First Chinese Children’s Film “Little Journey” Starts Production in Hollywood

Recently, Candice Jiang (Chinese name Jiang Chen), a well-known Chinese host and actress, has taken on a new role as a film producer. Dedicated to promoting Chinese culture overseas, she participated in the investment and production of the first Chinese children’s film “Little Journey,” which began filming in Hollywood on June 14. Notable figures such as Chinese producer and supervisor You Jianming, principal of Golden Sunshine Academy Tan Ye, renowned young director Shi Tanxuan, and vice-chairman of the Los Angeles Chinese Film and Television Artists Association Ren Xiangdong were invited to the traditional Chinese-themed opening ceremony. The film “Little Journey” is set to be released on major platforms after completion and has already received invitations from several A-list film festivals.

Candice Jiang has recently added another layer to her identity as a renowned actress and host, now also serving as an overseas project investor and producer. Utilizing her experience both in front of and behind the camera, she founded Starbridge Picture and Starbridge Academy, focusing on children’s theater and film education overseas. Candice says, “Every child is like a star in the sky, unique and shining. They need the support and understanding of their parents, and at every stage of their growth, they need multiple ‘bridges’ to connect their interests and passions and realize their dreams. The initial purpose of Starbridge is to be such a bridge, accompanying children with love and dreams on their interesting journey of growth. We offer courses in public speaking, film acting, voice acting, scriptwriting, directing, shooting, and more. Film is not limited to acting; we encourage children with wild imaginations to write scripts and make films as part of their growth. For those with leadership qualities who want to express themselves through the lens, we teach them how to use the camera, storyboard, and convey their ideas visually. For children with voice talents, we help them become outstanding voices, whether in music, speech, or film. Our goal is to help children express themselves confidently. Confidence is the most important lesson in a child’s journey to adulthood.”

Candice Jiang, with her unique international perspective and high-quality resources at home and abroad, has built a mechanism for film training and delivery between China and the U.S. through Starbridge, creating a bridge to support the dreams of young people. In recent years, based in Southern California, she has been devoted to children’s theater training, aiming to comprehensively promote the filmization of children’s theater. She has also been actively involved in promoting and exporting Chinese culture overseas, helping “ABC” and American children learn Chinese and speak Mandarin.

Candice Jiang Unlocks New Role as Film Producer, Dedicated to Promoting Chinese Culture Overseas

As the first professionally produced children’s film by Chinese filmmakers in Los Angeles, “Little Journey” centers around a restructured family in the U.S. and, through the story of children’s interactions, attempts to enhance understanding between Chinese and American children with a light-hearted and pleasant visual style. As the producer of “Little Journey,” Candice Jiang has transitioned from actress and host to film producer. In an interview with the Los Angeles Post, she stated that the film took six months to prepare, from script to casting and filming. 

The film is directed by Icy Li (Chinese name Bingliang Li), who came to the U.S. in 2016 to study film production at USC and UCLA. During his studies, Director Icy Li won the “Best New Director” and “Best Student Film” awards for “Trifles” at the GSIFF Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Las Vegas Film Festival. His works showcase the characteristics of Chinese and American cultures, reflecting his unique insights from his life in the U.S. and Chinese cultural background. “Little Journey” tells the story of a single white father and a single Chinese mother forming a new family and how their two children move from conflict to understanding. The production team consists of graduates from USC’s film school, and the child actors were selected from over 30 auditionees. Candice Jiang hopes that children who love acting will develop well in their professional fields and achieve great success.

Starbridge Picture and Starbridge Academy Promote Film Education for Children and Youth Overseas

With the growth of the Chinese and international student filmmaker community in the U.S., film creation topics have become increasingly diverse. Young filmmakers are gradually forming their own unique styles, and films featuring Chinese children may require more attention from young filmmakers and the Chinese community. Both on and off-screen, Candice Jiang’s passion and dedication to children’s films are evident. From children’s film training to film production, she has been building a high-quality film ecosystem for Chinese people in Southern California, playing a role in cultural output and promotion. 

Starbridge Academy is currently dedicated to film education and training for children and youth, actively promoting cultural exchange between China and the U.S., spreading Chinese culture, and introducing more Hollywood stars and projects to China. Recently, she hosted the CCTV-6 film channel’s “World Film Tour,” inviting Hollywood filmmakers to help Chinese audiences better understand world cinema. In sports, Candice Jiang signed NBA star Tyrese Haliburton for business representation in China, expanding her business scope. She also assisted Hunan TV in inviting Western artists for the popular show “Singer 2024,” facilitating performance collaborations between Post Malone, JVKE, and Chinese artists, promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. In education, Starbridge Academy collaborates with Stanford child psychologist Dr. Cody Abbey, Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore’s acting coach Peter Frisch, and educators from major film schools to offer courses in film acting, voice acting, scriptwriting, vocal music, musical theater, and more. They aim to cultivate creative “little filmmakers” with professional skills. Starbridge Academy encourages children and youth to create scripts, direct, act, and film their works, offering an annual $100,000 scholarship to support their progress and growth. They also facilitate talent exchanges between domestic and overseas institutions and are set to form a strategic partnership with the New York Film Academy, providing top talent to leading companies like Hunan TV, Mango TV, iQIYI, Jiaxing Media, Giant Pictures, Caviar Entertainment, and director Yang Wenjun’s studio. They also link with the United Nations to let more Chinese children and youth voice their opinions at UN conferences. 

With the expansion of overseas artist agency services, Starbridge Picture’s overseas business includes global business representation for Hollywood stars and NBA players, as well as supporting Chinese artists going abroad. They have strategic partnerships with renowned Hollywood producer Frederic Golchan (known for films like “Kimberly Chaos Theory” and “Twelve”) and Star Trek director Keith Tsuji, leveraging extensive domestic and international film and business resources to provide comprehensive support for artist development.