First micro documentary festival held in Yunnan

In a so-called “micro age” when short videos are getting increasingly popular, new forms of art have also emerged, such as “micro film.” Over the weekend, a festival celebrating micro documentary was held in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

The inaugural event, called the “Belt and Road” International Micro Documentary Festival, attracted 250 entries from 10 Asian countries and regions, including Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and S. Korea.

Hou Sheng, director of the PR department in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture where the event was held, came up with the idea several months ago. He told CGTN that he was “acutely aware of the ‘micro age’” and how to produce micro works that combines newsworthiness, truthfulness and artistry deserves exploration.

He noted the role of Dehong, which shares a long border with Myanmar, as a frontier facing South Asia and Southeast Asia. He said Dehong is trying to promote cultural exchanges by taking advantage of the new trend.

A micro documentary from Thailand was shown during the event.

“People-to-people connectivity is an important aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative. I hope the event featuring this new kind of art form can contribute to building mutual understanding among the Belt and Road countries, and bring them closer together,” Hou said.

The documentaries featured a wide range of subjects, from stories on the borders to cultural protection and the lives of ordinary people in different countries.

“It is a very good platform that the media from Southeast Asia can come to join and express ideas together. This is a very good opportunity to learn from each other,” said Acharawadee Buaklee from Thai Public Broadcasting Service.

The documentary from her organization "Knocking at Your Door" depicts the trend of a growing number of Chinese people moving to Southeastern Asian countries and how it is impacting locals’ life.

For many participants, it’s a fresh experience with a lot of potential.

An unveiling ceremony of the Creation Base for “B&R” Micro Documentaries in Dehong during the event.

Wook Steven Heo, a professor from the Yong-in University in S. Korea, said most of the works here are “much more like experimental style.”

Zhang Jizhong, a well-known TV director in China, is the festival chairman. Zhang has expressed confidence in the festival's future, suggesting that it should make full use of modern technology.

“I think the organizer can try to establish a special website or cooperate with some well-known online platforms to collect works from all over the world. In this way, they will also be disseminated to a wider number of audiences. This is the best way to make the event last with a good trend,” Zhang told CGTN.

(CGTN)