NYFA Filmmaking Alum Zhang Chong attends Raindance Film Festival with his film "Green Ocean"

NYFA Filmmaking Alum Zhang Chong is a recent graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Arts from the Fall 2022 Film and Media Production program in LA. Since graduating in April 2023, his very first short film "Green Ocean" got selected in the renowned Raindance Film Festival in London. 

Zhang spoke with the NYFA Alumni Network about the inspiration behind the film, his time at NYFA and his experience attending the Raindance Film Festival. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

Z.C: My name is Zhang Chong, and I'm from Anhui, China. Before coming to NYFA, I earned a Bachelor's degree in acting from the Beijing Film Academy.

So, I actually switched fields and came to study filmmaking at NYFA. During my undergraduate years, studying acting, I was considering my next steps and I gradually realized that I was more interested in filmmaking. I had already shot several short films. However, I felt that it wasn't enough, and I needed to continue my education systematically. Just before graduation, I learned that the New York Film Academy is a highly practice-oriented film school in the United States. This approach aligned perfectly with my belief in how film education should be. The academy also has excellent teaching resources, so in the end only applied to NYFA and came to study here.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?

Z.C: Currently, I am working on a feature film project based on a short story called "The Rope," which won the Lin Yutang Literary Award. We are in the process of adapting the screenplay and plan to start filming next year. The story is about a young woman who, overwhelmed by the pressures of work and family, loses hope in life and is on the verge of suicide. However, she finds renewed hope through a woman with cancer who loves life deeply.

Honestly, "Green Ocean" is my first complete short film, and its journey through film festivals has just begun. Raindance Film Festival was the first stop, and I look forward to taking the film to many more places. 

 NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about your latest film "Green Ocean". What is the story about, and what was your inspiration behind it?

Z.C: "Green Ocean" tells the poignant story of a young rural woman who, a few years into motherhood, gets a chance to pursue higher education in the city. The central question is whether her family responsibilities will hold her back.

The inspiration for this film came from an old report about a rural woman who loved studying. However in her village, people believed that studying was a waste of time. Even her daughter saw her as just a cooking woman. This story reminded me of my hometown, where some girls stopped studying at an early age. They got married and had children, as arranged by their families.

I recall overhearing a conversation in my family with a young mother who regretted not being able to continue her studies. She didn't complain, but there was a sense of confusion in her voice about why she became a mother so young and couldn't study further. Reflecting on these memories, I realized how the invisible rules of traditional culture constrain people's thinking.

This became the basis of the film. I began to wonder: If she had another chance to study, what choices would she make? What choices would we expect her to make? Is there a right or wrong in her decisions?

NYFA Alumni Network: What was your reaction like when you found out the film has been selected to the renowned Raindance Film Festival? 

Z.C: When I first received the official selection email from the Raindance Film Festival in early April, I was so excited that I couldn't even finish reading it. I immediately called the main crew members and my family to share the good news. After calming my excitement, I started planning our participation in the festival with the producer.

Opening Gala with Founder Elliot Grove

NYFA Alumni Network: How was the experience like attending the festival?

Z.C: We recently concluded our journey at the Raindance Film Festival. Accompanying me were the producer, the lead actress, and my girlfriend. We had a delightful ten-day stay in London. The screening and Q&A session went smoothly, with many attendees showing great interest in our film. The networking opportunities at the festival were also fantastic. 

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?

Z.C: I learned a lot of practical skills on set at NYFA and honed them through extensive coursework and practice. Beyond that, my time at NYFA significantly shaped my filmmaking mindset. Two key lessons that have been particularly valuable and that I continue to apply in my projects are:

The combination of theory and continuous practice is the best way to quickly master a skill.

The director is always the one who has the answers on set.

NYFA congradulates Zhang on all his success!