Film salon discusses cultivation of young talent

The 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival held a salon on the growth and cultivation of young filmmakers and actors on Tuesday.

It drew award-winning director Diao Yinan, who serves as jury president of the festival’s SIFF Project, filmmaker and actor Xu Zheng and actress Song Jia.

Xu said filmmaking is a complicated process from incubation to distribution. An experienced producer will play an important part in the process.

“I have seen some young people hoping to be a director just after writing several scripts,” Xu added. “In fact it takes time and patience to be a good director.”

Director and actor Huang Bo is now also a film producer. Over the years, he has been dedicated to fostering and supporting young film directors.

“One day the young directors will become the mainstay of the industry,” Huang said. 

Diao spoke highly of the entries for this year’s SIFF Project which, he said, gives young directors a rare opportunity to learn about the film market and exchange ideas.

Actress Song encouraged young directors to bravely express themselves, because their sincerity and enthusiasm will also influence people around them.