Young Chinese directors compete for 1-million yuan award

A total of ten young directors, half of whom received an overseas education, are now competing for a one-million yuan government award, which they will use to make their debut film.

A stage is set for ten young Chinese directors to compete for a 1-million yuan award in Beijing on April 2, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Before entering this competition, they have received a four-month-long training from "Young Shoots," an annual program initiated by the Chinese government to support young film directors.

The China Film Director's Guild arranged veteran directors to coach them within the "Young Shoots" framework. Fu Jia is the supervisor of this program.

"We aim to give young directors guidance to prevent them from wasting any time and energy before they enter the industry. The director's guild shares a similar goal with the Beijing International Film Festival in helping build a qualified talent pool that enables the Chinese film industry to grow. Last year, two Young Shoots programs obtained awards at a meeting of film investors scheduled by the film festival authorities."

Renowned veteran director Xie Fei is the chairman of Young Shoots.

"In addition to experiences and artistic attainment, young directors also need a platform which may connect them with the film industry and give them opportunities to display their talents. So I'm glad to chair this program."

Five winners of the ten competitors will each gain an award of one million yuan or 150 thousand US dollars to develop their film projects.

In addition to directors, screenwriters and producers aged between 18 to 38 years old, this year's "Young Shoots" program also expands to cover actors and actresses.