FIRST Film Festival Marks 18 Years of Showcasing Chinese Indie Cinema

The festival, held in Xining, continues to spotlight emerging talent despite no Best Feature award this year.

The festival was founded to provide a platform for young filmmakers and has evolved significantly over 18 years.
This year, the jury decided not to award a Best Feature Film, citing a lack of groundbreaking entries.
The Grand Jury Prize went to Chen Yanbin’s 'Sailing Song of June,' praised for its powerful sensory impact.
Baggio Jiang won Best Director for his debut film 'Shards,' an experimental feature inspired by traditional porcelain repair.
The festival's unique programming method involves creating an ad hoc selection team each year, contributing to its distinctive character.