The second In Moments (IM) Cross-Straits Film Festival themed "Thriving Wild with the Wind" ended with a bang on Nov.20 in Pingtan, Chinese Mainland's closest neighbor of Taiwan. The event has set a new precedent of growth and exposure for the local film industry, providing young filmmakers a platform to network with people of the trade and showcase their works. Pingtan aims to become a leading film base featuring "distinctive marine culture" across the Taiwan Straits.

Since the global solicitation for works in April this year, 290 institutes of higher learning have joined in and 1, 376 entries have been filed. The festival has set up a cash pool of 3.245 million yuan in support of potential filmmakers, the highest bonus of the short film festival on a global scale.

"Accordion" from Beijing Film Academy stood out and won the "Kylin Award for Best Film" ; American Film Institute's “The Speech" was awarded the “Kylin Jury Prize”; Gao Shiwen from Taiwan University of Arts won the "Kylin Award for Best Director".

Wang Xiaoshuai, a famous Chinese director and jury chairman of IM Cross-Straits Youth Film Festival

Oscar-winning director Malcolm Clarke shares his connection with Pingtan in an interview.

Wang Xiaoshuai, a famous Chinese director and jury chairman of IM Cross-Straits Youth Film Festival, Hu Zhifeng (virtual), director of the Chinese Collegial Association for Visual Art and deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Beijing Film Academy, Oscar-winning director Malcolm Clarke, Ruby L.J. Chen, Hong Kong director Wong Jing, hostess Chen Luyu, television presenter Wang Han (virtual) are among the attendees.

Famous Chinese director Geng Jun came to Pingtan for the first time, and he showed interest in Pingtan's culture. Geng grew up in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, and his works have successively won the Best Feature Film Award at the Golden Horse Award and the Golden Goblet Awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival. 

“We northerners yearn for the sea. A few days ago, some local friends took us for a late night snack. I truly enjoy the enriching local customs. When I return to Beijing, I will recommend Pingtan to the film circle,” Geng said.

Many young participants in the film festival also discovered the unique charm of Pingtan. They all expressed their hope to return to film.  

"Pingtan is a gorgeous city. I have planned to create some short films here by graduation,” said Chen Kunwen, a student from the Beijing Film Academy.

"Pingtan is suitable for sports events. The wide Around-the-Island Road here is ideal for a marathon. I will come to Pingtan again to learn more about the city,” said Ma Da who is into the sports genre. 

Ding Ruiwu, director of the Film and Television Division of the Publicity and Film Development Department of Pingtan, said that the IM Cross-Straits Youth Film Festival is to build a platform for young cross-Straits film and television talents and serve as an incubation base for film and television innovation projects in Pingtan.

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