Do you believe in the mediating power of the cinema? Do you have an idea related to films that you want to test out?
The first edition of Future Talent Programme was launched in 2020. Its objective is to provide a platform and mentorship for students and graduates to gain practical experience, as well as to testify their ideas in grassroot film diplomacy.
The organisation will support their initiatives via our opportunities, network, mentorship and resources. This programme is different from a standard internship. We are looking for individuals who have ideas and who are brave to put them into experiment. Any initiative or expertise is welcome, as long as they follow the organisation’s mission.
Selected members will also have a priority opportunity to join the organising committee of Odyssey, our annual film festival.
The UK-China Film Collab is a unique and one of its kind non-profit organisation, a formerly funded research project supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UKRI. Our mission is to inspire and encourage film related collaboration and constructive debate between the UK, Greater China and beyond, through communication improvement, original project design, R&D, talent development and advocacy.
Who are we looking for?
You are a UK based student or recent graduate with some curiosity about China, from any disciplinary background.
You are committed to contributing (a tiny part) to world peace via your proposed project and future career. You are passionate about film, and have unique perspectives on film as art, culture, business and diplomacy. You are an unusually active researcher, who believes in the democratisation of knowledge. You are good at facilitation and recognise the importance in behind the scene cross-cultural facilitation. You value the success of a larger mission and are willing to support that mission. You have a sense of social responsibility and are ready to serve the community. You have a long-term vision about your contribution and recognise how your service will benefit the next generations.
The programme lasts for one year.
To apply for this programme, please send the following materials in English to admin@ukchinafilm.com by 31 Oct 2025, with an email subjected “Future Talent Programme 2025-2026”.
- CV
- A one-page statement to propose your project and to elaborate your vision on the future of UK-China film collaboration
Each year we will select no more than 8 members. Every year’s member selection will be conducted by the previous cohort.
After the programme, our members progress into different career directions. Some stay in academia to pursue a PhD, some become film critics, producers or curators.
Selected activities that we initiated, supported or organised:
The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru (UK distribution)
Lust, Caution (Re-release in the UK)
Exclusive Interview with Tsai Ming Liang for BFI London Film Festival 2024 by Lou Cai
Our success stories
Lou Cai has been an accredited journalist at the BFI London Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival since 2023.
Yawen Liu returned to Beijing after graduating from the London Film School and is now working as a producer at Beijing Sugarman Media.
Annabel Bai Jackson, an Oxfrod graduate in MSt in English is now Dorset Curatorial Fellow for Modern & Contemporary Projects at The National Gallery
Cara Cox, an Oxford graduate in BA Chinese Studies now works as Assistant Video Producer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Ketong Ou will start her Mphil studies in Film and Screen at the University of Cambridge in autumn 2025.
Shirley Lin started her own Chinese film festival brand in the Lake District – Mint Chinese Film Festival, in collaboration with Keswick Alhambra Cinema.
Are you the next generation of film diplomat?
Looking forward to hearing from you and let’s have an adventure! Apply and you will have a wonderful journey.
