12th FIRST International Film Festival call for entries
FIRST is one of the most important independent film festival in China taking place in July 21-20 each year. We have been dedicated in discovering and nurturing new talents in China and across the world since the festival’s inception in 2006. In the recent decade, FIRST presents important debuts in Chinese cinema including The Widowed Witch (dir. Cai Chengjie, Hivos Tiger Award 2018), The Last Laugh (dir. Zhang Tao, ACID Cannes 2017), The Summer Is Gone (dir. Zhang Dalei, Golden Horse Award Best Pictures 2016) etc. Among the interantional competition, FIRST has presented filmmakers including Anocha Suwichakornpong, Klara Kochanska and Guido Hendrikx.
FIRST receives over 1200 submissions each year and among them about 400 are from outside of China. We have two Grand Jury Prize specially for international filmmakers.
For most filmmakers, film schools are places where they start out. As one of the most prestigious film schools worldwide, your school has done a fantastic job in nurturing filmmakers and made a remarkable contribution to the film industry. We are very thrilled to see some groundbreaking works from your students.
Submission are welcome until May 15 2018 through the online entry form at www.firstfilm.org.cn. Look forward to your reply and powerful works from your students! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about FIR
The film entry for 12th FIRST International Film Festival Xining starts on January 1, 2018.
FIRST International Film Festival Xining seeks the fresh cinema expression and breaking-edge cinematic language. Every July, we celebrate our passion for free spirit and love for cinema. FIRST promotes the emerging talents and presents the brave and creative films.
The submission deadline for the 12th FIRST is May 15, 2018.
The submission is open to features, documentary, animation, experimental films and short films from China and abroad. Please read the Rules and Regulations before submit your film.The 12th FIRST International Film Festival Xining Rules and Regulations.pdf
A film need to meet the following requirement to be considered for competition:
Best Director
Selected among nominated Chinese narrative features to award the filmmaker with outstanding sense of directing and perfect combination of personal experience.
Best Narrative Feature
Selected among nominated Chinese narrative features to award the film that shows creativity in narrative, cinematic language and aesthetic form.
Best Documentary
Selected among nominated Chinese documentaries to award the non-fiction work with document value, humanistic concern and the ability to reflect on the social context while being unbiased. (The Best Documentary Award comes with a prize value of 50,000 RMB)
Best Short Film
Selected among nominated Chinese narrative short films to award the film that presents unlimited possibility with limited time and works with cinematic elements in a creative way.
Best Animation/Experimental Film
Selected among nominated Chinese animation/experimental films to award the film that makes diversified expression via visual elements and carries out unique practice of film aesthetics.
Best Performer
Selected among the leading actor/actress from nominated Chinese narrative features to award the actor/actress’s outstanding performance and the construction of the character.
Best Artistic Originality
Selected among nominated Chinese narrative features and documentaries to award the filmmaker who have major contribution or exploration in the field of screenwriting, cinematography, music, editing and art design.
Grand Jury Prize – Feature Film
Selected from nominated international feature-length films to award the film with proficient skills, pioneered idea and free cinematic language. The Jury Committee will give out this award depending on the film’s stylization, context and spirit.
Grand Jury Prize – Short Film
Selected from nominated international short films to award the film with proficient skills, pioneered idea and free cinematic language. The Jury Committee will give out this award depending on the film’s stylization, context and spirit.
Spirit of Freedom
This award would be present to Chinese narrative feature film or Chinese documentary with avant-garde aesthetics. The award represents the self-consciousness, culture value and the combination of independent thinking with cinema practice.
For more information please visit: http://www.firstfilm.org.cn
