YOUNG FILM PROJECT · Beijing: Press Conference
The forum titled "The Present and the Distance—The Boundary-Breaking and Rebirth of Cinema" officially opened. Hosted by the organizing committee of the YOUNG FILM PROJECT and co-organized by the School of Media, Shandong University of Arts, the Film and Television Criticism Professional Committee of the Chinese Universities Film Association, and the Shandong Taishan Scholars Young Expert Team, the event received academic system support from the Peking University Film and Drama Research Center. It brought together leading industry forces to form an innovation and development platform that deeply connects academic research with industrial practice.
The forum aimed to approach the current state of cinema from different perspectives and discuss its future together. It featured prominent film and television industry experts including Jiang Ping, Chen Xuguang, Zhang Ali, Song Fagang, and Cai Shangjun, and was hosted by senior media personality Yu Yaqin. Exploring pathways for film creation and industrial development from multiple dimensions—such as creation, industry, technology, and audiences—the forum combined personal experience to inspire the many young attendees.
Forum guests
Jiang Ping
President of China's Xia Yan Film Society; National First-Class Director; Senior Film Producer.
With decades of industry experience, he has analyzed the fluctuations in the Chinese film market over 40 years. He emphasizes that solid screenwriting rooted in life is the foundation of successful films. His produced or supervised works have won numerous awards, including the "Five-One Project" Award, Hundred Flowers Award, and Golden Rooster Award. Representative works he has been involved in include Kangxi Dynasty, The Wandering Earth, and Wolf Warrior 2.
Cai Shangjun
Director, Screenwriter, Producer
An internationally acclaimed filmmaker. His directorial debut, The Red Awn(2007), won Best Film at the 48th Thessaloniki Film Festival. He won the Best Director Silver Lion at the 68th Venice International Festival for People Mountain People Sea(2011). His recent film The Day the Sun Hung High(2025) was selected in competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. He also wrote screenplays for Shower(1999) and Sunflower(2005).
Yu Yaqin
Senior Media Professional, Film Critic, Curator
A seasoned media professional and film critic known for her cultural reporting and criticism. She has served as a curator and jury member for various film festivals. In this forum, she acted as the host, connecting the dialogue with a unique and acute perspective.
Chen Xuguang
Professor at Peking University's Academy of Arts; Director of the Peking University Film and Drama Research Center; Chang Jiang Scholar Distinguished Professor
A leading scholar in film theory, particularly in emerging areas like film-game integration and "imagination consumption." He analyzes market changes and advocates for young filmmakers to leverage new technologies like AI and cross-media strategies for innovation, while cautioning not to neglect humanistic emotions and the essence of storytelling.
Zhang Ali
Professor and Dean of the Northwest University Film School; Chairman of the Shaanxi Provincial Literary and Art Critics Association; Vice President of the Chinese Universities Film Association
A professor specializing in film and television studies, particularly Shaanxi-style TV dramas and Western Chinese cinema. He has presided over multiple National Social Science Fund projects. He emphasizes the core value of classical quality in film creation and advocates a dialectical approach to AI—using the tool while steadfastly upholding humanistic spirit.
Song Fagang
Professor at Shandong University of Arts
A professor with significant standing in both film academia and industry practice, skilled in analyzing audience demands. He examines changes in Chinese movie audience consumption, providing precise feedback and strategic suggestions to industry practitioners on adapting to these diverse changes from macro, meso, and micro perspectives.
Cai Shangjun
Chinese mainland director Cai Shangjun believes that filmmakers must summon their courage to tell stories imbued with simple human emotions in the age of AI. Facing the challenges of artificial intelligence, Director Cai’s words offered profound inspiration to everyone present: "The most crucial thing in this era is to return to the essence, to engage in deep introspection, and to contemplate what distinguishes us as humans from AI. What remains? Creativity, imagination, empathic ability, the capacity for ethical and moral judgment, self-critical awareness, and, most importantly, the depth and breadth of emotion, as well as the ability to connect emotions with the world."
Director Cai expressed concern about the general flattening of people’s thinking and perceptive abilities in the short-video era. He worries that if people cease to think rationally and make judgments, AI or artificial intelligence will inevitably surpass humans in certain aspects. Cai Shangjun left a message for the "YOUNG FILM PROJECT," encouraging young filmmakers to remain sharp and pure, emphasizing that making a film is a burning of one’s life.
After participating in several project pitching events, Director Cai expressed mixed feelings. On one hand, he is delighted to see more young, fresh topics and emotions being expressed in the works of young creators. On the other hand, he has observed that the so-called successful formulas promoted by the market and investors have, to some extent, influenced these young filmmakers, leading to a certain trend of following the crowd.
Jiang Ping
Chinese film market and box office fluctuations are a normal phenomenon. Looking back, Chinese cinema has experienced very glorious and prosperous periods. "In previous years, especially during the 2017-2019 period, the box office and market were particularly strong, with continuous growth in the number of cinemas and films. But even then, we were concerned about the hidden problems behind the prosperity," Jiang Ping recalled. "At that time, everyone wanted to make movies, thinking they could make a fortune through film. But I said, 'Remember, not everyone is cut out for a career in film; you must clearly assess your own capabilities.'"
Jiang Ping conveyed his message to the "Young Film Project": As the new generation replaces the old, it is crucial to tell Chinese stories well. For creators, the market is uncontrollable, and the only constant truth is to "make a good film." As for how to make a good film, Jiang Ping believes the foremost priority remains "telling a good story." "No matter how AI develops, without a good story, it's impossible to attract audiences to the cinema. Just as Mr. Xia Yan once said, 'The script is the root. Only by deepening the roots and making them fertile can the tree grow lush and leafy.'"
Chen Xuguang
Professor Chen Xuguang from Peking University responded by empathizing with the somewhat pessimistic outlook of some creators today: "The times are changing, and technology is becoming increasingly advanced and sophisticated.
Nowadays, virtual reality films have also been recognized as an important category of cinema, triggering profound changes in the very concept of what a film is. At the same time, it is also influencing the way filmmakers think, and the production process of films is undergoing transformation, requiring us to learn and adapt. However, it is reassuring that young filmmakers have a natural symbiosis with new technologies."
Professor Chen conveyed his message to the "Young Film Project": The future of cinema lies in the youth. In his view, emerging AI technologies should empower creators, helping them go further and broader. "Any technology can be utilized, but we must always remain vigilant. The use of new technologies should always be people-oriented and serve our purposes, ultimately 'surpassing the teacher'."