On October 11, the fourth IM Cross-Strait Youth Film Festival kicked off in Pingtan, Fujian Province. The festival’s main competition segment received an impressive 2,264 submissions from around the globe, with 50 films making the final cut to be screened during the event.

The IM in the festival’s name stands for “In Moments,” reflecting the idea of seizing the moment. The IM Cross-Strait Youth Film Festival aims to support the creative endeavors of Chinese youth in film from universities worldwide. It encompasses short film competitions, forums, and screenings, encouraging young directors and students to showcase their narrative and non-narrative shorts.

The judging panel this year is chaired by well-known actress and director Sylvia Chang. During the festival, there will be a special screening titled “Chairman’s Special Showcase” featuring Chang’s classic films, “Shanghai Nights” and “Recall,” followed by a masterclass where she will participate as a guest speaker.

According to a representative from the festival’s organizing committee, the Long Film sector, themed “Endless Growth Program,” received 256 project submissions. “IM is thrilled to witness the growth of serious content creators and firmly believes that film is not only an artistic expression but also a resonance and legacy between generations of filmmakers and audiences,” the representative stated. The festival aims to bridge the cultural exchange between cross-strait cinema and support aspiring Chinese filmmakers worldwide in exploring the limitless possibilities of visual storytelling.

This year, Sylvia Chang has collaborated with notable filmmakers such as Marco Müller, Zhou Xinxia, Chen Lingzhen, and Wang Yu to form the final judging panel, where their professional insights and extensive experience will nurture the next generation of filmmakers.

Journalists have learned that among those joining this year’s festival are “IM Filmmaker of the Year” Simon Yam, “IM Youth Film Advocate” Wu Kang-jen, “IM Youth Image Person” Zhang Yuqi and Zhang Rongrong, along with “IM Volunteer Ambassador” Zhou Meijun. They will motivate and encourage more young filmmakers to bravely pursue their dreams through sharing and communication.