There are countless ways to take the first step in creation—it could be inspiration, courage, an irrepressible desire to express, or the raw passion of a novice. But no matter what, after taking that first step, the second step for young creators largely converges on the same path: returning to diligent cultivation and rational deliberation, while maintaining an open mind to absorb various signals from the surrounding environment. It is from this step onward that the forces of the industry, the market, and festivals begin to resonate, discerning possible paths to the future from those strides—whether forging ahead or hesitating.
Since its establishment last year, the original intention of the Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp has been to allow creators to perceive more positive forces around them as they take their "second step." Whether it is resource support from the frontlines of the industry, guidance from industry pioneers, or the camaraderie of fellow creators, all of these will form the fertile soil for their future growth.
He Song, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Sanya Media and Film Group, presents the finalist certificates to the Top 15
On August 21 and 22, representatives of this year's Top 15 short film camp projects gathered for the first time to participate in the camp's mentor workshops, gaining intellectual nourishment from different segments of the industry chain: screenwriter A Mei led the creators in deconstructing the flesh and bones of stories to explore their depth; producer Shan Zuolong used the industry changes he has experienced as a thread to jointly seek the answers to "Ten Questions in Ten Years" with everyone; director Anthony Chen recounted the director's required intellectual dimensions at different stages of growth through his creative vision "from the island of Singapore to the Cannes Film Festival"; sound supervisor Zhao Nan provided a detailed analysis of sound, a subject that seems to be "behind the scenes" but is actually connected to the audience's emotions, as "the director's homework."
During the final pitch on the 23rd, the four mentors took their seats on the jury, engaging in more direct and targeted exchanges with the directors and producers of the Top 15 projects. The four mentors listened attentively to each presentation and offered their critiques from different dimensions. A Mei emphasized emotional authenticity, encouraging creators to return to their own life experiences and genuine interpersonal relationships; Anthony Chen valued the unique structure that distinguishes short films from feature films, advising directors to clarify their narrative focus and control the scale; Shan Zuolong focused on implementation at the production level, reminding everyone to bridge conception and execution; Zhao Nan offered targeted, stylized, and genre-specific suggestions revolving around the project's subject matter and specific details... Throughout the day-long pitch, the mentors continuously offered not just judgments, but sincere encouragement and even a passion for joint exploration.
Based on a comprehensive assessment of the overall status and development potential of the 15 projects, the mentor panel composed of the four mentors jointly selected 6 designated incubation projects for this year's "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp, each receiving 120,000 RMB in support funding to proceed with shooting the finished films. Meanwhile, industry partners from the frontlines, drawing on vivid market experience, also selected some projects for designated project support.
Possession
The short film Possession, directed by Ma Ao and produced by Yang Aoxing, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor Shan Zuolong presented the incubation certificate to them.
At the same time, the project was also awarded as an "Insurance Support Project." Zhang Qiaobing, Business Manager of Shanghai Baopai Film and Television Technology Co., Ltd., presented the industry support certificate to them.
California City Garden
The short film California City Garden, directed by Zhao Jing and produced by Wu Zheng, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor A Mei presented the incubation certificate to them.
Tropical and Subtropical
The short film Tropical and Subtropical, directed by Chen Zihan and produced by Huang Zewei, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor Anthony Chen presented the incubation certificate to them.
At the same time, the project was also awarded as a "Color Grading Support Project" and an "Insurance Support Project." Cui Liming, General Manager of Beijing Hualin Image Art Co., Ltd., and Zhang Qiaobing, Business Manager of Shanghai Baopai Film and Television Technology Co., Ltd., presented the industry support certificates to them.
Everyday Battlefield
The short film Everyday Battlefield, directed by Chen Lige and produced by Luo Runxiao and Hu Yuanxing, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor Shan Zuolong presented the incubation certificate to them.
At the same time, the project was also awarded as an "Equipment Support Project" and a "Sound Post-Production Support Project." Zou Jiliang, Chairman of Beijing Zhongshi Chenyang Film and Television Culture Media Co., Ltd., and Yang Yang, Sound Producer of Mofei Picture (Beijing) International Culture Media Co., Ltd., presented the industry support certificates to them.
Close Your Eyes After Ten
The short film Close Your Eyes After Ten, directed by Bo Hanxiong and produced by Bai Shan, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor Anthony Chen presented the incubation certificate to them.
At the same time, the project was also awarded as a "Poster Support Project" and a "Visual Effects Support Project." Wang Yan, General Manager of Beijing Space Fortress Culture Development Co., Ltd., and Lin Yingying, Producer of Yingmu (Beijing) Culture Media Co., Ltd., presented the industry support certificates to them.
Apple of One's Eye
The short film Apple of One's Eye, directed by Ren Honglin and produced by Weng Zihao, was awarded as a designated incubation project of the 7th HIIFF "Young Coconut Project" Short Film Camp. Camp mentor Zhao Nan presented the incubation certificate to them.
At the same time, the project was also awarded as an "Actor Support Project." Chen Sen, Director of the Creation Center at Easy Entertainment, presented the industry support certificate to them.
When the indomitable spirit of young creators meets the anticipation and recognition of new expressions and new talents from the forefront of the industry, a diverse future begins to sprout. At the end of the certification ceremony, He Song, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Sanya Media and Film Group, presented the "Industry Decision Maker" certificates to representatives of industry partners, including Yixin Entertainment, Hualin Image, Mofei Picture, Space Fortress, Yingmu Culture, Zhongshi Chenyang, Paipianbao, Shihuan Culture, and Douma23. We look forward to going far together with the leading forces of the industry, and jointly witnessing Chinese cinema continuously making new breakthroughs.
Within the cycle of this year's Young Coconut Project, six designated incubation projects will undergo script optimization, filming, and post-production, and will hold industry screenings during the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF), showcasing a cutting-edge creative force to the industry. Meanwhile, regardless of winning an award or not, we also hope that every young creator can forge ahead without stopping, seeking paths to achieve diverse expressions. Only in this way can the cultural ecosystem we inhabit be sufficiently prosperous, continuously brewing new opportunities for breakthroughs.
