The Shanghai International Film Festival is to work together with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination on a talent database aimed at creating more opportunities for international first-time filmmakers.

Winners of the International Student Shorts Award, a highlight of this year's 11th Shanghai International Film Festival, are among those added to the database.

They include Mexican young director Federico Schmucler, whose short Reality Show won the top prize, and Israel student filmmaker Yishai Orian, named Best Director for Happy Birthday Yemima.

This year's award had the theme "Better City, Better Life" and urged international students to record and spotlight colorful city life from different angles.

"Such a theme conforms with that of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo," said Professor Jin Guanjun from Shanghai University, a co-organizer of the award. "In this era of new media, visual means have been increasingly adopted by young people to make themselves heard."

Shen Yang, an official from the organizing committee of the Shanghai International Film Festival said: "We will search for young talents from other influential film festivals and famous film institutes around the world.

"The most promising ones will also be recommended for the Asian New Talent Award and are likely to receive funds for shooting from local producers."

The database will also serve as a stage for young people to communicate with each other. Work will be shown on China Central Television's movie channel and at local film schools.

The Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination will also provide cash prizes for the International Student Shorts Award in the future. Some makers may be chosen to produce short public-interest ads for the Shanghai World Expo.

(Shanghai Daily July 13, 2008)