A GRADUATE from the New York Film Academy, Yang Long, who was also born after 1985, was nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for his short film “Exit” at the age of 26.

    His short films have been nominated at several other international film festivals, including the American Online Film Awards and the Beijing International Microfilm Festival.

    Yang believes that the most important factor for success is to make a film with heart. “The Cannes Film Festival is not that hard to reach. It only takes US$30 to participate in the competition. The key is heartfelt passion,” he said.

    Growing up in Shenzhen, Yang went to the China Central Academy of Fine Arts to learn filmmaking at the age of 18. His professors included well-known Chinese directors Ning Ying and Wang Shuibo.

    “The China Central Academy of Fine Arts focuses more on pictures and colors, while the New York Film Academy eyes technology,” he said when comparing filmmaking between the West and China.

    Yang is now planning to shoot several new short films. “I have not tried long films yet, but I really look forward to that challenge in the future,” he said.

    (Wang Yuanyuan)