Two days of film presentations and discussions 10/30 - 10/31/2026.
Friday, October 30, 2026
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Royce Hall 314
Friday 10/30/2026
Schedule of Events:
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Check in
Staff, jury members, presenters, and registered guests enter the venue.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morning IP pitch session
Selected writers and creators present their original IP projects. Jury feedback follows each presentation.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch break
1:00 PM - 3:50 PM Afternoon IP pitch session
IP presentations resume, with jury comments and professional evaluation after each presentation.
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM Closing remarks
Program summary, final announcements, and conclusion of the pitch session.
4:00 PM Program concludes
Jury Panel
• Peggy Chiao - Jury Chair; internationally recognized film producer, educator, and advocate for Chinese-language cinema.
• Mary Cao - Jury Vice Chair; international producer and director with experience in cross-cultural film projects.
• Anna Shaoai Chi - Festival Vice Chair; film director, screenwriter, and producer whose work includes Grandma Runs Away.
• Michael Berry - Festival Vice Chair; Director, UCLA Center for Chinese Studies; Professor of Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies, UCLA Department of Asian Languages and Cultures.
• Dr. Joy Zhu - Film educator with experience in filmmaking, education, and international exchange.
• Li Xuan - Film producer and project developer focused on adapting original stories for the screen.
Saturday 10/31/2026
Bilingual Masterclasses and Writers Forum
The morning program features two bilingual masterclasses presented in Chinese and English. The afternoon program consists of three writers' panels addressing screen adaptation, artificial intelligence, and original IP development for writers living overseas.
Masterclass Moderator: Michael Berry, Director, UCLA Center for Chinese Studies; Professor of Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies.
Schedule of Events:
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Check in
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Masterclass One
How Can Chinese-Language Cinema Reach Global Audiences
Discussion of international storytelling, cross-cultural collaboration, global marketing and distribution, and audience engagement.
10:50 AM - 11:05 AM Tea break
11:05 AM - 12:00 PM Masterclass Two
From Words to Images How Literature Reaches the Screen
Discussion of adaptation strategies, visual storytelling, character and plot restructuring, and collaboration among writers, screenwriters, directors, and producers.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch break
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM Writers Panel One
From Page to Screen
Writers and film professionals discuss practical pathways for bringing literary works to film and television.
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM Writers Panel Two
Writers in the Age of AI
Discussion of AI-assisted concept development, screenwriting, character design, visual development, copyright, originality, and creative ethics.
3:00 PM - 3:50 PM Writers Panel Three
Chinese-Language Writers Overseas
Discussion of developing original IP from immigration, identity, family memory, and cross-cultural experience.
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM Closing remarks
4:00 PM Day program concludes
Masterclass Speakers and Moderator
• Donald Martin - Festival Chair and screenwriter, producer, and IP development professional.
• Peggy Chiao - Jury Chair, film producer, educator, and advocate for Chinese-language cinema.
• Anna Shaoai Chi - Festival Vice Chair; film director, screenwriter, and producer.
• Michael Goi - Film director and cinematographer.
• Michael Berry - Festival Vice Chair and Masterclass Moderator; Director, UCLA Center for Chinese Studies; Professor of Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies.
The Dragon Tales Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Asian culture. They celebrate the rich tapestry of Asian traditions and strive to create an environment where these cultural treasures can thrive for future generations.
www.dragontalesfoundation.com/event-list
Sponsor(s): Center for Chinese Studies