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Origins

The Panda Vision International Film Festival (PVIFF) was founded in 2025 at Cogdel School Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Born out of a passion for storytelling, creativity, and cultural exchange, the festival was designed to give middle and high school filmmakers a global platform to showcase their cinematic vision. The name “Panda Vision” pays tribute to Sichuan’s most iconic symbol, the giant panda - representing curiosity, creativity, and global connection.

Mission

From the beginning, PVIFF has focused on nurturing the next generation of storytellers by:

  • Providing an international stage for student films.

  • Encouraging cross-cultural dialogue through cinema.

  • Supporting young filmmakers with workshops, panels, and professional feedback.

  • Celebrating innovation across diverse film categories: Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation and AI films.

The Inaugural Festival (2025)

The first edition of PVIFF was held on May 8, 2025. It brought together student filmmakers from around the world—including China, the United Kingdom, Russia, USA, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The event featured:

  • Film Screenings across four categories.

  • Workshops on filmmaking, editing, and visual storytelling.

  • Awards Ceremony recognizing excellence in filmmaking, including Best Narrative, Best Documentary, Best Experimental, Best One minute film, Jury Prize and the Grand Prize.

Notable Winners (2025):

  • Best Documentary & Grand Prize: Whence the Wind Blows (China–UK)

  • Best Narrative: Buffoonery of Chris and Ostar (Kazakhstan)

  • Best Experimental: Hey, How Are You? (Russia)

  • Best Cinematography: Growing Up with Chinese Egrets (China)

  • Grand Jury Prize: Hider (China)

The inaugural festival not only celebrated remarkable student films but also established PVIFF as a pioneering international platform for young creators.

Growth and Expansion

Following its successful debut, PVIFF quickly gained recognition as one of the leading youth-focused film festivals in Asia. Its emphasis on student voices, international collaboration, and creative freedom set it apart from other festivals. Each year, the festival continues to expand its reach, attracting submissions from new regions and building bridges between schools, educators, and aspiring filmmakers.

The Second Edition (2026)

The second edition of PVIFF was held on March 26, 2026, at Cogdel School Chengdu, marking a defining moment in the festival's young history. The growth was extraordinary: from 7 participating countries in 2025 to 64 countries and regions in 2026 — a nearly fivefold increase.

 

The festival received 606 submissions from around the world, from which 49 films were officially selected across four competition categories: Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, and One-minute film. The final selection represented over 20 countries, bringing together young filmmakers from five continents to share their stories, cultures, and cinematic perspectives.

 

The 2026 program included:

  • Red carpet ceremony and grand opening.

  • Public screenings of all official selections.

  • A masterclass on "Art and AI" led by director Chen Xinzhong.

  • Awards ceremony and closing celebration.

 

The 2026 jury was composed of 7 distinguished professionals from the fields of film, visual arts, and education, including acclaimed director Lan Canzhao (Cannes and Berlin International Film Festival awardee), director Wang Yuting (who worked on Jiang Wen's productions), Spanish experimental media artist Alvaro Collar, US-based director Chen Xinzhong, independent documentary filmmaker Ma Zhandong, animation educator Wu Yanjun, and interdisciplinary artist Zhang Jin.

 

Notable Winners (2026):

  • Best Narrative Film, Best Editing, Best Cinematography & Grand Prize: Minotaur — Daisy Harrison-Constantinides (United Kingdom)

  • Grand Prize & Best Director: A Summer Holiday Submerged — Tong Hua (China)

  • Best Documentary: Ride Through the Clouds — Zhu Ruoshui & Xu Yiyang (China); The Slow Express — Taegyeong Bahk (South Korea)

  • Best Experimental Film: Vitamors — Hugo Dantas (Portugal); Nameless Faces — Feng Guanqin & Long Sijia (China)

  • International Grand Jury Prize: Eversnow — Peter Lukacs (Hungary)

  • Chinese Grand Jury Prize: Look Straight At Me — Yi Wenyang (China)

  • Best Social Impact Film: Foundation — Jack Hinz (Australia)

  • Best Storytelling Award: A Song for a Gun — Zartosht Chavoshi (Iran)

  • Special Jury Recommendation: Most Promising Filmmaker: MAKSYM & MILANA — Students of C.E.I.P. Serreria Public School (Spain)

 

In total, 13 official jury awards and 4 Audience Choice Awards were presented. The 2026 edition confirmed PVIFF's rapid rise as a truly international platform for youth cinema.

Looking Ahead: PVIFF 2027

The third edition of the Panda Vision International Film Festival is scheduled for March 25, 2027, at Cogdel School Chengdu. Building on two successful years, PVIFF 2027 will introduce several important developments:

  • New Competition Category: AI Film (AIGC) — A dedicated section for films created using Artificial Intelligence Generated Content technologies. Open to all genres, with a maximum runtime of 8 minutes.

  • Expanded International Outreach — Continuing to attract submissions from more countries and regions worldwide.

  • Enhanced Educational Program — More workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions with industry professionals.

  • Growing Awards Program — Recognizing excellence across narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and AI filmmaking.

The festival remains committed to its founding values: empowering young filmmakers, amplifying their stories, and connecting cultures through the universal language of film.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact the Festival Organizing Committee:

Email: info.gpff@cogdel.com
Website: www.pandavisionfest.com

Panda Vision International Film Festival is more than just a competition - it’s a community, a learning experience, and a celebration of youth creativity that continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers.

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