The first "BJIFF TALENTS” came to a conclusion successfully yesterday. Four short films were premiered in the cinema and screened on iQIYI "Online Exhibition" for more audiences. The director Leste Chen, as the producer of BJIFF TALENTS, posted an affectionate essay on Weibo about his thought and experience during the participate of the BJIFF TALENTS. His essay was full of the recognition and encouragement for the young directors, the affirmation and appreciation for the BJIFF TALENTS as well as his sincere wishes and blessings for the future of Chinese films. 

 

Since the first gathering in the film history, hundreds of film festivals, large or small, have been held every year in the world. As a young rising star, the Beijing International Film Festival keeps forging ahead to make constant improvement and evolution based on the achievements last year. The first-ever “BJIFF TALENTS” held this year was the exploitation of a new field for the Beijing International Film Festival.

 

Although it is not an eye-catching section in a large international film festival, the professionalism and enthusiasm have been fully revealed in many details. As Leste Chen, has said, “A real large international film festival, apart from presenting honors and expanding social influence of films, I believe that it is more important to cultivate the newcomers.” Through the BJIFF TALENTS, a seed of film has been planted which will also broaden the space and reserve more possibilities for the future development of films. 

 

As director Leste Chen has said, the word "newcomer" full of vitality is very eye-catching. Over the past 11 years, the Beijing International Film Festival has been developing side by side with Chinese films and filmmakers. For the filmmakers, the newcomers will cut different film-watching experiences from different perspectives based on the predecessors’ experience; for the film festival, the newcomers will create an opportunity for exchange and exhibition of film innovation based on the inherence of the classics. 

 

The “BJIFF TALENTS”, in which director Leste Chen served as the producer, provided enough space for the young directors to learn and to make mistakes. While teaching them the professional skills, the instructors also shared their own experience in the industry with the youngsters so as to reduce their chances of failures and detours, provide vigorous creative for Chinese films and make the BJIFF a solid stepping stone for the young filmmakers.

 

A total of four short films of the BJIFF TALENTS were screened at iQiyi “Online Exhibition”: The Tigher Within directed by Huang Xiaopeng, Angle directed by Chen Yujia, The Cage directed by Chen Linpeng and Lausanne directed by Zhou Jinghao. As the generation of the post-90s, all the four creators are very professional in control of film language. In their short films, we can find the different ideas on thematic expression, storytelling and genre selection. The fearlessness creative courage has brought great surprises and freshness during the process of film-watching. 

 

Leste Chen said, ”It’s the real significance of BJIFF TALENTS to plant a seed of new life for films. With the time goes by, the talents of young directors and the joint efforts of film festival teams will eventually get thrived.” The four short films of the first BJIFF TALENTS will also be screened at iQIYI “Online Exhibition”, where the fans can witness how the seed of new life for films spouts and grows. The BJIFF will also continue to support new forces in film industry, so that more excellent films and filmmakers will be seen by more people.