One of the “Everlasting Film Festival” series—“Young Chinese Screenwriters Workshop” & Night of Young Filmmakers was successfully held at Langyuan Station on June 30. Zhang Ji, renowned director and screenwriter, Su Biao, famous screenwriter, Jiu Yin, young screenwriter, Zhao Siying, young director and screenwriter, Xie Da, young screenwriter, and Qiu Shengbin, young screenwriter, attended the event as panelists. Apart from them, the workshop also invited young creators that once participated in the BJIFF Project Pitches, Forward Future, and ReelFocus Program. During the event, they shared their filmmaking experience, brainstormed creation, experienced the relaxing and fun vibe that the BJIFF prepared for young creators present at the Night of Young Filmmakers, and exchanged their ideas about future filmmaking.

During the workshop, panelists had in-depth exchanges and discussions about topics, such as personal creative experience, creative inspiration, how to tell everyday stories through films, and how to connect with the audience.

As Zhang Ji, renowned director and writer, mentioned, creators should remain keen about social trends and popular mindsets so as to make films that meet the audience’s needs. He emphasized that it’s necessary to pursue the ultimate when they write screenplays, and they should keep improving their writing skills and creative level, and make more exciting and compelling narration. Moreover, he indicated that creators that should bear marketing in mind, and think about the audience’s preferences and needs in the process of creation, potential market opportunities and trends so that they can make right decisions. He also encouraged creators to pay attention to social changes and young people’s values, and create more timely relevant works.

According to famous screenwriter Su Biao, creators should work hard on their screenplays, and conduct keen observation of the audience. As he explained, there is room for improvement for creators while China’s film industry is thriving, such as a lack of professional training and command of the basics. In his opinion, being a form of art, films should stay ahead of the audience in terms of thoughts, aesthetics and expression, instead of following the trends blindly.

Jiu Yin, young screenwriter, explained that creators should be able to capture current events, trending topics and local policies. And Zhao Siying, young director and screenwriter, thought the film is a form of art that expresses personal feelings, attitudes and opinions. She hoped that there would be more films about humanistic care and other topics. According to her, creators can make themselves visible to senior creators by participating in the Project Pitches and similar platforms, and thereby gaining success in screenplay writing. Young screenwriter Xie Da and Qiu Shengbin shared their creative experience. In their opinion, creators should love their job so that they can keep forging ahead.

Jiu Yin, young screenwriter

Zhao Siying, young director and screenwriter

 

Xie Da, young screenwriter

 

Hao Jie, Deputy Director of the BJIFF Organizing Committee Office, addressed the workshop, and explained that in recent years, the BJIFF has built a ladder system to cultivate new talents, continued to discover and train young talents and works, and attached great importance to young film talents. During the BJIFF, young filmmakers are able to be part of the entire process from short film section to the competition section. However, a few days of events and activities are far from enough for young filmmakers. In order to enable young filmmakers to have deeper connection and exchanges with industry insiders in person, the BJIFF plans to host exchange activities throughout the year, and help young filmmakers expand their space to grow. What’s more, the BJIFF cultivation system proposes six major directions, namely BJIFF Class, talks with university professors and leading industry professionals, promotion of “film and TV loans”, sessions regarding the Beijing Culture Guiding Fund, and Q&As for application and registration for overseas film festivals and exhibitions.

The “Young Chinese Screenwriters Workshop” & Night of Young Filmmakers offered a valuable exchange platform for young screenwriters, and enabled them to learn from panelists’ experience and views and improve their creative capabilities.

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