Professional, Caring, and Fair: Li Shaohong Appointed as Final Jury President for BJIFF's BE SEEN Program
To truly “be seen”, young actors must not only have camera-ready acting skills, but also receive guidance and support from industry veterans from a variety of perspectives. As screen narratives enter an era of diverse coexistence, the actor evaluation system is undergoing a paradigm shift from a single technique to multi-dimensional adaptability.
This year's “BE SEEN Youth Actors Support Program”, the first actor-focused program at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), aims to help actors improve their professional qualities and hone their professional abilities through systematic actor training, thereby creating diverse pathways connecting actors to the film industry. Before young actors take the stage, the comprehensive evaluation system not only provides a multidimensional assessment of their abilities, but also represents a systematic upgrade to China's methodology for evaluating cinematic talent.
The final jury committee for this year's “BE SEEN Program” was officially announced today, and it is led by five iconic figures from the film and television industry: Li Shaohong, Zhao Xiaoding, Mani Fok, Huang Jue, and Qian Zhongyuan. Spanning multiple domains of film creation - including directing, cinematography, talent management, production, and performance - the final jury committee of the BE SEEN Program covers core links of the industry chain. Drawing on decades of refined experience, these experts will provide specialized guidance from a variety of perspectives to help identify talented young actors.
The five judges of this year's BE SEEN Program are all iconic figures in their respective fields: Li Shaohong, a leading figure of China's Fifth Generation directors with over 30 years of experience, is renowned for works like Family Portrait, Blush, and Palace of Desire. She has won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and Locarno International Film Festival. Zhao Xiaoding, an Oscar-nominated cinematographer for House of Flying Daggers, has collaborated with director Zhang Yimou on over ten films, crafting a distinctive visual aesthetic system. Mani Fok, Chief Operating Officer of Emperor Entertainment Group, boasts 25 years of expertise in artist development. She has shaped the careers of over 50 stars, including Nicholas Tse, Joey Yung, and Twins. Huang Jue, an actor celebrated for his versatility, transitioned from arthouse films like Long Day's Journey into Night to mainstream hits like Minning Town. His performances serve as study material for emerging actors. Qian Zhongyuan, a producer behind commercial successes such as Detective Chinatown and Sheep Without a Shepherd, is acclaimed for striking the right balance between market rules and artistic value.
During the final evaluation process, the five judges adhered to professional, fair, and caring principles, conducting comprehensive evaluations of the young actors participating in the interviews. They provided expert feedback on performances and interview techniques, ensuring that each young actor in this final evaluation session had valuable opportunities for growth.
Judges at the Event
During the evaluation process, Li Shaohong, the Final Jury President for the BE SEEN Program, told the actors, “The goal of the BE SEEN Program is to create more opportunities and platforms that tangibly help actors improve their acting skills. We hope that what can be seen is genuine.”
Final judge Zhao Xiaoding said: “The ecosystem in this era is diverse. As long as you excel in your own field, you will definitely be seen.”
Final judge Mani Fok approached from a talent management perspective, noting: “Young actors must embrace challenges. While waiting for opportunities, maintain a balanced mindset and pour your soul into every role. Your day to be seen will undoubtedly come.”
Final judge Qian Zhongyuan, speaking from a professional production perspective, advised: “young actors should step out of their own circles and communicate and learn more from young directors, producers and screenwriters.”
Final judge Huang Jue used his acting experience to advise newcomers: “Set aside the formulaic performances; only those who can truly move people are good actors.”
The list of shortlisted actors was confirmed using real-name scoring and on-site vote counting to ensure the evaluation process was fair and transparent. After intense competition among applicants and meticulous deliberation by the jury, 30 young actors were chosen for the inaugural “BE SEEN Program”. Starting from April 3, the selected young actors will join the BE SEEN intensive training camp and undergo 16 days of closed-door theatrical rehearsals. They will perform for market guests and general audiences during the 15th BJIFF. This is to build a platform to help actors enter the film market. ️
At the Event
During this year's BE SEEN Program·Global Performance Competition, the final jury will maintain an immersive presence to encourage the discovery of actors' potential. They will witness and validate exceptional moments of their acting, while engaging in cross-generational and cross-paradigm dialogues to fundamentally rethink the developmental pathways and evaluation frameworks for young actors.
The final evaluation session was honored by the presence of: Zhang Pimin, Chairman of China Film Fund and Honorary Chairman of the BE SEEN Program; Yan Xiaoming, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of China Film Fund; Zhang Hua, Chief Artistic Director of the BE SEEN Program and Professor at Beijing Film Academy; and Cui Yan, Deputy Executive Director of the BJIFF Organizing Committee Office.
Chairman Zhang Pimin heard a progress report and final evaluation updates from Tian Hua, Head of Film Performance Art Fund of China Film Fund and the BE SEEN Program's initiator. Zhang emphasized: “The BE SEEN Program, with its core mission of cultivating talented young actors to advance industry talent development, represents a highly meaningful initiative. I also want to thank the industry and young actors for their strong support.”
The “BE SEEN Program” emerged as both a precise response to young actors' career pain points and a significant attempt at industry ecosystem innovation. By building a venue for efficient dialogue between the industry, mentors and young actors, the BE SEEN Program transforms isolated sparks of potential into a collective beam, flowing through intergenerational conversations toward the vast galaxy of cinema.
Final Evaluation Venue Partner:
