#56 FIRST: Behind the Scenes at China’s Sundance

Though streaming is on the rise, film festivals are still an important channel for creators to showcase their work. If you’re an indie filmmaker in China, the Xining FIRST Youth Film Exhibition has become the place to see and be seen. Started in 2006, it is now known as the “Sundance of China,” and it is where directors like Wen Muye, director of 2018’s Dying To Survive (the third-highest grossing film at the Chinese box office), was discovered. 

In 2011, the festival moved to the remote Qinghai province, a Tibetan region better known for its green pastures than its film industry. We invite three attendees from this year’s festival, which just wrapped up in July, on how FIRST helped them find their voice, the challenges of putting on an indie film festival in China, and how FIRST became a standard-bearer of quality for the industry? 

 Featuring 
Vivian Bao: Independent Producer
Khashem Gyal: Director
Tina Xu: Culture Editor at The World of Chinese 

 Middle Earth is distributed by The World of Chinese (www.theworldofchinese.com). Every two months, both in print and online, the team at TWOC takes a contemporary issue in Chinese society and culture and looks behind the headlines to share how it affects people on the ground.  

Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! 

With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support. 

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For six years, the Middle Earth Podcast has been a favorite among creatives working in and with China to learn the latest news about the world's second-largest cultural market. As we reach 100 episodes with over 220 guests, it's time to take a look back at the show and the industry it covers with a live audience, followed by a Q&A and our infamous quiz.

The World of Chinese Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

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