Intl young directors use camera to tell the story of Guangxi

Ten young directors from seven countries and regions are creating films in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in collaboration with Chinese producers, using cameras to share the stories of 10 local people from various walks of life and to capture the vibrant development of modern Guangxi.

The event is part of the 2026 Looking China – Global Youth Film Project: Guangxi Journey, hosted by the School of Media and Communication at Guangxi Minzu University. Starting from April 8, they will use 17 days to finish their film projects.

Edwin Rodrigo Rivas Velasquez, a 25-year-old from Honduras studying at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, focuses his lens on Liu Yangyang, a director at Guangxi Television. Liu's passion for extreme sports began at age 20 with motorcycle riding, leading to a daring journey to Xizang autonomous region at 21. Over the past decade, he has embraced a variety of extreme sports, including racing, diving, rock climbing, and flying, embodying a life of courage and adventure.

Muhammad Fikri Firmansyah, 24, from Indonesia, is a student at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta. His documentary will spotlight the "tianqin", a traditional Zhuang plucked string instrument. Wei Haiyang, a teacher at Guangxi Arts University, is dedicated to preserving and innovating Zhuang music. By infusing modern harmonies into traditional performances, he has introduced the tianqin to a new generation, contributing to its cultural preservation.

Miranda Baca Catalan, a 22-year-old Mexican from Universidad Iberoamericana, will document Tang Yin, a visual design and landscape photography expert at Guangxi Minzu University. Known for his evocative, timeless photography, Tang is also a seasoned exhibition curator. The crew is poised to capture the preparation of the largest photography exhibition in recent years in Guangxi, curated by Tang, set to open on April 18.

These diverse stories promise to offer compelling insights into the dynamic cultural landscape of Guangxi, presenting its rich heritage and modern evolution through the eyes of international filmmakers.