the time of the Cannes Film Festival this year. They will have official promotion and presentation opportunities for overseas industry guests and the media, encouraging more young filmmakers to go abroad and tell genuine Chinese stories on the world stage.
According to the charter, the young Chinese filmmakers sought and supported by SIFF YOUNG in 2021 must have positive energy, a global view, and a distinctive attitude, be under the age of 45, and have directed no more than three full-length features or animated films (The duration should be no less than 70 minutes).
The young filmmakers sought and supported by the SIFF YOUNG in 2021 must meet the following requirements:
1. Chinese nationals;
2. Have positive energy, a global view, and a distinctive attitude;
3. Under the age of 45 (including 45);
4. Have directed no more than 3 feature or animated films (The duration should be no less than 70 minutes);
5. Candidates who have feature film projects under development or production will be given priority.
SIFF YOUNG X Shanghai Young Filmmaker Support Program
For more information about the program, please log on to the official website of the Shanghai International Film Festival www.siff.com, and find it in the SIFF YOUNG section.
Contact:
SIFF YOUNG X Shanghai Young Filmmaker Support Program Work Group
Email: young@siff.com
Tel: 021-2200 9843
(Working hours: 11 am to 5 pm on weekdays)