Looking China:International Youth Film Project kicked off in Beijing.[photo/Chinanews.com]

A major annual event that seeks to promote the exchange of ideas among Chinese and foreign students of cinema, kicked off in Beijing on May 4, said a statement by the organizers.

Looking China: International Youth Film Project was launched by Beijing Normal University in 2011, and it has since aimed to nurture a diverse understanding of China among upcoming moviemakers.

About 100 college students from 20 universities in 19 countries are invited to shoot 10-minute movies reflecting Chinese culture through new angles.

Ten Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shandong province’s Qingdao, and Zhejiang's provincial capital Hangzhou, will be used as locations this year. Screening of the short films will begin in August and last through yearend.

In 2016, the best productions will be given the Gold Lenses Awards by the university's Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture. Australian short film Age, Height, Education won the first prize for last year, the statement said.