The year 2025 marks the 130th anniversary of the world films and the 120th anniversary of Chinese films. The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) Project Pitches Training Camp is officially inviting young Chinese-speaking film creators from all over the world to participate, harnessing the power of youth creation to explore new expressions in films.

The Project Pitches Training Camp is a Chinese film creation training program organized by the BJIFF Beijing Film Market to further cultivate young film creators with both creative talent and production ability. The program officially started in 2021. It organizes intensive creation and filming for selected participants with the assistance and guidance of a professional mentor team and producers, with the goal of providing young film creators with a platform for professional film learning and a fast track to growth.

Posters of films from previous Project Pitches Training Camps

This recruitment is for young creators in four categories: directors, producers, cinematographers, and art directors. The BJIFF Project Pitches Training Camp will use a brand-new production system to boost the vitality of young creators and bring new blood to the market. The projects and young creators selected for this year’s Project Pitches Training Camp will participate in intensive professional training sessions led by a team of mentors. Creators will have the freedom to form teams and engage in practical project discussions with experienced industry mentors. The mentor team will ultimately select three short films for filming. The BJIFF Organizing Committee Office will provide funding and production team support to assist young creators in bringing their works to life on screen. Finally, the three short films will premiere during the 15th BJIFF, with special industry-oriented screenings and communication events organized by the Beijing Film Market.

Swipe to see behind-the-scenes footage from the Project Pitches Training Camp

Keep Cool, a 1997 film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jiang Wen, vividly captured the streets of Beijing with its extreme style, showing the spirit of the era with an unmatched tone. Each era has its own set of passions, pursuits, conflicts, and confusions. “Keep Cool” is more than just an attitude; it also represents dramatic tension and imagination. The training camp’s short films are themed “Keep Cool”, with the hope that creators will observe the contemporary era and society, integrate their personal experiences, face life with passion, and confront challenges boldly, thus creating short stories that reflect our era.

　　

Still from the film Keep Cool