The Third Hainan International Film Festival, guided by the China Film Administration, and co-hosted by China Media Group and People's Government of Hainan Province, will take place between December 5 and 12, 2020. China recently released the Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port to the world and, as an inseparable cultural hallmark, Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) will implement the all-new "four all" film festival model featuring "year-round exhibition, island-wide exhibition, national film viewing, and whole industry chain." HIIFF is committed to creating a "never-ending film festival" that is International, Academic, and Popular.
Screenings
The film screening is one of the essential cores of a film festival. Based on the previous two editions, HIIFF keeps exploring and gradually forms its distinct characteristics screening system. There are eight sections in total, including World Cinema, Asian Spectrum, China Vista, Reality Matters, Possibilities, Spotlight, Cinema Regained and Gala.
In the World Cinema Section, we carefully curate highly anticipated works from around the world including major film festivals, offering a look at contemporary cinema. Our broader perspectives focus on international filmmaking dynamics and showcase cinema's complexity and richness as an art form.
Asian Spectrum is an insight into cinemas across Asia including latest highlights from both acclaimed and emerging filmmakers. Given these films beget both artistic merits and topical interests, audiences will experience the flourishing viewpoints of Asian cinema.
As the name suggests, China Vista turns focus towards the finest Chinese films of the year selected across genres, topics and contemporary realities. We cover a multitude of genres and topics through an infusion of mature genre storytelling and a deep concern for reality. China Vista presents contemporary Chinese cinema in all its vigor and profound creative strengths.
Reality Matters explores bold, original voices from international documentary filmmakers reflecting contemporary issues and realities. Documentary filmmakers immerse themselves in life with sharp observations and a will to discover events. The very earth that nurtured growth is fertile grounds for their concerned eyes. When the creators across paths with their subjects, these filmmakers capture the fleeting lights of inspiration from the moment.
Possibilities is a gateway to film auteurs' refreshing views, who are known for their incredible originality, avant-garde temperament, and creative bursts. They dare to express themselves and communicate with the era. Their filmmaking experimentations knock on the boundaries of what defines cinema, just as they outline the sketches that would navigate our cinematic future.
Spotlight, a dedicated section bringing attention to filmmakers who helped shape the cinema we see today, and global cinemas influencing the course of film. Crucially, the generational changes and transferences of cinematic landscapes have always hinged on the collective efforts of determined filmmakers worldwide.
Cinema Regained will integrate the unique Outdoor Screenings on the beaches and trace back our admirations for the Classics and discoveries restored from the history of cinema. In the current golden age of returning to the silver screen, it is a time to experience the constant shifts in film narratives and aesthetics, and bring the past alive again from the perspective of the present.
Besides, this year will see the addition of a secret Gala Section, where favorite international stars, actors, and actresses will bring their new films to Hainan Island, and present a visual and aural feast for all the cinephiles.
HIIFF Competition Awards
The HIIFF Competition Awards is an annual large-scale cultural festival, approved by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee (China Film Administration). The Awards is dedicated to accelerating and promoting international film culture exchanges and collaborations, establishing close connections with international filmmakers and film and television industries. By constructing a platform that connects filmmakers, film industries, and audiences, we seek to push the film industry's development and facilitate the proliferation of film creations.
In 2019, the second Hainan Island International Film Festival's competition established its three categories: Feature-length Film, Feature-length Documentary, and Fiction Short Film. Based on our chronological advantages, the curatorial team produced "Retrospective of Best Films of the Year" and also selected a portion of world premieres and omitted films from film festivals.
Films encompass the images of countries and value systems. They contain the spirits and cultural elements of countries. Cinema is a fundamental part of national cultural soft power and global influence. HIIFF Competition Awards, through the artistic language of cinema, exudes the cosmopolitan charms of Hainan Island.
Currently, the Third Hainan Island International Film Festival is in full preparation mode for our 2020 edition. The submission for the HIIFF Competition Awards is open to filmmakers.
The HIIFF Competition Awards includes three categories: Feature-length Film, Feature-length Documentary, and Fiction Short Film. There are ten awards in total. For feature-length films, the following awards will be presented: Best Picture, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter, Best Artistic Contribution, and Best Children's Picture; for feature-length documentary and fiction shorts, Best Documentary and Best Short Film awards will be presented respectively.
The 2020 HIIFF Competition Awards registration time is between June 15, 12 AM to September 30, 12 PM, China Standard Time (GMT +8). Early November, the shortlisted films will be announced, and the awarded films will be announced during the 2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival. The HIIFF Competition Awards respect and encourage filmmakers working on and behind the scenes and across all genres of cinema. We want to sincerely reward exceptional filmmakers and films, supporting their future creations. Hainan Island International Film Festival anticipates the infusion of cinematic dreams with the most warmth. A letter of invitation to all worldwide filmmakers awaits your opening.
I. Eligibility Requirements
Films submitted for consideration in the Feature-length Film category of the 2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival Competition Awards are only eligible if they satisfy the following requirements:
1. Dramatic features must have been completed after August 15, 2019, and have not previously participated in this competition in any of its variations or cuts.
2. The duration of the film must be no less than 70 minutes.
3. The film delivered must conform to DCP (Digital Cinema Package) industry standards for theatrical screening.
Films submitted for consideration in the Feature-length Documentary category of the 2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival Competition Awards are only eligible if they satisfy the following requirements:
1. Documentary films must have been completed after August 15, 2019, and have not previously participated in this competition in any of its variations or cuts.
2. The duration of the film must be no less than 70 minutes.
3. The film delivered must conform to DCP (Digital Cinema Package) industry standards for theatrical screening.
Films submitted for consideration in the Fiction Short Film category of the 2020 Hainan Island International Film Festival Competition Awards are only eligible if they satisfy the following requirements:
1. Fiction short films must have been completed after August 15, 2019, and have not previously participated in this competition in any of its variations or cuts.
2. The duration of the film must be no more than 15 minutes.
3. The film delivered must conform to DCP (Digital Cinema Package) industry standards for theatrical screening.
II. Notice for Submission
1. Submission for Hainan Island International Film Festival Competition Awards must register and apply on the HIIFF Official Website during the registration opening window. All mandatory information about the submitted film must be filled. A downable link to the film sampler must be provided.
2. Please make sure all entries in the submission forms are correctly filled. Any entry omission or errors are the sole responsibility of the person filing the submission form. The Festival reserves the right to cancel the application where it deems necessary due to incomplete or incorrectly filled information. Upon reviewing and verifying all online submissions, our staff members will notify the participants regarding submission results via email. The receipt of an official email from the Festival confirms successful submission.
3. The Festival only accepts downloadable links for online screeners, which must satisfy the following standards:
(1) The video format is limited to MOV or MP4 files, with a minimum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
(2) The maximum video file size is 5GB;
(3) You may add watermarks.
(4) Films containing non-English dialogues must include hardcoded on-screen English subtitles;
(5) The submitted sampler version must be consistent with the actual film. The Festival reserves the right to reconsider and disqualify any project submissions with discrepancies between the sampler and the actual film.
4. Submissions received after the submission deadline has passed are ineligible for consideration; once submitted to the Festival, the submission cannot be withdrawn;
5. Film representatives who apply for consideration of their films in the Awards shall ensure that they have secured the consent of the legal film copyright owner and third-party rights holders for all trademarked and/or copyrighted materials where applicable, ensure that the submitted materials do not contain any defects in rights, and have read, understood and agreed to the terms of submission. The Festival is not responsible for any disputes caused by the violation of this Article;
6. Hainan Island International Film Festival reserves the right to reject any works that do not comply with Chinese Laws and Cultural Policies.
7. Hainan Island International Film Festival reserves the right to the final interpretation of the Articles in this Charter and other affairs not included hereof.
III. Link to Submit Your Film
https://filmfreeway.com/HainanIslandInternationalFilmFestival-1
and https://www.hiiff.com.cn/portal/participate/FilmSubmission
