On July 4, the "Shanghai Impressions" short video competition and closing ceremony of the Global Youth Shanghai Culture Experience Camp took place at Shanghai University. International participants used their cameras to document what they saw and felt during the program, offering diverse visual stories about the open and inclusive character of Shanghai's local culture. The event brought the camp to a memorable close.

The competition featured two categories—individual and group—and five thematic tracks covering cross-cultural integration, urban leisure, local traditions, youth culture, and Shanghai's innovation in science and technology. Wang Lina, Secretary of the Party Committee of the International Office at Shanghai University and Deputy Secretary-General of the university's Shanghai Culture Research Center, Huang Wei, Research Librarian at the Historical Documents Center of Shanghai Library, and Wu Wanzhen, video journalist from China Daily, attended the event to review the participants' work.

During the screening session, five group entries were screened, offering a multi-dimensional portrait of Shanghai through themes such as tradition and modernity, everyday street life, fashion and trends, and digital innovation. After the screenings, the judges offered constructive feedback on each entry, covering narrative structure, visual storytelling, and cross-cultural expression. Several outstanding individual entries were also screened, each presenting a distinctive take on Shanghai through the creators' own cultural lenses, showcasing their keen observation and creative talent.

Awards were then presented to the winners. Top honors went to five groups, along with individual prizes for excellence and for first, second, and third place. As participants from various countries walked up to receive their certificates, applause filled the room.

The camp was about more than just films. There were birthdays celebrated with songs in many languages, and snacks shared from suitcases. Small gestures that needed no translation. By the end, many participants said they had found both a deeper connection to Shanghai and friendships that would last.

Over the course of the program, the participants explored Shanghai's old streets and visited its tech companies, turning their experiences into short films that built bridges across cultures. The hope is that they will carry these memories with them—and share the stories of an inclusive, creative, and diverse Shanghai with the world.

Source: Shanghai University