For the first time in China, microfilmmakers have the chance to join an official film competition, as the 1st Microfilm Competition kicked off yesterday, as part of the 21st China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Beijing.

Hosted by the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival committee and Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the competition promotes the development of microfilms in China.

Currently, the industry is still developing, due to the lack of competition and platforms for communication.

The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival is China's top film festival and the only national film festival. The festival aims to provide a stage for young Chinese filmmakers while enriching the creativity of domestic films.

The Communist Youth League of China encourages students from more than 300 universities to join the competition.

Zhang Huijun, president of Beijing Film Academy and chairman of the competition committee said the festival will seek and nurture young, talented filmmakers.

"We hope the competition will attract more to join the industry and help investors, producers and filmmakers network," said Zhang.

The microfilms will be divided into two categories: Microfilms produced by university students and by professional filmmakers. With the latter group, the committee aims to set the quality and art value of microfilms, while promoting the Chinese film industry.

Submissions will end on August 30, with the awarding ceremony scheduled on September 27. Selected microfilms will be broadcast on TV, Internet and mobile phones.