With the explosion of Shanghai’s art scene over the last decade, the city’s independent film industry has gradually experienced simultaneous growth. An increasing number of artists are finding their creative outlet on or behind the screen, producing a whole spectrum of intriguing films. TALK sat down with the founders of the city’s notorious short film company Meiwenti Productions to get the low down on the Shanghai’s indie film community.

Chinese film-makers are willing to take chances,” says Richard Trombly, Shanghai-based filmmaker and co-founder of Meiwenti. “Their movies are a bit rough, but they’re willing to make a film on just about everything. Moreover, indie films don’t pander to an audience. It’s all about telling your story and sticking to your principles without having to worry about ‘the deal’.”

Working in Shanghai as a journalist, Trombly rediscovered his passion for film and stage art. Together with film fanatic and producer Juan Vargas, Meiwenti was established in 2006, creating a networking platform for anyone in Shanghai interested in filmmaking. What started as a small group of people developed into the city’s largest film production movement – a vibrant community of volunteer actors. “We help people to come out with their own short film projects, connecting them to the network’s resources and helping them with equipment, cast, locations and other logistics,” says Vargas.

Meiwenti’s success lies in its accessibility, giving people from all corners of the globe an opportunity to tell their unique story in an expressive art form – primarily through its biannual short film contests. According to Vargas these are all about having fun, racing against other competitors and feeling the stress of making a movie with deadlines. “We give participants one month to come up with a story and shoot a short film. They have to pay attention to so many details – locations, cast, cameras, lighting, maintaining a tight schedule – they will suffer,” laughs Vargas.

With Trombly’s own work – like his current project The Journey Home – he tries to hit nerves while relating his interpretation of China to western audiences. His movies mostly revolve around Chinese youth, and he’s also inspired by the hardships of migrant workers. “I am fascinated by the extraordinary amount of change occurring in China and especially by what life is like for its young people,” he says.

Independent moviemakers are also getting in the on the action. Shot in six weeks in Shanghai and Wuhan, French director and producer Fabien Gaillard’s low-budget romantic film Laowai tells the story of a French singer in Shanghai who falls in love with a Chinese girl. “I will always make movies that interest me personally and are based on my own experiences, even if it has no commercial appeal,” he says. “Every film you want to sell nationwide must first be sent to CCTV in Beijing. I’m hoping Laowai will pass the censor in a few months.”

Gaillard’s goal is to attract a Chinese audience, an often problematic issue of filmmaking in China. Independent movies made here are rarely distributed throughout the country. Conversely, reaching western markets is complex despite online channels like YouTube and Vimeo, which makes it hard to find financial investors. “It’s limiting local directors from exploring their creativity,” Trombly notes. Independent filmmaking can be a very tricky business, but it shouldn’t spoil the fun. In the end, it’s all about expressing yourself, sharing ideas and making a contribution to the emerging art community in Shanghai.

Web: www.meiwentiproductions.com