Pingyao film festival set to kick off in September

The eighth edition of the Pingyao International Film Festival, an esteemed annual event founded by renowned director Jia Zhangke, is set to take place from Sept 24 to 30 in the picturesque city of Pingyao, in Shanxi province.

Currently, the festival is actively seeking submissions from both Chinese and international filmmakers, with the deadline for entries extended until July 15. Filmmakers can submit their works through the festival's official website at pyiffestival.com/film.

Selected films will have the chance to be featured in various official sections. Notably, the Hidden Dragons competition segment aims to unearth fresh talent in Chinese-language cinema, with two winners set to receive prizes of 1 million yuan ($138,700) and 200,000 yuan, respectively.

Apart from Hidden Dragons, the festival comprises three other distinct sections: Hidden Dragons International, focusing on emerging global filmmakers; Retrospective/Tribute, dedicated to showcasing classic works by cinematic masters or films of significant cultural value; and Made-in-Shanxi, a special category highlighting the burgeoning film industry of the province.

Since its inception in 2017, the festival has emerged as a nurturing platform for arthouse film talent, with past winners including Liu Jian's groundbreaking animated film Have a Nice Day, the first Chinese animated work to earn a nomination for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Additionally, Singaporean director Anthony Chen's Wet Season made waves as a contender in the competition section of the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

The upcoming Pingyao film festival promises to continue its tradition of celebrating cinematic excellence and fostering new talent within the captivating ambiance of Pingyao.