First China Student Television Festival Kicks Off

The first China Student Television Festival kicks off Friday here in Beijing. Realizing the weakening influence of TV, the nationwide event aims to draw young people closer to the traditional media for a better future of both their personal development and the TV industry.

Tingting has the details.

According to Ding Junjie, the organizer of the event, and Vice President of the Communication University, the festival should be an important venue for university students and TV professionals exchange ideas to shape a better future for TV.

Ding Junjie says that he believes the influence of university graduates is 'very important' for television development.

"University students are the future and their interests will also be future trends. They have lots of creative ideas which I believe will largely benefit the TV industry."

The festival will feature a series of activities, including a contest of original short films, voting for the students' favorite TV program and TV series, forums on cinema and television and many others.

Ding Junjie says that all college students in China are welcome to join in the event.
Zhu Chuxin, a student from the Communication University, heads the organizing committee of the festival.

"Participants will watch TV programs, evaluate them and create their own film productions. Actually, they will take part in every aspect of work to make the festival possible. And we can voice our opinions in the mainstream media."

Based on a recent survey by the University, middle and old aged people make up the majority of Chinese television viewers. Most university students have dumped the traditional media for the internet to be their main source of information.

Ding Junjie says the festival is supposed to draw the distance between students and television closer, and find a better way to teach virtue and value and help young people realize more of their social responsibilities.

The festival will run until the end of this year.

Tingting, CRI News.