What exactly can define young filmmakers? As all things on earth come back to life in the sunny days of spring, the 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) introduced the main promo video, A Practical Handbook for Young Filmmakers, for the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program. With its ingenious wit and boundless imagination, the promo video peels back the layers to expose the vivid characteristics of the young filmmakers, showcasing the compelling power of their ardor. It is reported that the offline movie week for the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program is set to kick off soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

The video below is sourced from 

　　the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program

▍An emerging director collaborates with young actors to bring forth a groundbreaking and exhilarating production

Featuring emerging director Chen Xinyan and young actors Zhang Yishan and Wang Qiang, the promo video, A Practical Handbook for Young Filmmakers, bring to light the vitality and creativity unique to the industry's rising stars. This promo video employs a witty and imaginative narrative to present the viewpoint of the "RF LAB" in observing the species of young filmmakers. It showcases their unique characteristics: an insatiable curiosity, a daring spirit of competition, and countless hours spent watching films. While their vision may be confined and their demeanor is peculiar, they possess a mastery in the techniques of zooming, pulling, tilting, and panning. They are constantly engaged in uncontrolled high-intensity mental activities, causing their brain as a CPU system to overheat. Furthermore, their appearance undergoes changes over time... When viewed from another angle, their stubbornness, superstitions, anxieties, and recklessness can also be interpreted as unwavering determination, sensitivity, and genuine sincerity. The intricate observations have sparked a shared resonance among the young filmmakers.

The inclusion of young actors Zhang Yishan and Wang Qiang has enhanced the appeal of the promo video. Zhang Yishan as a scientist in the promo video is a household name who has left a profound impression with his remarkable portrayals. From his role as Liu Xing in Home with Kids to Qiushui in Shall I Compare You to a Spring Day, Yu Zui the undercover police officer in Yu Zui, Shen Yizhen in A Seven-Faced Man, and Qin Chuan in Once and Forever: The Youth, Zhang Yishan delivered exceptional acting skills and showcased his range and versatility.

　　Studio Photo of A Practical Handbook for Young Filmmakers

Wang Qiang, portraying a researcher in the promo video, is a Youth Ambassador for the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program. As a new face in the public eye in recent years, he has demonstrated his exceptional acting abilities. Wang's acting credits include his collaboration with Zhou Dongyu in the film On the Balcony, where he portrayed Zhang Yingxiong, the protagonist who grows up under the care or, perhaps, overindulgence of parents and elders. He also had a role in the film Liberation as Ge Guichen, a probationary artillery staff member in the People's Liberation Army. In the hit drama series The Hope, he also delivered a remarkable performance as Li Ran. All this demonstrates his prowess, proving that he is eligible to serve as a Youth Ambassador for the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program.

　　Studio Photo of A Practical Handbook for Young Filmmakers

The synergy of such a cooperative combination is aptly in line with the goals of the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program to unearth talented young filmmakers and support them in creating their own works, contributing a surge of new vitality to the Chinese film industry.

▍Embracing the bigger picture by capitalizing on smaller opportunities, ReelFocus consistently invigorates the Chinese film industry with new blood

Initiated by BOSS ZHIPIN, ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program focuses on the excavation and cultivation of student directors and young creators. The program joins hands with colleges and universities at home and abroad to send out invitations to young film and TV creators to seek and support outstanding prospective filmmakers, to inject more fresh blood into Chinese film industry, and cultivate student directors to grow into professionals.

As the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program enters its third year of fostering the aspirations of young filmmakers, its remarkable ability to generate new creative energy is evident for all to see. With the support of ReelFocus, a number of narrative shorts and documentary shorts have garnered recognition and acclaim both locally and globally, resulting in nominations and triumphs at celebrated film festivals. For instance, Roller Coaster, a project selected for the previous edition of Project Pitches, made it to the final stage of the Wide Angle - Asian Short Film Competition at the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The short films Soul of Coal and Pink Flag, both of which are finalists at the previous edition of Project Pitches, were selected for the Main Competition and and FIRST FRAME sections at the 17th FIRST International Film Festival, respectively.

On top of that, the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program holds a broader significance beyond its support for exceptional short films. Leveraging the advantageous platform provided by BOSS ZHIPIN, it has established a pivotal bridge between the film and television industry and aspiring film and TV students. This connection facilitates the recruitment of talented individuals across diverse roles, thus serving as a driving force for industrialization and standardization of the Chinese film industry.

From April 17 to 19, 2024, the ReelFocus Fresh Blood Short Film Program will host a series of exciting offline activities in Huairou District, Beijing. With the presence of prominent industry figures and renowned celebrities, this event promises to be a spectacle that should not be missed.