With the Chinese film industry currently going from strength to strength, renowned director and actor Xu Zheng was recently announced as a mentor for the second Pingyao International Film Festival, with the aim of encouraging budding filmmakers to unleash their creativity to make exciting, high-quality films.
I look forward to working with some of China's freshest film talent and fellow filmmakers in Pingyao. The festival is a massive opportunity for industry professionals to receive mass-audience exposure, said Xu, in a video recorded for the festival.
As a mentor for the young filmmakers, Xu will get to select one film to be screened during the festival, which lasts from Oct 11 to 20.
And attendees to the festival will get the chance to watch the trailblazing director in conversation with Jia Zhangke on Oct 17 –– expected to be one of the highlight's of the event.
Born in Shanghai in 1972, Xu Zheng is an actor, director, producer and screenwriter with achievements in the worlds of theater, film and television. Lost in Thailand and Lost in Hong Kong, which he directed, remain the highest-grossing films in China's movie history. Throughout his career he has constantly worked to share his experience and mentor promising new industry talents.
