The 16th edition of the CNEX Chinese Doc Forum (CCDF-16) is currently accepting submissions. To help creators understand the proposal process better and how to prepare, an in-person info session was held on April 22. CCDF invited two Taiwanese directors from the 15th edition, LEE Kang-Ling and Paul CHU, to share their pitching experiences and creative journeys with attending filmmakers.
During the session, both directors presented two versions of their trailers: the original version submitted with their initial application, and the final version developed after participating in the CCDF training workshops. The contrast between the two highlighted how mentorship and feedback from CCDF trainers helped them refine their narratives and adapt their storytelling approach for an international audience.
LEE Kang-Ling’s project Echoes from Beyond follows a young female internet personality and spirit medium who faces the challenge of raising funds to build a multimillion-dollar temple within three years. The film explores her quest for spiritual balance between traditional temple culture and the world of social media.
Paul CHU’s The Martial Artist tells the story of his father, a Taoist ink artist and long-time qigong practitioner, who at the age of 72 enters an amateur mixed martial arts competition—a physical journey that parallels his lifelong artistic exploration.
Both films are deeply rooted in Taiwanese society and Eastern spiritual traditions, raising the challenge of translating such culturally specific contexts into stories that resonate globally. The two directors encouraged creators to bravely explore cross-cultural storytelling and to find their own voices in the process of communicating with international audiences.
CCDF-16 is open for submissions until 23:59 (Taipei Time) on May 15, 2025. Submissions must be made through the official website. Filmmakers interested in pitching documentary projects are encouraged to apply and take the first step toward connecting their stories with the world.
