The 4th annual Chinese Young Generation Film Forum opened on November 1 in Beijing, with a focus on filmmakers from Taiwan.

The weeklong forum will discuss the new perspectives of young filmmakers from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

Renowned Taiwan directors Li Xing, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Chu Yin-Ping led several young filmmakers to the event. This included Leon Dai, an actor-turned-director whose latest work, No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti, is vying for a shot at next year's best foreign-language film Oscar.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Taiwan's leading director, said at the opening ceremony, "Taiwan's film industry has been in decline, but it's different here in the mainland. Young filmmakers have more opportunities here."

Seeking cooperation opportunities, the directors from Taiwan will meet with their mainland counterparts, including Jia Zhangke and Lu Chuan, in a summit meeting and two round-table conferences in the following days.

Another goal of the forum is to promote young directing talent. A meeting on November 4 will bring young directors from the mainland and Taiwan face-to-face with investors.

A screening session during the forum will show moviegoers more than 40 films by directors from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Fourteen of the films feature first-time directors.

The Chinese Young Generation Film Forum is jointly sponsored by the China Film Association and Film Art magazine.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 2, 2009)