Xia Hao and his project No. 23 won the top award worth $164,000 (RMB1m) in the New Chinese Film Talents Fund Forum (NCFTFF), while Song Yuefeng’s The Wild Horns was given a special mention.

The financial prize, to be invested in the production of the winning project, was introduced this year by the Cannes Marché and Project A: Jackie Chan’s Young Filmmaker Development Fund. Eight new Chinese talents participated in the forum.

Jerome Paillard, executive director of the Marche du Film, said: “Each of the eight directors and projects was unique and full of potential, and we are proud of such a fantastic line-up. We wish all the participants all the best for themselves and their projects in the future and we look forward to seeing them back in Cannes with their finished films.”

Xia Hao’s project revolves around a high school student majoring in painting, despite the fact he is colour-blind, who discovers a world of colour when he starts using an illegal erotic call service line.