The Longquan celadon trophies take pride of place at the awards. [Photo/Tide News]

Emerging filmmakers received awards in 10 categories during the opening ceremony of the 8th Zhejiang International Youth Film Festival on Sept 20, with the trophies made of Longquan celadon.

The design blended the millennium-old artistry of porcelain with modern cinematic art.

Festival organizers said that Longquan celadon was chosen not only because it represents Zhejiang's cultural heritage, but also because its delicate yet resilient nature mirrors the dedication of filmmakers to artistic purity and enduring quality.

The trophy was designed by Chen Xiaobo from Tourism College of Zhejiang and produced by Jiang Junjie from Longquan Shangtang Porcelain Art Development Company.

Its sleek design, inspired by a West Lake lotus petal, posed significant production challenges due to the high-temperature firing process. After creating numerous prototypes, only a small number of final pieces met the exacting standard.

As the first ceramic tradition on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Longquan celadon has expanded through collaborations with various sectors in recent years.

Jiang Junjie said that he sees Longquan celadon not only as a traditional artifact, but also as a medium for contemporary expression, with limitless potential for the younger generation to explore.