SoFTA Newsletter | 2024 April-June Issue

Special Section: The 4th MEGA International Creative Media Festival

The Opening and Awarding Ceremony

The fourth MEGA International Creative Media Festival, hosted by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) from 10-16 May, opened at the Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre. More than 1.94 million online viewers watched the opening and award ceremony that day. This year’s MEGA saw an impressive increase in participation. The submissions more than doubled, from 348 last year to 829 submissions from 175 universities and 14 professional media organisations this year. The number of countries from where the submissions originated also nearly doubled, from 11 last year to 20 this year.

The 4th MEGA Film, New Media, and Creative Technology Summit

On 11 May, the 4th MEGA Film, New Media, and Creative Technology Summit - The Trends and Opportunities of AIGC in the Development of Film, Culture, and Creative Industries was successfully held at the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). The forum gathered many industry experts and business leaders with profound professional knowledge and rich practical experience in artificial intelligence and creative media. They discussed the application, trends, challenges, and opportunities of artificial intelligence in film, culture, and creative industries across different fields, shared their contributions and experiences, and jointly promoted the development and contemplation of film, new media, and creative technology under the integration of AIGC technology. The forum attracted 1.73 million online viewers.

Digital Media Arts Graduation Works Exhibition

Digital Media Arts Graduation Works Exhibition themed around "Prompt," we integrate "INTERDISCIPLINARITY," "INTERACTIVITY," " CONVERGENCE," and "TRANSCENDENCE," providing audiences with an immersive experience. This exhibition highlights Digital Media Arts programmes' creativity and technological innovation, presenting various interdisciplinary artistic expressions. Each work is a unique expression of oneself, others, and the world, triggering deep reflections on life, existence, and meaning in the process of exploring and transcending "prompts".

MSc Cultural and Creative Industries Postgraduate Exhibition

The postgraduate exhibition of the MSc Cultural and Creative Industries programme has three main pathways, including Content Producing, Creative Industries, and Cultural Industries. The theme of the 2024 Postgraduate Exhibition covers the innovative dissemination of intangible cultural heritage, industrialisation of film development, multi-dimensional portrayal of women's culture, and design & development of intellectual property. Students skillfully combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills through multimedia tools such as videos, posters, radio dramas, and interactive media. Their works focus on sociocultural issues, showcasing their professional capabilities and critical thinking skills in the cultural and creative industries. The postgraduate exhibition celebrates students’ successes and achievements in the past two years. Beyond a mere graduation exhibition, this exhibition presents students' expectations for the future.

Filmmaking Graduation Work Screening

A total of 27 works from BA Filmmaking will be exhibited in this graduation exhibition, and they are Beats on The Edge, Crying Stone, Dreamer, DUI BA, Blueroot, Go Up Namu, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Guang, How's Your Day, Light Giving Lives, Nini Mom, Winter Musings, Pram, The Celebrity of The Funeral, Turning Arrow, Underground Romance, Vision Beyond Sight, Waves of Life, Wild Goose, EXAMS, LanXin, Autumn Fog, Late Spring, Shining Moon, Lingering Echoes of Kiln Fires, Graduation Party, Come Rain Or Come Shine.

TV Production Graduation Work Screening

A total of 10 works from BA TV Production will be exhibited in this graduation exhibition, and they are Dreaming, Slow Mailbox, Magic, The Tides, Carving out The Heart of Jade, A Woman Who Wants to Walk toward The God, Leave Me Remember Me, Our Story, Peekaboo, Live The Winter.

The XJTLU School-Enterprise Cooperation Project “Zhuozheng Wen Ya, Yuan Xiaowen IP Competition, Suzhou Amusement Park Vlog Competition” has been Initiated

XJTLU is committed to advancing industry development and innovation, launching three key projects: the "Yuan Xiaowen" IP Character Design Competition, the Zhuozheng Garden Soundscape Reconstruction Project, and the Suzhou Amusement Park Vlog y Competition.

The "Yuan Xiaowen IP Character Design Competition" aims to select an exclusive virtual character design for the brand spokesperson "Yuan Xiaowen" of the Suzhou Industrial Park Public Cultural Center in order to create a new cultural brand image and enhance its recognition.

The "Zhuozheng Wen Ya" Zhuozheng Garden Soundscape Reconstruction Project is a collaboration between Suzhou Jingtiancheng Cultural Tourism Development Company and XJTLU, dedicated to protecting and revitalising cultural heritage. The university will be responsible for this project's sound design and music production.

The "Suzhou Amusement Park Vlog Competition" is a cooperative project between SoFTA and Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World, which attracted the participation of nearly 150 XJTLU students. Students filmed and edited vlogs, uploading them to social media platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Weibo, and WeChat Video Accounts, attracting online discussions and offline visitors. The project's first phase was successfully held during the Labor Day period, with plans to continue in the next semester.

Judges from the School of Film and TV Arts evaluated the entries based on professional standards and their popularity on social media, awarding first, second, and third prizes, as well as popularity and merit awards. The final list of winners is as follows:

First prize: Peiqing Zhang

Second prize: Vasilisa Sheveleva

Third prize: Liyu Yang

Popularity Awards: Yolanda, Linxuan Hua, Zhou Yang

Merit Award: Xinru Cai

The XJTLU School of Film and TV Arts Established New Partnerships with 15 Companies

At the MEGA opening ceremony, a teaching practice base plaque ceremony was held with 15 companies, aimed at further strengthening the cooperation between the university and the industry and promoting the development of the creative media industry. Here is the list of the awarded companies: Suzhou Industrial Park Dushu Lake Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd., Suzhou Industrial Park Public Cultural Center, Jiangsu Huani Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd., Hubei Radio and Television Station (Hubei Media Group), Traffic Radio Department, (Shanghai) SALT Culture Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou New District Cultural Group Co., Ltd, ASIA PACIFIC DESIGNERS FEDERATION, Guangzhou Zowoyoo Network Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou Hi-Tech Tourism Industry Group Co., Ltd, Kunshan Digital Dream Factory Film & TV Culture Industry Co., Ltd., Suzhou Historical and Cultural City Development Group, Suzhou Guishan Yingyu Culture Co., Ltd., Hengdian World Studios, Hangzhou Xili Quanming Film & Television Culture Co., Ltd, Shenzhen Woworld Culture and Media Co.Ltd.

School Latest News

University of Liverpool Delegation Visited SoFTA

On 22 March 2024, a delegation from the University of Liverpool in the UK visited our School of Film and TV Arts for an academic exchange. They specifically toured our esteemed industrial partner Zhouzhuang Dream Factory filming base during their visit. They expressed profound appreciation for our commendable efforts and remarkable achievements in practical talent cultivation, engaging in insightful discussions on curriculum development.

SoFTA Open Day was Held on the Afternoon of 6 April

The School of Film and TV Arts Open Day was successfully held on the afternoon of 6 April. The event commenced with a guided tour of the school's AS Building and facilities, providing guests with a first-hand look at the school's infrastructure. Following this, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of SoFTA, delivered a comprehensive introduction to the school, covering its educational philosophy, modules, faculty, and more. To conclude the event, final-year Filmmaking students invited guests to visit the set of their graduation project, offering them an immersive film production experience.

The First Doctoral Application Sharing Session of SoFTA Successfully Held

On 18 April 2024, the School of Film and TV Arts successfully hosted its first PhD application-sharing event. Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore, the programme director for TV Production, and Dr Takao Terui from the Cultural and Creative Industries Master's Programme delivered a specialized topic on crafting an exceptional PhD application. Our current PhD students, Yimin Lin, Danni Tang, and Tianyi Chen, shared their invaluable experiences in pursuing a doctorate degree. The event attracted participation from nearly 50 master's students across various disciplines, aiming to enhance our PhD programme further. This event was organized by Dr Yiming Chen, the school director of postgraduate research.

MSc Cultural and Creative Industries Held Open Day

20 April, the Open Day for the MSc Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) attracted nearly eighty students and parents interested in this programme. During the event, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, the Dean of SoFTA and Associate Dean of AFCT, introduced the structure and faculty of the Academy. Dr Yiqing Yang, CCI Programme Director, provided details about the programme curriculum and its four pathways. Pinyi Zhang from the Graduate School shared the application steps for postgraduate admissions. CCI first-year students Yilin Li and Sihan Sun shared their experiences and insights after studying in the programme for a year. Technical staff Yingyi Xu led the students and parents to tour the AS building facilities. This event allowed prospective students and their parents to learn more about the CCI programme and directly interact with the faculty and current students.

The School of Film and TV Arts Outreach for Sustainability (SoS) Hosted a Second-Hand Market for Earth Day

In conjunction with the Sustainability Council, the School of Film and TV Arts Outreach for Sustainability (SoS) ran the Second-Life Market to honour Earth Day and the theme Planet vs Plastics. SoS collected second-hand plastic item donations and gave them away so that they have a ‘Second-Life.’ The event occurred on Earth Day, 22 April, from 12:00-2:00 and reached staff and students. The event also had participants write down how they reduced their plastic usage to help inspire others. The event was a great success, giving out more than half of the collected time, and many participants asked for this event to be run more often.

Filmmaking Programme Invited Oscar-nominated and France-travel Director Shuibo Wang to Give a Master Talk

On 13 May, the Filmmaking programme invited Shuibo Wang, a member of the judging panel for MEGA, to give a talk on the topic of “My Journey - From Assistant of Master to Academy Award Nominated Director”. In the late 1990s, Shuibo completed an autobiographical animated documentary at the animation studio created by experimental filmmaker Norman McLaren, which earned him an Academy Award nomination and marked the beginning of his film career. At the event, Shuibo screened his latest feature documentary, a film about a German Jewish artist who went into exile in Shanghai during World War II, titled "Who is David Ludwig Bloch?" and shared the behind-the-scenes stories with the teachers and filmmaking students present in the cinema.

Qian Zhuang Participated in the "City Lecture" Event Jointly Launched by XJTLU, Suzhou Traffic Radio, and Suzhou Children's Radio to Reveal Behind-the-scenes Stories of Films to Primary and Secondary School Students

The second episode of the third season of "City Lecture," jointly organized by XJTLU, Suzhou Traffic Radio, and Suzhou Children's Radio, focused on the theme of "Can One Person Make a Movie?!" This episode featured Ms. Qian Zhuang from the School of Film and TV Arts as the instructor, engaging 40 students in an in-depth exploration of the film production process. The class was held in a professional film studio at SoFTA, allowing students to delve into various aspects of filmmaking. Students also had the opportunity to tour the editing, recording and many other professional facilities, gaining insight into the technical and creative efforts involved in film production. This immersive experience aimed to give students a thorough understanding of the art of filmmaking. The class was live-streamed on 25 May, attracting nearly 367,000 views. Additionally, the class is now available on the XJTLU Learning Mall.

Students from Jilin High School of Arts and Sciences Visited XJTLU and the School of Film and TV Arts

On 8 June, as one part of the research program of Jilin Arts and Science High School, students visited XJTLU and SoFTA. The Dean of the School, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, introduced the school and its programmes, activities, academic staff, and advanced equipment in detail.

President of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Professor Nico Carpentier, Visits SoFTA

On 12 to 15 June 2024, Professor Nico Carpentier visited the School of Film and TV Arts and was awarded an honorary certificate as a visiting professor. Currently serving as the President of IAMCR (International Association for Media and Communication Research) and an Extraordinary Professor at Charles University in Prague, Professor Carpentier is a renowned European scholar in media research who has made outstanding contributions to art-based media studies. He has published over 40 monographs and edited volumes, as well as more than 200 papers, and has organized numerous art curatorial research events worldwide. In 2024, with the approval of XJTLU, Professor Carpentier was appointed as a visiting professor at the School of Film and TV Arts for a three-year term. During his visit, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, Dean of the SoFTA, presented Professor Carpentier with an honorary certificate as a visiting professor and engaged in extensive discussions on leveraging our practical advantages to promote research output. In the future, Professor Carpentier will collaborate with our school in talent cultivation, research projects, and other academic activities to enhance our school's global academic reputation and impact.

SoFTA Visited Shanghai Yaozhong Yaowah International School for Promoting School and Exploring collaborations

On 14 June 2024, SoFTA was invited to visit and engage in an academic exchange with the Yew Wah School of Shanghai Gubei and the Yew Chung International School of Shanghai. Both schools are affiliated with the renowned Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network, which has a long history in China. During the visit, Principal Douglas Woodruff and Vice-Principal Ray Zhang of Yew Wah School of Shanghai Gubei particularly introduced us to their art and design curriculum. The school dean, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, provided an elaborate introduction to SoFTA's educational model and philosophy at XJTLU. The two parties have agreed to collaborate on future curriculum development and practical activities. The programme director of Filmmaking, Cheng Fang, and the school director of postgraduate research, Dr Yiming Chen, were also present during this visit.

SoFTA Organized a Team-building Day

During the reading week, SoFTA organized a team-building day for its staff. The staff experienced friendship, sports spirit, trust and joy through several team-building activities, such as a Frisbee competition. It was a great opportunity for the staff to get to know each other outside of work, form a community, and bring each other closer.

Research Achievements

New Book Chapter on Heritage Policy in Japan by Dr Takao Terui

Dr Takao Terui's new book chapter, "Lost in Translation: Japan Heritage and the New Direction of Heritage Policy in Japan," was published in April. It is included in the edited volume "Cultural Heritage in Japan and Italy: Perspectives for Tourism and Community Development," published by Springer：https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-97-1499-5_4

Yao Ge and Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore Attended "The Pan-Asian Quest for Cultural Authenticity" Event and Presented their Research on the Adaptation of Chinese Folklore in Contemporary Commercial Cinema

Yao Ge and Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore from the School of Film and TV Arta recently contributed to the academic discourse at "The Pan-Asian Quest for Cultural Authenticity," hosted by Ningbo Nottingham University. This prestigious event, backed by The Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies (IAPS) & the School of International Communications at the University of Nottingham, illuminated the intricate intersections of culture and cinema. Presenting their research on the adaptation of Chinese folklore in contemporary commercial cinema, they examined acclaimed films like "Ne Zha" (2019) and "Jiang Ziya" (2020). Their insightful analysis sparked dynamic conversations among scholars, enhancing our comprehension of cultural narratives in modern filmmaking.

Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore Presents Academic Conference Paper on Confucian Folkloric in New Mainstream Science Fiction Film: The China Dream in Imagined Future

Dr Andriano-Moore presented a paper at "The Pan-Asian Quest for Cultural Authenticity: The Fantastic and the Folkloric in Film and the Creative Industries Conference" at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. The paper illuminates the recurring narrative roles of China’s Confucian folkloric in eight contemporary Chinese science fiction films and finds that harmony, collectivism, Tianxia, and filial piety are harnessed to save the world. The findings are contextualised with policy and initiatives, such as the China Dream and the "Several Opinions on Promoting the Development of Science Fiction Films", which promote the continued development of new mainstream type science fiction films, like the ones in this study. The presentation sparked a lengthy Q&A session afterwards as it stimulated the audience to think about the state of contemporary science fiction and Confucianism in the media.

Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore Delivered a Research Paper to the Department of English at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, USA

Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore was invited to give a research presentation on East Asian film industries to staff and students in the Film Studies concentration at Appalachian State University in the United States. Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore presented a paper on the China-Hollywood relationship in the 2010s and its impact on Hollywood science fiction. Through a political economy of film theoretical framework, the paper examines national and international laws and policies of the era and conducts a narrative analysis of 16 Hollywood science fiction films and TV shows. The examination reveals recurring national images of China and the USA in the films and shows.

Dr Yiming Chen Presented Two Papers at an International Conference Themed Chinese Media Discourse in the Digital Era

The two papers authored by Dr Yiming Chen were selected for the international conference on Chinese News Discourse in the Digital Era, held on 13 to 14 June 2024. He respectively presented the papers titled "The Construction of Tech Identity AI Digital Humans in Chinese News Discourse: A Techno-Cultural Discourse Analysis Approach" and "National Populist Discourses and Their Generation Logic on Chinese Social Media during the Pandemic." The conference was organized by the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, and co-organized by the Department of Literature and Translation at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore Presents Academic Conference Paper on Confucian Folkloric in New Mainstream Science Fiction Film: The China Dream in Imagined Future

Dr Stephen Andriano-Moore has a chapter in Dr Richard Ravalli’s edited collection Lucas: His Hollywood Legacy, published by the University of Kentucky Press. The chapter illuminates George Lucas and his company’s position in the history of film sound from an industrial standpoint by examining Lucasfilm companies that have impacted the film industry: Skywalker Sound and THX. The chapter also discusses how these companies raised the status of film sound within the industry and for audiences. Contact S.AndrianoMoore@xjtlu.edu.cn for a copy of the book.

Dr Yang Li was Invited as the Reviewer for the International Flagship Publication of the Asian Cinema Studies Society

Dr Yang Li was invited to take the role of peer reviewer for the international flagship publication of the Asian Cinema Studies Society (ACSS), Asian Cinema, from April to May 2024. Please see the official websites of the journal: https://www.intellectbooks.com/asian-cinema

Dr Takao Terui was Appointed as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

In May 2024, Dr Takao Terui, at the School of Film and TV Arts, was elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. The fellowship recognizes the contributions made by a wide range of historical researchers.

Yao Ge’s Short Film Selected in International Film Festivals

Yao Ge from the School of Film and TV Arts recently earned the distinction of having her short film "The Sun in My Heart" selected for multiple international film festivals. The film is set to feature in the 2024 Beijing International Children’s Film Festival, Italy’s Dieciminuti Film Festival, Italy’s Festival Internazionale Segni della Notte, New Zealand’s Third Culture Film Festival NZ, and the United States’ The Indie Film Gathering, among others.

Yibin Yu Composes Music for "Mirage" Installation at Design Shanghai-Xintiandi Design Festival

"Mirage" is a collaborative installation between the Design School of XJTLU and MARS, with lead designers Jess Yu and Ning Ma. Inspired by the fireworks art of Cai Guo-Qiang, the project integrates childhood memories and the universal imagery of fireworks, resonating with the "Hybrid Playground" theme of this year's Xintiandi Design Festival. It captures the romance of blooming fireworks through dynamic light and flowing lines. The project invited Yibin Yu from the School of Film and TV Arts to compose music, and by integrating the BWEE Magic light-sound synchronization system, it offers an immersive experience.

Academic Activities

Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai and Dr Yiming Chen were Invited to Hengdian Film and Television's Internal Seminar with the Theme "Setting Sails Across the World with Short Dramas"

On 27 April 2024, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn, the Dean of the School of Film and TV Arts, and Dr Yiming Chen were invited to participate in an exclusive conference centred around the global expansion of short dramas. This event brought together prominent industry platforms, seasoned producers, and scholars from various universities to explore strategies for advancing the international growth of the short drama industry and to seek innovative collaboration models. The seminar brought together leading industry platforms, seasoned producers, and academic experts from top film and television universities to discuss new strategies, cooperation models, and innovative approaches for promoting the development of the short drama industry globally. Addressing the current shortage of bilingual film and television talents, Professor Mai highlighted the significance of talent cultivation through practical projects and presented the bilingual teaching model of the SoFTA and its achievements in nurturing international film and television talents. The closed-door event was co-hosted by Zhejiang Hengdian Film and Television Group Service Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Xili Quanming Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd.

Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai Led the School of Film and TV Arts Faculty to the 7th Media Practice Teaching Innovation Seminar in Chongqing

On 25 May, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai led faculty members from the School of Film and TV Arts to Chongqing to participate in the 7th Media Practice Teaching Innovation Seminar and the Annual Meeting of the Experimental Teaching Professional Committee of the China University Film and Television Society. The event assembled over 200 universities, more than 30 enterprises, and over 700 experts and scholars from various sectors, including industry, academia, research, and application in the field of audio-visual practical teaching. They convened to engage in profound discussions on the innovation of media practice teaching in the AI era and AIGC innovation within university media. During this prestigious conference, Professor Mai delivered a keynote speech.

Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai Attends the Third (Expanded) Meeting of the Seventh Board of Directors of the Suzhou Film and Television Artists Association

On 13 June, the Third Meeting of the 7th Suzhou Film and Television Artists Association (expanded) was held at the Suzhou Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The School Dean, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, attended the meeting as a board member. Mr. Jianguo Leng, a member of the Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Suzhou Federation of Literary and Art Circles, attended the meeting and made a speech. Ms. Ling Shen, the Suzhou Film and Television Artists Association Chairman, made a work report. Long Chen, Peijun Shu, Xiaoxiong Wang, Run Liu, and other members of the board and invited representatives attended the meeting. Professor Mai shared her experience in talent cultivation, student performance, and the MEGA International Creative Media Festival held by the XJTLU School of Film and TV Arts.

Visiting Professor Nico Carpentier Delivers Two Lectures During Academic Visit

SoFTA visiting professor Nico Carpentier, the International Association of Media and Communication Research president, was invited to visit the school. During his academic visit on 13 June 2024, he delivered two lectures for our School’s faculty members and students, entitled “Strategies for Getting Published in International Peer-reviewed Journals” and “Arts-based Research as a Tool for Producing and Communicating Academic Knowledge”. The lectures also attracted participants from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Design School. Additionally, the Dean of the School, Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai and Professor Carpentier discussed the school's future development, including international conference organization, the establishment of international academic partnerships, and the possibility of focusing on art practice-based research, etc.

Students’ Achievements & News

Year 3 TV Production Student Team Wins Best TV Show at the 4th MEGA International Creative Media Festival for Their Variety Show

Led by Tianzuo Shi, the Year 3 TV Production student team's variety show "City Destination," produced in the FTA224 Minor TV Project module, won the Best TV Show award at the 4th MEGA International Creative Media Festival. The show depicts a treasure hunt competition between two groups of friends in Suzhou, exploring unique spots in the city's most popular attractions. "City Destination" has been highly praised for its entertainment value and creativity by faculty and students at the School. Congratulations to the production team members: Shuyue Cao, Yaoyao Huang, Zihan Shan, Yizhuo Wang, Qianru Ye, Yingshan Yu, and Siyu Zheng.

SoFTA Faculty and Students Win Awards in National and International 48-hour Virtual Production Contests for College Students

From 18 to 21 May, students Zehan Lu, Yifei Jiang, and Yanqi He from the Digital Media Arts programme, along with their instructor Yiran Yu from the Filmmaking programme, participated in the final of the National 48-hour Virtual Production Contest for College Students. Over the intense 48-hour creation period, the team deeply explored state-of-the-art virtual production technologies and successfully completed and submitted their work "Go with the Wind". This work won the Winning Work of the Year award in the 2024 National 48-hour Virtual Production Contest and represented the Chinese region at the International 48-hour Virtual Production Competition for College Students, where it received the Good Work of the Year award in 2024.

Master's student in Cultural and Creative Industries, Yilin Li, Created the Documentary "Imperial Kiln Brick," which has Won Multiple International Film Festival Awards

The documentary "Imperial Kiln Brick," produced by Yilin Li, a Master's student in Cultural and Creative Industries at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, takes the national intangible cultural heritage of Suzhou—the Imperial Kiln Golden Bricks—as its core creative element. By delving into its history and intertwining the story of inheritor Jin Jin, the documentary vividly showcases the unique charm and profound cultural significance of the Imperial Kiln Golden Bricks through its lens. To date, "Imperial Kiln Brick" has won the following awards: the "Amazing Female Filmmaker" award at the Kalakari Film Fest in India, the "Best Documentary" award at the Aasha International Film Festival, the "Best Documentary" award at the Dabieshan Student Film Festival, the "Jiangnan Culture Award" at the MEGA International Creative Media Festival; it was a finalist at the University of Pennsylvania's Double Exposure Film Festival, won the Excellent Work Award at the 5th Guangzhou International Urban Images Festival, won the Best Documentary Award at the 7th Dabieshan Student Film Festival and was a finalist at the Deauville Green Awards-Young Creative Awards in France and the Kinofestival-Light of the World in Russia.

Alumni Stories | Zhanyin Xiao: From the School of Film and TV Arts at XJTLU to the American Film Institute, Finding His Own Voice!

Zhanyin Xiao, a 2022 graduate of the TV Production programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Film and TV Arts, is the first student from the school to be accepted by the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI). From transitioning from Applied Mathematics to TV Production to furthering his studies at AFI, Zhanyin Xiao’s journey has been marked by solid steps and numerous challenges.

Illuminating Lives through Documentary: The Inspiring Journey of Xuetao Liu

The stranger is Xuetao Liu, a Year Four BA Filmmaking student from China at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). During her undergraduate studies, Liu has devoted her time to shedding light on the lives of marginalised groups through documentaries. Her subjects range from Alzheimer’s patients, visually impaired people, and elderly people in rural China.

The 2024 TV Show Festival Showcases the Best Productions from the TV Production Programme

On 27 March, the TV Production programme held its TV Show Festival showcasing student productions from Semester One. The TV Production staff submitted and judged student productions from the modules Insert Production, Minor TV Project, and Social Media and Video. 68 Awards were given to top-achieving students for their quality shows. Students from TV Production and their friends joined in watching a selection of the winning shows.

Wai Kit Leong and TV Production Y2 Students Host "It Takes Two" Game Show Taster Event

Wai Kit Leong and her "Studio Roles and Responsibilities" module from the TV Production Programme ran a special programme taster event on 20 May. The FTA118 students created a game show called It Takes Two and invited Year 1 students to participate as game show contestants. The show was recorded live, and the Year 1 and 2 students watched the game show and hung out for a while, talking about the TV Production Programme and the fun of making entertainment programmes.

Year 1 Students are introduced to the World of Live Streaming at a TV Production Transfer Taster Event

Live streaming quickly became one of the most popular forms of advertising, marketing, and social media vlogging. On 22 May, SoFTA teachers Yiran Yu and Alex Guo delivered a live-streaming workshop to Year 1 students in the AS building as a TV Production Transfer Taster Event. The workshop utilized SoFTA’s newly acquired, multi-camera live streaming switch box and Sony F3 cameras. The students learned how to develop content for live streaming and use industry-standard equipment to broadcast shows over the Internet.

Digital Media Arts Programme Held Graduation Exhibition Award Ceremony

The Digital Media Arts Graduation Exhibition Award Ceremony held on 16 May, marked the conclusion of the 2024 Digital Media Arts Graduation Exhibition, which took place from 10 to 16 May. The Graduation Exhibition has received unanimous praise from both within and outside the school and the industry. Dean Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai and supervisors in the DMA programme presented awards to the senior graduates and celebrated their achievements. The ceremony was joyful, highlighting the students’ hard work and creativity.

Filmmaking Programme Held the Student Director Film Screening

On 30 May, the screening of the student director film successfully concluded at AS Cinema. We showcased the works of eight student directors. For these student directors, these eight films are an academic accomplishment, a profound reflection, and a delicate perception of life, self, and society. Each student director conveys unique perspectives and voices through their works, demonstrating creative abilities and ways of engaging in a dialogue with the world.

The First Cohort of Y2 Postgraduate Students of Culture and Creative Industries Has Successfully Completed Their Master's Thesis Defence

The first cohort of Year 2 graduate students in Cultural and Creative Industries, specializing in content production, creative industry, and content industry pathways, successfully defended their master's theses from 13 to 16 May 2024. The research topics chosen by this cohort of students demonstrate foresight and diversity while showcasing a profound understanding and appropriate application of professional knowledge.

Culture and Creative Industries Year 1 Students Pathway Choice Interview

In April, CCI year one students decided on their pathway directions, choosing from content producing, creative industries, cultural industries, and interactive media. A total of 110 students were interviewed individually by pathway teachers from 2 to 15 April. Of these students, 35 chose the producing pathway, 37 chose the creative industries pathway, 30 chose the cultural industries pathway, and 8 chose the interactive media pathway for their second-year study.

School of Film and TV Arts Hosts Study Tour in Xiangshan, Ningbo

In early June, the School of Film and TV Arts organized a study tour in Xiangshan, Ningbo. Under the guidance of Yibin Yu, 11 Y3 students gained an in-depth understanding of the film and television production process. They visited Xiangshan Film and Television Studio, experienced an immersive action drama performance, and toured the Haiying prop warehouse. The students also learned about underwater filming techniques and experienced the tension and coordination of film production on the set of "Soaring in the Green Field." The interaction with Director Li Tian provided the students with valuable industry insights.

Former Graduates from the School of Film and TV Arts Returned to Visit Teachers

On 2nd May, former graduates of the School of Film and TV Arts, including Yining Zhou, Fenghao Li, Muge Li, and Zixuan Guo, returned to the School to visit Professor Li-Chuan Evelyn Mai, the School Dean, and other faculty members. This warm visit brought joy to the teachers and allowed the alumni to relive their school days, sharing their experiences and achievements since graduation.

Upcoming Events

The SoFTA Alumni Group will Officially Launch on 30 July, Driving the Development of the Film and Television Industry!

The SoFTA Alumni Group (Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University School of Film and TVArts Alumni Association) held its first two offline planning meetings on 22 April and 5 June. The official launch is scheduled for 30 July, coinciding with the SoFTA graduation ceremony. This non-profit organization, guided by the XJTLU Alumni Office and founded by SoFTA alumni, aims to connect and serve alumni, foster communication and collaboration, and advance the film and television industry.

The School of Film and TV Arts will Officially Launch the MEGA Master Class this Summer

To foster the interconnectivity of film and television programmes across Chinese universities and to cultivate new creative talents for the Chinese film market, the MEGA Master Class at SoFTA has completed its registration and will officially commence from 8 to 18 July 2024. The Master Class boasts a robust faculty, including award-winning director Youning Li, nominated screenwriter Bing Li, and senior teachers from SoFTA. Those who complete the course will be awarded the graduation certificate provided by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

The School of Film and TV Arts at XJTLU is Now Enrolling for the DaVinci Resolve International Certification Training Center's Summer Basic Course!

The DaVinci Resolve International Certification Training Center, established by the School of Film and TV Arts at XJTLU, is an authorized professional training institution by the globally renowned film and television technology provider, Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd. From 25 to 30 August, SoFTA will offer a summer basic course open to the public. The course comprehensively covers professional film and television production processes and specialized knowledge of the DaVinci Resolve software, including media management, quick editing, fine editing, colour grading, audio, visual effects composition, and output delivery. Professional teachers from SoFTA, DaVinci Resolve international certified instructors, and senior colourists from the industry will guide students through practical cases of different types such as movies, commercials, and short videos, teaching them to use the DaVinci Resolve software proficiently, master the colour grading workflow, and help them successfully pass the international certification exam.

SoFTA in the Media

The 4th MEGA International Creative Media Festival Series Media Coverage:

Nearly 30 domestic media sources featured the festival's call for submissions, renowned judges and the opening ceremony, including popular publications like Guangming Daily, Modern Express, Yangtze Evening Post, Jiangnan Times, Suzhou Daily, and Suzhou Broadcasting System, published 34 news reports. After being forwarded by many other media, a total of 57 news were monitored.

Internationally, the festival gained significant exposure through a press release sent out via PR Newswire. The release reached 179 media outlets, resulting in an average 450.9K potential audience and generating 11.6k views.

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苏州儿童广播：一个人就能拍电影？看完你就明白了！

苏州电视台-看苏州：直播回顾 | 城市课堂第三季：第二课：《一个人也能拍电影？！》

现代快报：在喧嚣中找寻宁静，西交利物浦大学艺术装置“城市花火”绽放上海街头

江苏省广播电视总台-我苏网：做教育∣在喧嚣中找寻宁静，西交利物浦大学艺术装置“城市花火”绽放上海街头

苏州日报-引力播：苏州高校师生参与设计艺术装置“城市花火”绽放上海街头

苏州日报（6月25日A06版）：“城市花火”绽放上海街头

都市快报-橙柿互动抖音号：一颗种子，无限未来 ｜ 学海无涯，勤奋为舟；梦想在望，拼搏成桥。西交利物浦大学学子的探索之旅从这里启航，迈向独属自己的未来！

贵州日报-天眼新闻抖音号：一颗种子，无限未来 ｜ 学海无涯，勤奋为舟；梦想在望，拼搏成桥。西交利物浦大学学子的探索之旅从这里启航，迈向独属自己的未来！

西部网：与行业紧密合作，西交利物浦大学培养高端复合型人才