3rd GBA college student film week launched in city

The 3rd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area College Student Film Week was launched yesterday at Shenzhen University, marking a key cultural event timed that coincides with the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and aims to foster the next generation of filmmakers.Teachers and students attend the opening ceremony of the 3rd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area College Student Film Week at Shenzhen University yesterday. Photos courtesy of event organizer except otherwise stated

The opening ceremony featured a blend of traditional and modern performances, including an opera piece by famed performer Zeng Xiaomin and acts by local university bands and dance clubs. Zhang Songwen, a renowned actor and the event’s artistic advisor, joined 1,800 student representatives from the GBA to inaugurate the film week.

The event opened with the Chinese 8K space documentary “Shenzhou 13,” with its creators present to discuss the filmmaking process and China’s recent achievements in space.

Young actor Zhou Zhengjie, known for popular films such as “The Volunteers: Peace at Last” and “The Shadow’s Edge,” was invited to serve as the promotional ambassador for the film week, bridging the gap between the event and college students through a peer’s perspective.

Zhang Songwen (L) interacts with students during the opening ceremony at Shenzhen University yesterday. Lin Songtao

This year’s film week is the first to be jointly held by Shenzhen and Guangzhou, combining resources with the 21st Guangzhou College Student Film Festival. The “twin-city” model aims to create a broader, more robust platform for young cinematic talent.

Zhang Songwen (L) poses a photo with students from Shenzhen University during the opening ceremony at Shenzhen University yesterday. Lin Songtao

The Shenzhen program is built around six core sections and over a dozen activities, creating a comprehensive platform that integrates film viewing, creation, exchange, cuisine, travel, and science education.

From September to December, the screening section will screen 55 diverse films, including the opener and “The Dumpling Queen,” across Shenzhen University, the Southern University of Science and Technology, and partner cinemas. With over 100 screenings, the program is expected to reach around 100,000 students. An exhibition featuring posters from more than 100 classic films produced in Guangdong Province will also tour campuses, commemorating Chinese cinema’s 120-year history.

The festival’s communication and cultivation section aims to establish a support system for young creators, inviting students from across China, including Hong Kong and Macao, and Southeast Asia to submit film reviews, scripts, and short films. Winning entries will receive professional incubation support from the industry.

From October to November, the “Masters on Campus” series will feature masterclasses with industry leaders like author Liang Xiaosheng and actor Zhang Songwen, alongside sharing sessions with production teams from popular movies.

“Students must get out more, especially those studying art. While art originates from life, it also possesses the power to rise above life. Another significant function of art is imagination,” Zhang told students at the launch ceremony.

The entrance to a stadium in Shenzhen University is decorated for the opening of the third Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area College Student Film Week.

Innovating this year, the film week introduced a “Film+” model that includes activities such as Savoring Food Through Film, Traveling with Movies, and Science Through Cinema, blending cinematic culture with diverse public experiences. The film week will conclude in November with a campus tour of the award-winning short films.

Since its inception in 2023, the event has become a significant platform for nurturing new film talent and connecting industry resources. Through its core components of screenings, competitions, exchanges, and exhibitions, it continues to ignite passion for filmmaking among college students and propel outstanding works to the broader market.