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Song Wen, founder of the FIRST International Film Festival, discusses the history of one of China’s most promising festivals for the visual arts. Once in danger of being shut down by the authorities in Beijing, the festival has found a new home in China’s west — the provincial capital of Qinghai Province, Xining. This year, hundreds of films were screened to more than 30,000 audience members, and 19 budding directors emerged from a highly selective process to pitch their films to China’s film industry elites. In this episode, Song Wen explains how the festival has evolved from a minor student event to one of the most important cultural events in China’s still-maturing film industry. 

Featuring
Song Wen | 宋文 : FIRST International Film Festival Founder

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! 

Recommendations
- Old Beast 老兽 (2017)
- The Looming Storm 暴雪将至 (2017)
- An Elephant Sitting Still 大象席地而坐 (2018)
- Dying to Survive 我不是药神 (2018)
- Mosaic Portrait 马赛克少女 (2019)

With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

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