Xia Hao receiving the New Chinese Film Talents Fund Forum Award in Cannes, where he was given a support fund worth RMB 1 million ($161,000) for the film's production budget. (Photo : The Hollywood Reporter)
Cannes Film Festival granted Chinese film director Xia Hao the prestigious New Chinese Film Talents Fund Forum (NCFTFF) Award for his directorial project, "No. 23."
The director received a support fund worth RMB 1 million ($161,000) for the film's budget.
According to American entertainment agency Variety, the financing of the prize came from Cannes Market, Champs Lis and Project A: Jackie Chan’s Young Filmmaker Development Fund.
It is also a partnership between kung fu superstar Jackie Chan and Marche du Film, the business counterpart of the Cannes Film Festival and one of the largest film markets in the world.
Founded in 2013, NCFTFF is part of the inaugural Cannes China Summit and is facilitated by Marche.
The event aims to encourage and support promising young Chinese filmmakers as well as provide production funds for the winning director's film project.
This year, there are eight Chinese directors who participated in the forum.
“Each of the eight directors and projects was unique and full of potential, and we are proud of such a fantastic line-up. We wish all the participants all the best for themselves and their projects in the future and we look forward to seeing them back in Cannes with their finished films,” said Jerome Paillard, executive-director of the Marche du Film.
Xia's "No. 23" revolves around the life story of a color blind art student majoring in painting, who fell in love with his outspoken female classmate. When the girl rejected him, he started using an illegal erotic call service line and began uncovering the world of colors.
