Young Director Support Program to cover overseas Chinese film talents

Veteran director Tian Zhuangzhuang (left) and young film director Bai Xue (right) attend an occasion marking the "Young Shoots" program's fourth year in Beijing on November 21, 2018.[Photo provided to China Plus]

"Young Shoots," an annual program initiated by the Chinese government to support young film directors, will expand to support film talents who reside in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and even overseas.

The program helps young directors raise money and recruit casts. Celebrities have also been invited to be mentors and provide professional training.

Wang Hongwei is the head of the program committee. While marking the occassion of the program's fourth year, Wang also revealed the short, medium and long-term goals of the program.

"Our short-term goal is help excellent young directors with their maiden film project and make it happen smoothly. Our medium target is cultivating the next generation of filmmakers who will support and prosper in the Chinese film market. In the long run, we hope this program will boost the progress made in Chinese movies."

Young film director Bai Xue expressed her gratitude.

"It took me 38 days to shoot my first film The Crossing. Fortunately it opened the Discovery section of this year's Toronto International Film Festival. It is 'Young Shoots' program organizers that recommended my film to the Toronto film festival. With their assistance, my first endeavor gained much wider exposure."

The China Film Directors' Guild launched the annual "Young Shoots" program in 2015.

In addition to film festivals and the government, several industry veterans and film studios are also active in this effort, including The Dome Studio, which was founded by A-list stars Chen Kun, Zhou Xun and Taiwan filmmaker Chen Kuo-fu.

Veteran director Feng Xiaogang (left) and Tian Zhuangzhuang (right) attend an occasion marking the "Young Shoots" program's fourth year in Beijing on November 21, 2018. [Photo provided to China Plus]