Chinese and Korean Youth Dream Microfilm Exhibition fuels the dreams of young Chinese filmmakers

On October 18, the ninth China-South Korea Youth Dream Microfilm Festival held its awards ceremony at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing.

Since June, the festival had extended an invitation to young Chinese filmmakers worldwide, resulting in nearly 500 submissions. The organizing committee evaluated the entries based on five criteria: originality, popularity, completeness, technical prowess, and directorial potential, ultimately selecting 20 finalists. After a comprehensive review, films such as “Yuping,” “Cold Valley,” “Eternal Freedom,” “Peace in the Earth,” and “Leaving the Origin” secured the five main awards, while “Special Effects Artist” and “Bang Bang” received the special 4DX award and the CGV Popularity Award, respectively.

Director Huo Jianqi, a member of the judging panel, commented on the winning films, noting that some focused on the mundane aspects of modern life, capturing the warmth and strength of human emotions such as familial and friendly bonds. Others bravely tackled social issues, providing unique perspectives and deep insights into societal phenomena. “Through these works, we are amazed at how young directors capture the subtleties of life through their unique lenses, using cinema as a medium to explore social issues and humanity,” he said.

The event organizers expressed that the festival’s success not only provides a platform for these young filmmakers to showcase their talents but also injects new energy and possibilities into cultural exchanges and collaborations between China and South Korea, fostering mutual learning and advancement in both countries’ film industries.

Established in 2014 and supported by the China Association for International Friendly Contacts and Korea’s CJ Cultural Foundation, the China-South Korea Youth Dream Microfilm Festival aims to discover and cultivate young cinematic talent while promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between the two nations. The festival has become an important platform for young directors to display their skills, drawing widespread attention and active participation from industry professionals and film enthusiasts alike. Notable directors like Wang Xiaoshuai, Huang Jianxin, and Kim Sung-soo have previously been invited to serve as judges.