Commerce and passion

At the pitch event, 27-year-old director Zhang Shubo from Zibo, Shandong province, presented his debut feature film Gaze After — a deeply personal, female-centered story told through the lens of a young male director.

Drawing from his own and his mother's experiences, Zhang explores the theme of a woman gradually reclaiming her self-worth and identity following family upheaval and separation.

Zhang resonates strongly with the festival's slogan: "Come with a story, leave with a film." Although filming is complete, he still faces a funding gap of 500,000 yuan ($68,398.31) for post-production, editing, and other finishing touches. He's hopeful that this youth-focused project platform will help him secure the support he needs.

"For young filmmakers like me who don't have industry connections, film festivals and pitch events are probably the most effective way to bring our stories to the screen," he said.

Meanwhile, Modern Love Letters, a project by young director Tang Yan and post-95 producer Li Jiayi, was awarded "Most Commercially Valuable Project" at the pitch session for its inventive mix of genres.

Blending Hong Kong-style nostalgia with elements of fantasy, the film tells a story of intergenerational female support that transcends time and space. "But it's not meant to be melodramatic," said Li. "We want it to feel dreamy, romantic, and full of hope — something that leaves audiences walking out of the cinema feeling uplifted."

Tang and Li first met through their shared passion for rescuing stray cats — a bond that later evolved into a professional partnership.

While developing the script, they communicated constantly and agreed on creating a widely appealing commercial film rather than an art-house piece.

"The judges suggested we could amplify certain genre elements, like Chinese horror or suspense, or further enhance the fantasy aspects. Another option was to take a broader commercial approach by incorporating social themes," Tang explained. "Of course, our commercialization plan will be refined once film companies come on board, from distribution to promotion."

The close cooperation between this director-producer duo reflects the potential for young filmmakers to pursue their dreams step by step within an increasingly mature and supportive film industry.

Looking ahead, Li shared a simple yet heartfelt vision: "We hope that more people like us can feel empowered, find courage, and see possibility."