China-SK festival to help young filmmakers pursue their dreams

At a press conference on Tuesday, organizers for the Chinese-Korean Share Your Dream Short Film Festival announced the festival will be held from October 23-26 in Beijing.

Admissions for the festival's short film competition began on June 6 and ended on August 31. Mainly promoted on campuses, most of the competitors are college students. Over 300 productions will take part in the festival, including films from China, South Korea and countries such as the US.

In addition to the festival itself, filmmakers who make it on the shortlist will have the opportunity to attend classes and study in South Korea in November.

The CJ Group, one of the festival organizers, also said that the work of some finalists may be chosen to become full length TV shows or films.

Fifteen finalists will be selected based on the creativity of their work, and how well they merged the theme of the "Chinese Dream" with their own vision.

"Some filmmakers are focusing on the disappearance of Chinese culture, and some are examining the conflict between older and younger generations, while others are trying to express the thoughts and confusion young people have towards society," said Bryan Jo, corporate Global Business VP for the CJ Group.

Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai, Chinese documentary filmmaker Zhang Tongdao and Korean director Oh Ki-hwan will make up the jury panel.

"Last year, the director of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Li Xiaolin, visited South Korea and pointed out that we should organize an event to help young people in the two countries pursue their film dreams. This festival is the result of that discussion," said Min Hee-kyung, EVP and Global CSV executive director for the CJ Group.