Beijing's acting schools attract an increasing number of foreign applicants who have ambitions to realize their dreams in China. Chang Xiaoran (top) from Canada, Grace Lee Grant (right) and Peter Wang from the United States.

The feverish ambitions of young Chinese seeking entry to the prosperous film industry also infects foreigners, especially those with Asian roots.

This year, the Beijing Film Academy, regarded as the cradle for film stars in China, received 25 applications from across the world, up from last year's 18.

"There are more opportunities for Asian faces in China than in the United States," says 17-year-old Chinese-American Grace Lee Grant, who has applied to two Chinese film institutions.

The 2012 Miss California's Outstanding Teen has been impressive as a ballerina, but due to an ankle injury, she decided to focus on acting just one month ago and flew to China directly to take the entrance exams and interviews required by film institutions.

It's her fourth visit to the country.

"I can speak Chinese well but can only read a little," says Grant, adding that she still has difficulty understanding Chinese culture despite her ethnic-Chinese family.

Before she flew to China, Grant's father helped her practice Chinese for one month.

"I had heard Chinese applicants trained a long time for the entrance exam, but I believe my ballet will help me stand out," says Grant, who played a role in the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.

For Mia Thayer, it was an incredible experience to stand with 30 applicants in a room to read poems one by one during an initial test held by the Central Academy of Drama.

Living in China all her life, the 17-year-old American says she loved theater and China.

She is in the 12th grade in Hong Kong, and came to Beijing for the exams.

"The world is talking about China. I just wanted to experience learning acting here," Thayer says.

"There's no plan B. If I fail the tests, I have to figure it out after all things finish," she adds, looking toward her father, who flew to Beijing to support her.

However, Chinese-Japanese Kiyomi Fujimoto says she will try again next year if she fails.

The 19-year-old was born in Japan and studies dance in the US. She had spent a few years living in Beijing when she was a little girl.

"I can speak Japanese, Chinese and English. It helps add to my charm in the Chinese film industry," Fujimoto says.

To better prepare for the threshold exam, she took part in a 20-day training course to practice impromptu performing and singing.

"I also applied to film institutions in the US, but I really want to be an actress in China," she says.

The idea of learning acting at the Beijing Film Academy is ingrained in Peter Wang from Philadelphia.

The 18-year-old Chinese-American has already had some acting experiences in Chinese films and TV series. He also says he will try again if he fails this year.

"It's not easy for Asian faces like me to crack the door to Hollywood. But in China, there will be more chances," the young man says.

Wang learned martial arts for years and likes kung fu movies, but he prefers the acting arts.

"The Americans only know Chinese stars for their kung fu. I hope I can change their stereotype of Chinese actors one day," he says.

dengzhangyu@chinadaily.com.cn

By Deng Zhangyu (China Daily)