Discovery Channel is seeking six real-life stories of ordinary
but visionary individuals for this year's First Time Filmmakers
(FTFM). FTFM, funded by Discovery Channel, is aimed at developing
promising filmmakers in China.
Applicants must submit 30-minute documentaries focusing on
contemporary China and the final six filmmakers will be offered
training and professional development from the award-winning
producers from Discovery Channel, as well as a chance to showcase
their talent on an international level.
Shi Qiurong, a student of cinematography from Beijing Film
Academy, was among the six winners last year. Shi broke Chinese
stereotypes with Good Morning, Beijing, which has been
nominated in two categories at this year's Asia Television Awards.
Shi's lens captures a curious group of Beijing senior citizens who
draw fun from learning English after retirement.
They share the excitement about the upcoming 2008 Beijing
Olympics and the opportunity to meet English-speaking tourists.
The main character Yang Jing, 73, is one of the English
students. He started learning English when he enrolled his grandson
in an English-language kindergarten, where parents and guardians
may observe from the back of the class. He is now a regular
volunteer guide for foreign tourists at the Forbidden City.
Last year's other winners include Mongolian Idol, Car
Crazy, Women of the Long Braid, Out of the Dark
and Art Factory. The documentaries received financing and
premiered as a series, "China 21" on Discovery Channel in the Asia
Pacific region this October and 26 leading cable TV stations in
China. They were screened in more than 114 million homes.
"I once thought of shooting films right after graduation. But
now I find it necessary to start my career by making documentaries.
Film has its roots in real life. As a documentary director, I learn
more about the world," Shi said.
Cui Hongxin, a 27-year-old independent director, is presenting
Car Crazy, which documents the dream of Sun Zhongqi, a
country resident, and his passion for "monster car
modification."
"For a long time, many Chinese directors mistook documentary
making for an individualistic art form just to express their own
feelings," said Cui. "But Discovery's real-life entertainment
taught me that audiences are the first thing for a documentary. I
am learning to make an international-style documentary with Chinese
characteristics." Now Cui is preparing to shoot his next
documentary about car enthusiast Yang Jun who drives his modified
Jeep to Spain next year.
However, domestic productions still have far to go to match top
Western documentaries. "Lack of funding and marketing is a problem
confronting Chinese documentary-making," said Shi. "What impressed
me most was that Discovery producers always considered the
audience's taste first and never felt shy to talk about
profits."
Twelve short listed applicants will be selected to attend the
final in Guangzhou on December 4-5.
(China Daily November 16, 2006)
