The prestigious Cannes Film Festival served as the launchpad for an exciting new initiative in global cinema – the Shine One Program. This groundbreaking project, unveiled during the 78th edition of the festival, represents a collaborative effort between China’s Golden Rooster & Hundred Flowers Film Festival and the popular short-video platform Douyin to identify and cultivate the next generation of visionary filmmakers.
With its core philosophy centered on ‘discovery,’ the program officially opened worldwide submissions on May 20, inviting creators to submit original short films not exceeding 15 minutes in duration. This carefully chosen format allows emerging talents to demonstrate their storytelling abilities while maintaining concise, impactful narratives.
The selection process will be rigorous, with a distinguished jury panel conducting three rounds of evaluation to narrow down 30 shortlisted entries to just three ultimate winners. These selected filmmakers will receive comprehensive support to transform their conceptual projects into fully produced short films, providing them with invaluable industry exposure and resources.
Adding star power to the initiative, three of China’s most respected actors – Huang Xiaoming, Xiao Yang, and Zhou Dongyu – have lent their names as program initiators. Zhou Dongyu, who personally attended the Cannes launch ceremony, shared her enthusiasm for the project: ‘This platform represents an extraordinary opportunity for young creators to translate their passion into compelling visual stories and share their unique perspectives with global audiences.’
The Shine One Program stands as a testament to the growing international collaboration in cinema, bridging Eastern and Western film industries while maintaining a strong focus on nurturing raw talent. By providing both a competitive platform and developmental support, the initiative aims to inject fresh creativity into the global film landscape while elevating the visibility of Chinese cinematic talent on the world stage.
