FIRST Film Festival Embraces China’s Indie Scene

Courtesy of FIRST International Film Festival

The FIRST International Film Festival, held annually on the high plains of Tibet, is often likened to China’s version of Sundance. It prides itself as a discovery festival.

On Sunday, the festival faced a setback when renowned filmmaker Guan Hu, head of the main competition jury, chose not to award a best film prize.

“It’s not that we didn’t see good films, but the overall selection was not bold enough,” Guan stated from the stage. He added that while the festival is 18 years old, it still has room to mature.

Thankfully, the jury awarded several other prizes. “Sailing Song of June” won the Grand Jury prize, and “Chengzi 1” clinched the Spirit of Innovation award.

In recent years, FIRST has introduced Chinese films that achieved international success. Notable examples include “Drifting” by Jun Li and “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” by Gu Xiaogang. Many filmmakers, such as Wen Muye (“Dying to Survive”), Zhang Dalei (“The Summer Is Gone”), and the late Hu Bo (“An Elephant Sitting Still”), owe part of their success to FIRST.

Additionally, the festival’s market section, First Mart, played a role in shaping “To Kill a Mongolian Horse.” This multi-country coproduction, directed by Jiang Xiaoxuan, will debut next month at the Venice Days sidebar.

Established in 2006 by Song Wen, FIRST initially had its base in Beijing before relocating to the Qinghai Plateau in 2011. This remote location benefits the festival by attracting a dedicated audience of filmmakers and delegates.

This year’s attendees included Zhang Miao from Splendid Culture & Entertainment, as well as representatives from Lian Rui Pictures, Mahua FunAge, Tingdong Film, and Happy Film Industry.

From July 20-28, the festival offered a variety of films, documentaries, and short films by Chinese directors. It also featured a project market and the female-oriented First Frame sidebar. Notably, auteur Lou Ye led a mentoring event for short filmmakers.

However, the festival’s remote location can be a drawback, as it has a smaller local base than cities like Beijing or Shanghai. As a result, it relies heavily on commercial sponsorships. This year’s key sponsors included Vivo and Chanel.

FIRST employs a unique programming method by assembling an ad hoc team of filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals each year. This can sometimes result in variable quality.

Such unpredictability might contribute to the festival being less favored by some sections of the domestic Chinese press. “If there’s a good film, I win,” said one anonymous delegate. Yet, for many, the prospect of discovering a hidden gem is what makes FIRST appealing.

Best Film Prize: Not awarded
Spirit of Freedom Prize: “Chengzi_1,” dir. Fu Zongsheng
Best Screenplay: Zhang Yudi for “The Midsummer’s Tale”
Best Artistic Originality: “The Small Village”
Best Actor: Huang Jingyi in “Fish Bone”
Grand Jury Prize: “Sailing Song of June”
Special Mention: “The Dreamer in the Jungle”
Best Director: Jiang Yuzhi for “Shards”
Best Documentary: “Unstoppable”

Best Animated Short Film: “Candy,” dir. Ying Xun
Best Short Film: “Extracurricular Activity”
Special Mention: “Baozhda” (Kazakh story), dir. Keran Abukasimu

Source: Variety