From the misty willows of Zhujiajiao’s water towns to the enduring cultural heritage of Liantang, from the intangible cultural heritage of ancient Jiangnan towns to the digital aesthetics of AI-generated imagery—when a 240-hour time-limited creative sprint meets Jiangnan, every frame will become a vivid footnote to the story of Qingpu. The "240 HOURS • ENVISIONING JIANGNAN – Shanghai Qingpu International Youth Film Festival," organized by the Shanghai Vancouver Film School, is now officially launching its global call for submissions. We sincerely invite young directors, filmmakers, and AI artists from around the world to participate. Let us decode Jiangnan culture through the lens, capture the beauty of Qingpu, and let the world encounter the most spirited Jiangnan on screen. This project is funded by the Qingpu District Cultural Development Special Fund.

 

Inspired by China’s "144-Hour Visa-Free Transit" policy, this film festival is deeply rooted in the cultural landmarks of Jiangnan in Shanghai’s Qingpu District, such as Zhujiajiao and Liantang. The event features two main sections: the "Youth Director Short Film Script Incubation Program" and the "Sino-Foreign Youth AI Art & Film Exhibition." Supported by professional incubation, resource assistance, and international screenings, the festival aims to build a youth film platform with creative depth, artistic excellence, and broad reach, promoting the living inheritance and innovative international dissemination of Jiangnan culture.

 

I. Submission Categories and Requirements

 

A.Youth Director Short Film Script Incubation Program

 

1.Eligibility

 

Teachers, students, young directors, screenwriters, and creative teams (the age of core creators should not exceed 45 in principle, and the core team should not exceed 5 people) from film-related disciplines in domestic and international universities/colleges.

2.Theme

 

"Encountering China in a Jiangnan Ancient Town." Scripts should be deeply rooted in the regional characteristics of Zhujiajiao, Liantang, and other areas in Qingpu District, focusing on the natural scenery, intangible cultural heritage, humanistic history, revolutionary legacy, and contemporary spirit of Jiangnan water towns. They should demonstrate humanistic warmth, artistic innovation, and social concern.

3.Submission Requirements

 

(1) FormatOriginal short film screenplay with a maximum length of 10 minutes. Genre is unrestricted (fiction, documentary, animation, etc.).Note: If the core of the work is AI-generated content, please submit to the "Sino-Foreign Youth AI Art & Film Exhibition" category.

(2) Content

◎ Must be an original, unpublished work without any copyright disputes. Plagiarism or content spinning is strictly prohibited.

◎ Content must not violate laws, regulations, or public order and good morals.

(3) Incubation Benefits

 

Five selected screenplay teams will each receive a creation grant of RMB 50,000 to support a 240-hour time-limited shoot in Qingpu. Teams will receive guidance from industry expert mentors throughout the production process. The finished films will be showcased in the festival’s core screening section and receive promotional support from domestic and international mainstream media and film platforms.

4.Timeline

 

(1) Submission PeriodFrom now until May 30, 2026. Submit the short film script (including synopsis and full script) along with a feasible project proposal (including production plan, etc.).

(2) Review & Selection:A jury composed of film industry experts, directors, and producers will conduct a blind review to select 5 outstanding screenplays for incubation.

(3) Time-Limited CreationSelected teams will travel to Qingpu for 240 hours of on-location filming and production.

(4) Premiere & ShowcaseFilm premieres and related creative exchange activities will be held during the festival.

B.Sino-Foreign Youth AI Art & Film Exhibition

 

1.Eligibility

Global young artists, AI image/video designers, digital art researchers, and teachers/students in related fields. No age limit. Individuals or teams may participate.

2.Theme

"Encountering China in a Jiangnan Ancient Town." Works should integrate visual elements and cultural symbols of Qingpu's Jiangnan water towns with AI artistic creation methods, exploring the fusion of Jiangnan aesthetics and digital art, creating AI artworks that possess both traditional essence and a futuristic feel.

3.Submission Requirements

 

(1) Format

Open, with a special welcome to all forms of AI visual art. Including but not limited to:

◎ AI-generated graphic design works

◎ AI-generated motion graphics / animation

◎ AI-generated narrative visual short films

◎ AI-generated documentary visual short films

◎ Other experimental visual art forms integrating AI technology

 

※ A creative statement (within 300 words) is mandatory, explaining the AI tools used, creative concept, process, and how Qingpu's cultural elements were incorporated.

(2) Technical Specifications

 

◎ Graphic Works

Format: JPG, PNG, PSDResolution: ≥300 DPI

File Size: ≤ 200 MB per piece

Requirement: Clear image with complete details.

 

◎ Motion Works

Duration: 30 seconds to 10 minutes

Format: MP4, MOV

Resolution: 1920x1080 (Full HD) or higher

Aspect Ratio: Horizontal or vertical screen acceptable.

Requirement: Synchronized audio and smooth playback.

4.Creative Requirement

 

Works must be original, free of copyright disputes, and must incorporate elements of Qingpu's Jiangnan culture (e.g., water town architecture, intangible cultural heritage skills, natural landscapes), demonstrating both artistic innovation and cultural expression.

5.Exhibition Benefits

 

All selected works will be exhibited offline at the "Sino-Foreign Youth AI Digital Art Exhibition" held in a physical venue in Qingpu in late 2026, and will simultaneously participate in an online exhibition. Works will receive promotional opportunities on international art platforms and film media. All selected works will receive an official certificate of honor from the organizer.

6.Submission Deadline

 

From now until May 30, 2026. Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.

 

II.How to Apply

 

A.Submission Materials

 

1.Application Form

Please download and complete the corresponding form according to your chosen category:
"Youth Director Short Film Script Incubation Program Application Form" (Attachment 1)

"Sino-Foreign Youth AI Art & Film Exhibition Application Form" (Attachment 2)

2.Original Work Pledge

Please download the "Original Work Pledge" (Attachment 3), print it, have it signed (or stamped) by the creator or team leader, and provide a clear scanned copy.

※To access the application forms and attachments: Please scan the QR code below or click the "Read Original" link at the end of the text to download the complete application package containing Attachments 1, 2, and 3.

 

3.Work Files

Scripts should be in PDF or Word format. AI art works must comply with the aforementioned "Technical Specifications." Name all files as follows: [Category Name] - [Work Title] - [Author/Team Name].

 

4.Other Materials (Optional)

Creator/team biography, and 1-2 samples of past representative works (preferably provided via cloud storage links).

B.Submission Channel

1.Compress all materials into a single file and send it to the official submission email: Visionqp240@gmail.com.

2.Email subject line must be: "240 Hours Envisioning Jiangnan - [Category Name] - [Work Title] - [Author/Team Name] - [Contact Phone Number]".

C.Contact for Inquiries

Tel: 021-56332187. Alternatively, scan the QR code below to add the committee's WeChat account (Teacher Chen) for consultation (please note "Film Festival Inquiry + Your Name" when adding).

 

III. Announcement of Results

 

Review results for all categories will be announced via the official platforms of the Shanghai Vancouver Film School and other channels in late June 2026, and will be officially confirmed after a 3-working-day public notice period if no objections are received.

 

IV. Rights and Explanations

 

1.Copyright

 

(1) For short films completed under the "Youth Director Short Film Script Incubation Program," copyright is jointly owned by the organizer and the creator(s), with the creator(s) retaining authorship rights.

(2) Copyright for works selected for the "Sino-Foreign Youth AI Art & Film Exhibition" belongs to the creator(s).

(3) For the above works, the organizer and relevant cultural institutions of Qingpu District are granted permanent, non-exclusive, and royalty-free rights for public welfare use, including but not limited to exhibition, screening, and promotional activities (non-commercial purposes).

(4) Copyright for non-selected works remains with the creator(s). The organizer will not make any commercial use of them.

 

2. Resource Support

Selected creators/teams will receive professional film equipment support from the Shanghai Vancouver Film School (e.g., 4K cameras, LED lighting matrix, professional editing rooms), guidance from industry mentors, and assistance with location scouting in Qingpu.

3. International Dissemination

All selected works will be promoted globally through overseas new media platforms (e.g., YouTube, TikTok) as well as domestic mainstream film platforms and cultural tourism media, aiming to build Qingpu's Jiangnan culture into an internationally recognized brand.

4. Outcome Application

Selected works will become integral content for Qingpu's cultural tourism branding. Outstanding creators will be invited to become "Qingpu Cultural Tourism Image Creation Guest Artists."

 

V. Important Notes for Participants

 

1.Participants must guarantee that submitted works are original, have not been published or won awards in other competitions/platforms domestically or internationally, and do not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, portrait rights, reputation rights, etc. In case of infringement disputes, participants bear full responsibility. The organizer reserves the right to disqualify participants and reclaim all support resources and honors.

 

2.Submitted works must not contain content involving violence, pornography, religious taboos, defamation of society, or other illegal or non-compliant content, nor violate public order and good morals; otherwise, they will be disqualified.

 

3.Submission implies acceptance of all terms in this announcement. The organizer holds final interpretation rights for this film festival. Should adjustments to submission deadlines, review rules, etc., be necessary due to force majeure, notice will be given in advance via official channels.

 

4.There is no entry fee. Travel and accommodation expenses for participants coming to Qingpu may be eligible for subsidies according to relevant standards under the incubation program.

 

240 HOURS • ENVISIONING JIANGNANShanghai Qingpu International Youth Film Festival Organizing Committee

About the Organizer

Founded in 2014 with key support from the Shanghai Municipal Government, the Shanghai Vancouver Film School (SHVFS) is a joint venture between Shanghai University and the Vancouver Film School in Canada. It is chaired by renowned director Jia Zhangke. As the only Sino-foreign cooperative film education institution in China that comprehensively introduces North American faculty, uses bilingual (Chinese-English) teaching, and focuses on Hollywood film industry standards as its core curriculum, SHVFS has always adhered to "internationalization" and "practicality" as its core principles. Rooted in Shanghai's soil as a "City of Film," the school is committed to cultivating innovative film production talents with both international vision and professional practical capabilities.

The school boasts over RMB 100 million worth of professional film equipment, with 60% of its faculty being seasoned North American instructors. To date, SHVFS has nurtured nearly a thousand graduates. Alumni have contributed to films with a cumulative global box office exceeding RMB 100 billion, including blockbusters like the Ne Zhaanimated film series and the hit series Blossoms Shanghai. They have also won numerous awards at international festivals like the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Beijing International Film Festival.

As the exclusive educational partner of the Shanghai International Film Festival's SIFF ING Youth New Talent Film Project, SHVFS has organized the project for seven consecutive years, possessing rich experience in film festival operation, youth creation incubation, and international dissemination.