Chinese writer and director Jing Zou took home the top prize at the Next Step initiative of Cannes Critics’ Week with her feature film project, A Girl Unknown. The film is based on the true phenomenon of girls being abandoned in China due to the one-child policy. It follows the journey of a young Chinese woman from childhood to adulthood, living in three different families. A Girl Unknown is described as an intimate coming-of-age story that delves into themes of existential pain, self-discovery, and love.
Born in 1984, Jing Zou is a Chinese director and writer with a background in literature. She discovered her passion for filmmaking while working at Shanghai International TV station, where she directed and edited documentaries. Prior to A Girl Unknown, Zou’s short film Lili Alone (Duo Li) received the Leitz Cine Discovery Prize at Critics’ Prize in 2021, showcasing her talent as a filmmaker.
A Girl Unknown was one of the 10 projects selected for this year’s Next Step program. Launched in 2014, Next Step is designed to support directors who have presented a short film at the Cannes parallel section of Critics’ Week and are working on their first feature film project. Participants attend a development workshop at the Moulin d’Andé artists’ residence in Normandy, followed by meetings with producers and sales agents in Paris. The award includes a 2,500€ endowment and an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival.
This year’s Next Step jury was composed of industry professionals, including Roxane Arnold from Pyramide Films, Marion Delord from Hildegarde, Markus Duffner from Locarno Pro, and Ioana Stais from Heretic. Past winners of the prize include Manning Walker’s Cannes 2023 Un Certain Regard winner How to Have Sex. Since its inception, Next Step has supported around 35 projects that have gone on to be realized, including Universal Language by Matthew Rankin and Berlinale 2024 titles such as Some Rain Must Fall by Qiu Yang and Arcadia by Yorgos Zois.
In addition to the main program, the 10th edition of Next Step introduced Volume II, a hybrid workshop that brought directors and composers together to collaborate on score composition as an integral part of the screenplay. This initiative demonstrates Next Step’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the film industry.
Jing Zou’s success with A Girl Unknown at Cannes Critics’ Week is a testament to her talent and dedication as a filmmaker. The film’s exploration of complex themes and emotional depth has resonated with audiences and industry professionals alike. As Zou continues to grow and develop her craft, it is clear that she is a rising star to watch in the world of cinema.