What is the project?
The Looking China International Youth Film Project was first initiated in 2011, and has taken place for seven consecutive years. It offers opportunities to young filmmakers from foreign countries to use their cameras to display their own unique interpretation of China. By the end of 2017, a total of 405 young people from 49 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and France had produced 404 short films, which had won nearly 100 awards at foreign and domestic film festivals.
Themed "ecology, biology and living", this year's program will be held in various areas, including Beijing, Chongqing, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and Liaoning, Hubei, and Jiangsu provinces.
This year marked the third time that Ordos has hosted the program. Over the past two years, 11 directors from Israel, Pakistan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia have produced more than 10 short films, with some of them winning prizes or being shown at domestic and foreign film festivals. The opportunity to host such an important event has given Ordos an unrivalled opportunity to promote itself around the world.
Attendees at the ceremony pose for a photograph. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
What will they film in Ordos?
During the program, the filmmakers will be divided into 10 groups and go to various areas in the city to shoot their films. According to the previous news release, the young filmmakers will make videos on topics including "herdsman photographer", "secret area Sarah Wusu", "Sid and Joan", "horse culture", "green Chinese dream", and "Whistling Dune Bay".
After 17 days, every participant will have made a 10-miniute video to be premiered on July 16 and be entered into the program contest.
What was filmed previously in Inner Mongolia?
In 2016, six films were produced by young filmmakers (click the name of the film to watch the video):
1. Mongolian Bride by Danielle Sharon from Israel
Danielle Sharon from Israel. [Photo/WeChat account of HiOrdos]