Filmmakers beyond the 'female' label

The growth and voices of women matter greatly to China's film industry. For years now, countless female filmmakers have been shining behind the scenes. In recent years, women have grown increasingly visible across the sector: from behind-the-scenes roles like sound design, color grading, and cinematography to frontline work such as directing and screenwriting, more and more women have made their mark with professional skill, creating work that strikes a stronger emotional chord with audiences.

During the 2025 Beijing International Film Festival (BIFF), CGTN had exclusive interviews with four filmmakers: Deng Lu (director of photography and also director), Zhang Dage (director), Zhao Nan (sound designer), and Fu Shu (colorist). They shared stories from their professional journeys and personal reflections, shining a light on how women drive diverse growth in the film industry and foster a more balanced ecosystem. 

"If there ever comes a day, when it is no longer necessary to specify the gender before a job title, we may achieve balance," Zhang Dage said in her interview. Her words get to the heart of what the industry is striving for – and now, let's go behind the scenes of film to listen to "her" voices.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Chen Hongyu, Zhao Ying

Video editor: Chen Qingxuan

Videographer: Han Xu

Cover photo: Jia Jieqiong