The 2025 CDFG Youth Film Festival (Yantai) comes to a successful conclusion on July 14. [Photo/WeChat account: daoyanxiehui2022]

Organized by the China Film Directors' Guild, the 2025 CDFG Youth Film Festival (Yantai) gathered Chinese directors from different eras, creating a space for dialogue among film professionals and enthusiasts. The event not only fosters collaboration but also infuses energy into the future of Chinese cinema.

Held in Yantai, East China's Shandong province from July 11 to 14, the film festival served as a flagship screening event for the "CFDG Young Director Support Program".

The event featured two main sections. Works by emerging film directors, such as Growing Apart, A Long Shot, and A Song Sung Blue, showcased the boundless potential of Chinese cinema, while classic films like Mountains May Depart and Girl From Hunan highlighted the enduring charm of cinematic art.

Over the course of four days, a total of 10 films were screened and five professional sharing and dialogue sessions were held. Renowned filmmakers such as Xie Fei and Shozo Ichiyama engaged in face-to-face interactions with the audience.

"I want to give a special thanks to the people of Yantai, especially those who have actively participated in the Youth Film Festival these past few days. I hope to return to Yantai next year with the latest and greatest classic film works," said Jia Zhangke, president of the China Film Directors' Guild.