▍ Introduction: Passing the Torch, Empowering New Talents
Under the guidance of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) Organizing Committee and initiated by BOSS Zhipin, the 15th BJIFF Short Film Unit - ReelFocus Fresh Blood Project will hold its final selection, awards ceremony, project pitch sessions, and other events during the film festival. This year's project takes “The Right People in the Right Industries” as its core theme, focusing on the discovery and empowerment of new talents in the film and television industry. It seeks to establish a dialogue bridge between the new generation of creators and top-tier industry resources, allowing every creative spark to shine in the long river of cinematic art and transforming every youthful passion into everlasting stars on the silver screen.
Chen Jianbin, a veteran film artist, chairs this year's judging committee. He will form a diverse judging committee with four industry representatives (listed alphabetically): Cui Rui, Liang Jing, Rao Xueman, and Tan Jianci. With their extensive industry experience and professional industry perspective, they will offer precise guidance to young creators, fostering the incubation of high-quality works and the growth of emerging talents.
▍ Announcement: Authority Assembled to Guide Fresh Blood
Chen Jianbin - Actor, Screenwriter, and Director.
Chen Jianbin is an acclaimed Chinese actor, screenwriter, and director. He has over 30 years of experience in drama, film, and television. His representative works Qiao's Grand Courtyard and Empresses in the Palace have won multiple authoritative awards. His directorial debut A Fool earned him the Golden Rooster Awards for Best Directorial Debut, and his screenwriting work The Eleventh Chapter claimed the Best Screenplay honor at the BJIFF's Tiantan Awards.
Chen Jianbin benefited from the support and help of industry veterans in his youth, and their torch-passing spirit inspired him to commit to nurturing new filmmakers. He is now willing to use himself as a torch to light the way for newcomers. He hopes to use his over 30 years of industry experience to help young people without reservation. Firmly believing that “the future of the film industry needs fresh blood”, he strives to pass down the support and help he once received from veterans, helping the “right people” shine on “the right tracks”.
Cui Rui - Director.
Young director Cui Rui graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. His short films To Pimp a Butterfly and Free Choice have won multiple awards at home and abroad. His representative film Lost in the Stars was nominated for the “Tiantan Award” at the 13th BJIFF and became a dark horse in the market due to its suspenseful narrative.
His first feature film was endorsed by veteran directors and broke through from short film competitions to theatrical production. His keyword is “persistence” and he quotes his favorite movie line: “The most you can do is all you can do.” He demonstrated through his own actions that the “right” industry allows prepared newcomers to no longer fight alone.
Liang Jing - Producer, Executive Producer, and Actress.
As an actress, Liang Jing has won many honors for her artistic talent and solid and superb acting skills. In recent years, she has also worked behind the scenes as an investor, executive producer, and producer on films that have redefined box office and critical success, including The Eight Hundred, My People, My Country, and The Sacrifice. Her production Black Dog received the “Un Certain Regard” award at the Cannes Film Festival, and her new works, such as Dongji Island, continue to push industry boundaries.
Liang Jing, who has progressed from screen performer to industry architect, has expanded her professional horizons by breaking barriers while demonstrating talent-scouting skills for emerging creators. Since the inception of her production company, she has prioritized the development of more exceptional new directors. With her team expanding and the company thriving, Liang Jing is using practical actions to provide a stage for the “right people” to display their talents.
Rao Xueman - Writer and Screenwriter.
Rao Xueman has published over 60 novels. Her works, including The Left Ear, Reversed Destiny, and The Farewell Song series, are popular among young people. She is known as a leading figure in youth literature. Her screenwriting ventures, such as The Left Ear and Somewhere Winter, have achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim. She has discovered many current popular film and television stars.
As a pioneer of “literary-to-screen”, Rao Xueman personally selects “book models” for her works, discovering many rising stars in the film and television industry. With a keen eye for performers genuinely passionate about acting and committed to honing their craft, she has consistently nurtured talent for the film and television industry. Her continuous creation and voice have resonated throughout the industry, and she came here to ensure that the voices of young creators are heard by the market and the general public.
Tan Jianci - Actor.
As a young actor, Tan Jianci gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Shen Yi in the crime drama Under the Skin. He further showcased his acting prowess in subsequent works like Lost You Forever, Go East, and Filter. In 2024, Tan Jianci's leading role as Bai Xiaoyu - a drifting youth confronting emotional and existential dilemmas in the film I Miss You - resonated deeply with contemporary young audiences through authentic performances. His upcoming film, CODA -The Voice of Justice, focuses on marginalized groups in society and advocates for social justice.
Tan Jianci, a representative of post-90s actors who have both artistic integrity and popularity, is infusing fresh and profound artistic expression into Chinese-language film and television works with his consistently groundbreaking creative vision. “Persistence is always a cool thing.” He also demonstrated through practice that opportunities always favor the well-prepared.
▍ Vision: Precision Empowerment, Passion Forges the Future
The ReelFocus Fresh Blood Project has always believed that “The Right People in the Right Industries” is the cornerstone of industry prosperity. The ReelFocus Fresh Blood Project offers “one-stop” growth support to young filmmakers via a mentorship system, financial support, and project incubation, creating “precise direct recruitment” in the film and television industry. We hope that this year's project will serve as a microcosm of the industry's legacy, where wisdom passes to new generations, allowing every belief in the “right” to take root in the “right industries”, and allowing young filmmakers to collaborate with industry leaders to co-create a golden future for Chinese film and television.
When the torch of inheritance meets the tide of our times, the surging fresh blood charts the future frontiers of Chinese film and television. The ReelFocus Fresh Blood Project invites you to join this journey - let every belief in the "right" find its echo!
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