Shanxi festival opens new doors for filmmakers

A Firecracker Story by Hao Zhizi and The Cuckoos by Merhaba Israyil shared the Grand Jury Prize. Hush-Hush, Forest director Cheng Lang was crowned Best Director. The Loneliest Whale in the World scooped Best Screenplay and Intimate Distance Best Cinematography.

"The 86358 Jia Village Film Week is an important platform where filmmakers and film lovers meet and exchange ideas," said jury president Mei Feng. "It's also playing an increasingly important role in discovering young talents for the Chinese cinema."

"We aim to build 86358 Jia Village Film Week into a bridge that brings together young filmmakers and help them make like-minded friends," said the fest founder Jia Zhangke, adding that the festival is also committed to directing more attention from the cinema industry to short films, from which many successful filmmakers embark on a journey to making their first feature-length films.