On January 30, the 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) Project Pitches Training Camp came to a successful close. At the closing ceremony, Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi was joined by Chief Producer and Production Mentor Jojo Hui Yuet-chun, Acting Mentor Ma Sichun, Script Mentor Chen Shu, Cinematography Mentor Liao Ni, Production Design Mentor Sun Li, Editing Mentor Zhang Yibo, Acting Advisor Liu Tianchi, and Sound Advisor Wang Chong. Together with the selected trainees, they reflected on the intensive, inspiring creative journey of the past two weeks.

Looking back on the Greenlight Session, Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi called the projects "surprisingly" rich, while Chief Producer and Production Mentor Jojo Hui Yuet-chun praised the overall quality as "very high". She highlighted Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi's deep commitment, noting that his dedication reflects a genuine concern for the future of Chinese cinema. She also emphasized: "Our responsibility is to help Chinese films go further."

When discussing their expectations for debut directors' feature-length scripts, several mentors shared their perspectives from different angles. Acting Mentor Ma Sichun stated that she pays more attention to whether the characters are well-developed. She also admitted that she is often deeply moved by the passion and creative drive of young filmmakers, saying that resonance with them feels "as if we were pursuing the dreams together". Chief Producer and Production Mentor Jojo Hui Yuet-chun emphasized, "First, there has to be a real story - not just an exercise in literary style. Second, you need to connect emotionally with the characters." Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi, drawing from his own creative experience, encouraged young filmmakers. He acknowledged that initial scripts are rarely perfect and advised them not to lose confidence due to criticism. He specifically reminded them, "Don't take every piece of criticism personally - producers, actors, and every key creators have their own pressures and perspectives." His words not only eased the creators' anxiety but also offered them sincere support.

Faced with trainees' confusion about whether to persist when their desired projects receive no attention, Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi offered a candid and pragmatic response, "Since you've decided to survive in this industry, you can't pin everything on one project. You need to hunt for opportunities like a beast - always have multiple projects in play." Using common industry phenomena as an example, he pointed out that many people uphold their ideals while also engaging with various projects to stay afloat. He further encouraged young filmmakers, "Persistence matters, but in tough times, you have to be a little wild. Keep shooting, keep experimenting. When an opening appears, charge like 'a hungry wolf' and seize it. That's how you carve your own path." Chief Producer and Production Mentor Jojo Hui Yuet-chun added from an equally pragmatic perspective: "Filmmaking is about constant practice. Very few careers are built on a single project." She advised new directors to learn to adapt their thinking flexibly: "If you don't film it now, there will still be opportunities in the future. This won't be the only one in your life."

On the practical challenge of project implementation, mentors shared proven "shortcuts" for attracting investment. Chief Mentor Rao Xiaozhi suggested that young creators could proactively approach actors: "Sometimes, by directly reaching out to your desired actor, if they are willing to join, the chances of getting the project greenlit rise dramatically." Chief Producer and Production Mentor Jojo Hui Yuet-chun added, "In fact, most independent films in Hollywood start precisely by seeking out actors." Acting Mentor Ma Sichun also revealed that young directors had approached her with projects in the past. After mutual interest in collaboration was established, the directors leveraged her involvement to attract investment. Drawing from her own experience, she shared with everyone, "This is indeed a good path as well."

　　

　　

　　

Subsequently, the event announced the honors: the three short films 0 Decibels, The Princess and Bajie, and The Sound of Sorcery were rated as "Final Selection Short Films for Production", while Selection Day won the "Media Recommended Project" award. Pan Xiwen, Senior Marketing Director of Beijing Youhaoxi Network Technology Co., Ltd., stated on-site that the company would provide certain financial support for Selection Day. All four short films will now move forward into actual production.

　　

　　

　　

Started officially in 2021, and assisted and guided by a professional mentor group, the BJIFF Project Pitches Training Camp organizes intensive creation and shooting guidance for the enlisted trainees, so as to provide young filmmakers with a specialized film learning platform and a channel for fast growth. This year's Project Pitches Training Camp retained core courses in producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and production design while introducing new modules in acting, color grading, and sound design. The expanded curriculum now covers the entire filmmaking pipeline - from script to post-production - equipping trainees with the comprehensive expertise needed to elevate project quality and market potential.

The certificates handed out are more than a conclusion - they mark the start of a lasting connection to the BJIFF and the beginning of each trainee's professional journey. From alumni like Zhou Jinghao to the new cohort of trainees, the BJIFF Project Pitches Training Camp continues to serve as a bridge between raw creativity, industry resources, and market opportunities, helping young filmmakers bring their cinematic dreams to life.