Cooperation

As a competitive, comprehensive film festival, the FIRST International Film Festival encompasses competition sections, programmed screenings and award ceremonies, industry activities, the Training Camp, various forums, and galas. During the annual festival period, it showcases approximately 100 outstanding films from around the world, including projects featured at top-tier international festivals such as Cannes, Berlinale, and Sundance. Filmmakers are invited to Xining to engage in live discussions with audiences.

For the film industry segment, FIRST established the Film Mart, which comprises the Financing Forum and Industry Screening. This initiative aims to create a dynamic, professional platform integrating dialogue and deal-making functions. Concurrently held during the festival are the Training Camp, Master Forums, and events like Xining Nights, attracting participation from cinephiles and industry guests worldwide.

Operating year-round, FIRST also opens public tour programming, a short film season, and lab workshops globally during the non-festival period.

In recent years, the Jury Presidents of FIRST have been XIE Fei (2014), JIANG Wen (2015), WONG Kar-wai (2016), LOU Ye (2017), CHEN Kuo-fu (2018), DIAO Yinan (2019), Peter CHAN (2020), and Sylvia CHANG (2021). The Spokespersons have been DENG Chao (2014), HUANG Bo (2015), CHEN Kun (2016), ZHOU Xun (2017), ZHAO Wei (2018), DIAO Yinan (2019), Peter CHAN (2020), Sylvia CHANG (2021), ZHANG Ziyi (2022), Joan CHEN (2023), TIGER Hu GUAN (2024), and Isabelle HUPPERT (2025).

FIRST introduced the “Person of the Year” role in 2019: HU Ge, ZHU Yawen, WANG Chuanjun, ZHOU Dongyu, HAI Qing, LI Fei. The 2020 Persons of the Year were: HUANG Bo, HUANG Xuan, JING Boran, WEN Muye, JACKSON Yee. The 2021 Persons of the Year were: HUANG Xiaoming, YAO Chen, LEI Jiayin, XIN Yukun, with Rising Talent Ambassadors: CHUN Xia, DONG Zijian, LIU Haoran, PENG Yuchang, WEN Qi. The 2022 Persons of the Year were: CAI Chengjie, MA Li, SONG Jia, YUAN Quan, with Rising Talent Ambassadors: ZHANG Youhao, ZHOU You, ZHONG Chuxi. The 2023 Persons of the Year were: MA Yili, ZHANG Xiaofei, ZHANG Songwen, with Rising Talent Ambassadors: CHEN Feiyu, Adam FAN, YIN Fang. The 2024 Persons of the Year are: GU Xiaogang, YANG Haoyu, CHANG Chen. With their participation and support, the FIRST brand’s influence has steadily grown, its activities have become increasingly diverse, and the operational budget for its year-round programs is entirely self-financed by the Festival Committee.

The significance of FIRST extends beyond encouraging young filmmakers to embrace artistic spirit. We aim to inspire the industry and engage audiences by showcasing cinematic creativity, drawing attention to cultural vitality. In our pursuit of this goal, all partners supporting FIRST are powerful fellow travelers.

We express our deep gratitude to all partners who share our faith in the spirit of cinema. You are the bridge accompanying FIRST across solitary islands. Please believe that partnering with FIRST offers not only professional exposure but also serves as a stabilizer enhancing your brand visibility and credibility. We firmly believe that the energy radiated by young filmmakers transcends FIRST’s own growth, invigorating partners across diverse fields who journey alongside us.

Join us in painting an even fresher and more vibrant cinematic world.