SIFF YOUNG, a filmmaker discovery and development program supported by the Shanghai Film Bureau, has announced its 2026 graduates. Nine talents were selected from 59 applicants to direct, produce, and write the screenplay.
The five people nominated as directors are Bai Xue, Su Biao, Teng Conggui, Wang Tong, and Xu Lei. The producers are Fu Jing, Titi, and Xie Haoqi, with screenwriter Zhou Yunhai rounding out the team. Their projects span post-production, production, and development, and span multiple genres and scales.
The announcement ceremony was held in conjunction with the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. Fang Shizhong, executive vice director of the Publicity Department of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and director of the Shanghai Film Bureau, presented certificates to the winners.
It was nominated by 13 industry endorsers and 17 companies, including iQIYI and CMC Pictures, as well as renowned filmmakers Jia Zhangke and Jojo Hui. Director Wen Mue, who is also a SIFF YOUNG graduate from 2023, served as the chairperson of the final jury, with participation from director and screenwriter Dong Runnian, producer Liang Ling, Yu Chou, president of Light Chaser Animation Studio, and screenwriter Yu Xiaoying, who was one of the first batch of screenwriters honored in this program.
“The young creators we selected boast outstanding talent and diverse styles,” Wen said. “They combine solid professionalism with independent thinking. This group includes seasoned practitioners with extensive industry experience, as well as bold, innovative, up-and-coming voices, perfectly embodying the professionalism and diversity championed by this year’s selection.”
Among directors, Bai Xue is best known for “The Crossing,” which received wide acclaim on the festival circuit. Her new project, “This Is My Name,” is currently in post-production. “When I’ve been immersed in my creative work for so many years, I sometimes forget how old I am,” Bai said. “But I still feel very young this year.”
Su Biao, a screenwriter-turned-director who has penned screenplays for films such as “Post-Truth,” “One and Only,” and “City of Rock,” made his directorial debut with “Honey Money Phoney,” and has three post titles under his belt. Teng Congcong, known for his work in the movie “Send Me to the Clouds” and the drama “To the Wonder,” is currently developing “The Stake of Your Life.” Wang Tong, whose realist drama “Wild Nights, Tamed Beasts” won both the Jury Grand Prix and Best Actress Award at last year’s SIFF Golden Goblet Awards, was involved in the script development of “ying Ni Zhe.” Director Xu Lei, whose track record includes low-budget commercial genre films such as “Summer Detective” and “The Hutong Cowboy,” has “The Peacemaker” in pre-production and “Village Life” in development.
On the producer side, Hu Jing, whose credits include “The Cord of Life” and “Decoded,” currently has two projects in the works, including “Sherlock of China,” which is in post-production. Titi attracted widespread attention when her film “The Sun Rises” was screened at last year’s Venice International Film Festival, and her lead actress Xin Zhirei won the Volpi Trophy for Best Actress. Her latest work, “Make Zhonghe Great Again,” was unveiled at this year’s SIFF Gala Night. Xie Haochi, who co-produced both “Make Zhonghe Great Again” and “This Is My Time,” also featured his work at the gala night as part of the Chinese movie blockbuster “New Voices” showcase.
Screenwriter Chou Yunhai, whose credits include Pegasus 3, was singled out by the jury for his sophisticated storytelling instincts and keen sense of commercial demand. “This selection is a recognition of my past work and an inspiration for my future,” Zhou said.
Launched in 2021, SIFF YOUNG is now in its fifth year and has supported 29 filmmakers across five editions. Alumni include Derek Tsang (“Better Days,” “Soulmates”), Han Shuai (“She Has No Name”) and Xiao Yihui (“Her Story,” “B for Busy”).
