The significance of Project Pitches is not only about selection and competition, but also about the value of “being seen”. Many screenwriters and directors presented their works to the judges and industry colleagues with inspiration drawn from life and a passion for telling stories. What they expect is not just the result, but a true listening and understanding, an exchange and collision of creative ideas. It can be said that the most moving gains in Project Pitches are the encouragement of “being seen” and the resonance of “being understood”.

Every young filmmaker who walks into the Project Pitches site brings not only a script, but also a private and sincere expression. The journey of creation is long and winding, with many challenges yet to come. Fortunately, predecessors are leading the way, so that later generations can set sail to the other side of the dream.

At the final review roadshow of Project Pitches, the judges often came straight to the point and answered the most pressing questions during the question-and-answer session: “What kind of help do you need?” At that moment, it seemed that they were not simply selecting excellent projects for the film festival Project Pitches, but were more concerned about the future and fate of the projects and the cast & crew.

With his solid professional ability and keen business sense, Director Chen Sicheng has guided many project creators to open their minds, embrace team collaboration, and find creative routes that match each attractive story core. Similarly, when facing each project, Director Chen Sicheng always asks about the other party's current progress and needs with concern. When negotiating projects such as Giant Salamander, Starting Towards the Finish Line, Wind, and The Last Comfort Women, he promised the project producers to assist with the post-production of the film with an almost chivalrous frankness. This substantial encouragement and funding undoubtedly provide more possibilities for the implementation of several projects, but Chen Sicheng himself modestly said, “It is just a small contribution to China's independent films and independent creators.”

Yet Chen Sicheng offered his support without the slightest air of seniority. Moved by the music and sample films of the project Wind, he proposed an “exchange” to the project's cast & crew: “I'll handle the post-production for you. I really love this track- If I use it in one of my movies some day, would you back me up for free?” Behind these words is the respect and support for young filmmakers. This is not a simple gift, but a “mutual assistance among peers” completed with young filmmakers on an equal footing.

The screenwriter and director Huang Aiyi's The Washing Machines' Guide to the Supreme sparked heated discussions among several judges over the choice between an experimental avant-garde approach and a commercially oriented creative path. Judge Rao Xiaozhi encouraged her to explore first in the form of a drama: “You can come to our theater to rehearse a play first. By working with the actors in the form of a play, you may find more interesting, new ideas and changes, as your current genre and scale can be performed in a single space. We can communicate later.” This methodology of breaking down artistic boundaries has also brought inspiration to many creators.

During the project review session, Judge Dong Runnian cited the example of the classic Film: The Matrix. “Back when The Matrix crew persuaded Warner Bros. to invest, the filmmakers simply put together a rough concept reel. It was their way of showing what they wanted to make. That short video showcased elements that had never been seen in cinema before. It might be something as simple as a transition we've never seen before, or a moment that gives us goosebumps - that could be enough to move an investor.” He encouraged and protected the directors' innovative spirit and gave them directions they could try.

Jojo Hui Yuet-chun

Although Jiang Wen, Jury President of this year's Tiantan Award main competition, was not present at the event, he sent his blessings to the project Giant Salamander through VCR. He hopes that the judges will pay more attention to this work, which is full of personal expression yet difficult to define. There must always be a place in this world that can accommodate a fish that is not good at socializing but swims seriously, and also accommodate those dreams that seem lonely but are always burning.

The stage of Project Pitches has never been a simple selection competition, but a two-way journey. The purpose of the judges and young creators meeting here is not to screen who is “better”, but to help each seed of story find the direction to take root through real exchanges. Projects that can enter the final review roadshow of Project Pitches undoubtedly have great potential. Many judges particularly emphasized the integrity of the script, which is the foundation for the work to take root and grow. But the charm of a good script lies not only in its complete structure, but also in its ability to touch people's hearts. A story comes alive only when heartfelt emotion is woven into a carefully refined structure.

Those highly anticipated projects often receive the most incisive and valuable feedback. From the script to the casting, every detail was carefully considered by the teachers. They not only value the current completion of the work, but also care about its future possibilities. May every story move forward on the most appropriate track, turning the creator's dreams into the reality of light and shadow step by step.

May all those who have expressed themselves with honesty and poured their hearts into their work find their sails on the voyage of Project Pitches.