Feng Xiaogang's film titled "Youth" originally had problems in China after it was pulled out due to the sensitivity of the film but it still did great and even nabbed top prizes at the first Marianas International Film Festival.
"The focus [of the festival] is mainly to build a win-win cooperation platform. China will soon become the world's largest film market, Saipan has the opportunity to become a hub for the world's filmmakers entering the Chinese market," Ken Zhang, one of the founders of the Marianas festival, told the media.
According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter on December 14, the film festival held at U.S. protectorate of Saipan in the South Pacific had Asian flavor to the programs and winners during the first awards ceremony.
Feng, who was famous for being dubbed as the "China's Spielberg," turned into a star during the festival and was picked for the two biggest awards for best film and best director. "Youth's" Oraphan Saithong also won best supporting actress while Elaine Zhong won the best new artist.
It can be recalled that "Youth" had been pulled out after government censors took their steps against it without giving official reason. This has caused great consternation among Chinese movie-goers.
