Ⅰ. Submission Content

The "Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program" focuses on micro-short dramas, while also embracing a range of other media formats, including micro-movies, micro-documentaries, micro-animations, and photography. The program invites submissions of both finished works and creative proposals from young creators in countries and regions along the Silk Road. It aims to bring together domestic and international platforms to promote global collaboration in the international dissemination of high-quality Silk Road-themed video content. 

II. Organizing Institutions

Advisors: The Department of International Cooperation of the National Radio and Television Administration, the Information Office of the Shaanxi Provincial Government, China International Communications Group, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and others.

Hosts: University Alliance of the Silk Road, School of Journalism and New Media at Xi'an Jiaotong University, China Center for International Communication Development, Communication University of China, School of Journalism and Communication Xiamen University, Shaanxi International Communication Center, Ningxia Radio and Television Station, Xinjiang Center for International Economic and Cultural Exchanges, and others.

III. Submission Period

From now until July 30, 2025

IV. Submission Theme

Our Story of the Silk Road

V. Submission Categories

The program consists of three categories: Comprehensive Category, Silk Road Brand Category, and AI Creation Category.

1. Comprehensive Category: This category invites young creators to share vibrant, multidimensional stories of the Silk Road from a youthful perspective. It focuses on the creative expression of Silk Road narratives and contemporary interpretations of its spirit, giving full play to the boldness, innovation, and pursuit of excellence that characterize today’s youth, injecting new vitality into the ancient Silk Road. The goal is to provide a platform for young filmmakers to showcase their work, facilitate mutual exchange and learning, enhance global youth awareness and preservation of Silk Road culture, and promote cultural exchange and cooperation among young people from different countries.

The evaluation will focus on the following aspects: 

· Creativity: The originality of the story concept, filming techniques, and forms of expression.

· Ideological Content: The level of understanding of the Silk Road theme, the exploration of cultural connotations, and the values conveyed.

· Artistry: The presentation of aesthetic elements, such as composition, lighting and shadow, sound design, and editing rhythm.

· Spreadability: The potential of the work to attract viewers, evoke resonance, and achieve widespread dissemination across diverse platforms and audience groups.

2. Silk Road Brand Category: This category is specifically aimed at influential enterprises or brands along the Silk Road, encouraging young creators to explore high-quality expressions of Silk Road stories from a professional perspective. It emphasizes content that is innovative, leading-edge, and representative, while also supporting the development of brand image and international brand communication. The goal of this category is to promote the synergy between youth-driven visual storytelling and commercial marketing, providing strong visual support and strategic communication models for the internationalization of Silk Road brands.

The evaluation will focus on the following aspects:

· Brand Image Shaping: The effectiveness of the work in accurately and vividly showcasing the brand’s unique charm and personality.

· Cultural Profundity: The extent to which the brand integrates with Silk Road culture, infusing the brand with deep cultural significance.

· Commercial Communication Value: The potential impact of the work in enhancing brand visibility, driving product sales, and expanding market share.

· Other Qualities: The work’s performance in creative expression, production quality, and media compatibility.

3. AI Creation Category: This track is specifically focused on AI-generated content (AIGC), encouraging the use of AI technology to explore experimental, immersive, integrative, and aesthetic expressions of Silk Road stories, injecting new momentum into the development of the Digital Silk Road and the Innovative Silk Road. The goal of this category is to provide video creators with a new creative space and experimental platform, fostering cross-sector integration of AI and cultural arts, and thus inspiring fresh ideas, forms, and outcomes in Silk Road-themed video creations.

The evaluation will focus on the following aspects: 

· Creativity and Appropriateness: The originality and suitability in the application of AI technology.

· Artistic and Technical Integration: The seamless blending of artistic and technical elements in the work.

· Thematic Interpretation: The ability to interpret and communicate Silk Road themes effectively.

It is important to note that, while utilizing AI technology, the work should still demonstrate a deep understanding of the cultural essence, historical significance, and contemporary value of the Silk Road. In Addition, the work should showcase the potential of AI creation and contribute to the development of AI-driven video production technologies.

VI. Submission Scope

Youth and institutions from China and Silk Road countries are welcome to participate. Each individual or team may submit up to three video works, with at least 80% of the team members being young participants.

VII. Submission Requirements

1. Please carefully complete the Application Form for the Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program.

2. Submitted works should be closely aligned with the theme, showcasing originality and conveying a positive message. They must not include content that involves obscenity, violence, gambling, superstition, terrorism, racial discrimination, religious taboos, or any other material that violates legal or regulatory standards. 

3. Video Submissions: Multi-language videos are welcome, provided they include English or Chinese subtitles. Accepted formats include MPG, MPEG, AVI, MOV, WMV, and MP4, with a minimum resolution of 1280*720. For single-episode submissions, the micro-short drama should be complete with one episode not exceeding 20 minutes. For multi-episode submissions, the series should consist of 6 episodes, with each episode not exceeding 10 minutes. Moreover, a promotional trailer of no more than 3 minutes (in MP4 or MOV format) must be provided.

4. Photo Submissions: Both color and black-and-white photos are accepted, either as individual images or in series, with no limit on the number of submissions. Each photo must include a detailed description, have a resolution of at least 1920 pixels on the long side, and be in JPG format with a file size of no less than 800KB. Authors should retain the original data files for potential adjustments after selection. Basic post-processing is permitted, but the content and appearance of the photo must remain intact, and composite techniques that alter the original image are not allowed.

5. Optional materials may include posters, stills, and behind-the-scenes photos.

VIII. Submission Channels

Participants should submit their works and relevant materials as large attachments via email to the following address within the specified registration period:

Domestic submissions: qlsilkroadxjtu1@163.com

International submissions: qlsilkroadxjtu@163.com

Email titles should follow the format: "Category-Author's Country-Author's Name-Work Title". Please include the application form (Attachment 1), work description (Attachment 2), and commitment letter (Attachment 3). For video submissions that meet the requirements, you may alternatively provide a cloud link and password. Within China, Baidu Netdisk is recommended, while Google Drive is preferred for international participants. The submission deadline is July 30, 2025.

Ⅸ. Support Mechanisms

The "Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program" offers various forms of support to the selected participants and their respective works.

1. Creative Training: A Silk Road International Youth Video Exchange Creation Camp will be organized, where a team of mentors, including experienced producers, directors, and expert scholars from both China and abroad, will provide creative guidance and training for participants.

2. Promotion: Exceptional works will have the opportunity to be featured on prominent platforms at key events hosted by the organizing entities.

X. Copyright and Other Rights Requirements

Submitted works must be the original creations of the participant, with independent intellectual property rights. Plagiarism or copying is strictly prohibited. All materials used in the submissions, including music, scripts, photos, portraits, and visual elements, must not infringe upon the legal rights of any third party. Participants will bear full responsibility for any legal disputes arising from infringements, and will be disqualified from the competition or awards if such issues occur. If any financial losses are incurred by the organizers as a result, the responsible party will be held fully accountable.

By submitting their works, entrants grant the main organizer full rights to use the works for non-commercial purposes. The organizer is authorized to utilize the selected works for activities related to the program. This authorization is valid for a period of 50 years, starting from 2024.

Attachment 1:

Application Form for the "Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program"

Attachment 2:

Work Introduction for the Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program

(within 500 words)

Attachment 3:

Commitment Letter for the "Youth Bonds on Silk Road—International Youth Video Exchange Program"

I (or our organization) hereby affirm that we hold full copyright ownership of the submitted work, and that the content does not involve plagiarism, infringement, or falsification. All registration materials submitted are truthful and reliable.

Upon the conclusion of the selection process, I (or our organization) agree to allow the organizer to publish the work on its affiliated media platforms and all partner platforms, as well as to participate in relevant domestic and international exhibitions. The organizer may also use up to 3-minute segments from the submitted work for promotional purposes.

Hereby pledged and stated.

Committer:

(Signature/Seal)                                  

Date: Year/Month/Day