"I realized that 'multiculturalism' is not just a concept in textbooks."

When Chen Xuanru, a MCOM junior, stepped onto the stage at the Zalet Art Festival in Serbia to screen her documentary she was a bundle of nerves. It was the first time for Chen to show her film outside the classroom, and she was anxious her work wasn't good enough to share.

MCOM ­­­­­director Chen Xuanru presenting her first-ever documentary, which sheds light on serious health issues for women­

Then, during the Q&A, tears welled up. The audience showered Chen with praise for her film documenting health risks from unsanitary feminine hygiene products, and thanked her for her important work.

"I cried when the audience shared their feelings so enthusiastically,” she said. “My work resonated with people from different cultural backgrounds. It made me truly understand the power of stories!”

Chen Xuanru (first right) was overwhelmed by the audience response to her documentary

Chen Xuanru was one of 12 BNBU filmmakers to be selected by the festival organizers to screen for the international audience, and among five BNBU students to join in BNBU’s first-ever study program in Serbia for documentary film production.

“The Moments We Touched Each Other’s Hearts Are Truly Beautiful”

The two-week BNBU art and cultural exchange in Serbia was co-organized by BNBU and three descendants of prominent Serbian artist Bozidar Kovacevic (1934-2010), and coincided with their annual three-day Zalet Art Festival.

Led by BNBU Professor Jocelyn Ford and Assistant Instructor Ariana Chen, the wide-ranging study tour and took place in the scenic mountains of Zlatibor and the capital city Belgrade. In addition to filmmaking the busy schedule was filled with art workshops, dragon dance performances and in-depth interviews with a professional basketball player and a supreme court judicial worker.

The opening band at Zalet Art Festival performs in a courtyard surrounded by traditional Serbian farmhouses (Photo/Milo Smoljanic)

Unlike conventional overseas summer programs focused on classroom learning, in Serbia there were no lectures. Rather, students learned by experience, and by engaging with locals.

“What I think was the most valuable experience during the tour was the moments of genuine human connection,” wrote Tianxin Ma reflecting on her two weeks. “At the film screening, some people cried because they were moved by the young director’s passion and sincerity; I was also deeply touched by the authenticity of others’ religious beliefs… The moments where we touched each other’s hearts are truly beautiful.”

“Mobile Classroom” makes every minute a learning opportunity

The study tour was more like a “mobile classroom.” Every conversation, sunset, and shared meal became learning opportunities. Students became more perceptive about the world around them and learned to “grab the moment” to contribute to impromptu activities at the festival and produce films with well-researched ideas but no scripts.

Chen Xuanru practicing fitness dragon dance ahead of the opening ceremony of the Zalet art festival (Photo/Milo Smoljanic)

At the opening ceremony of the three-day Zlatibor Art Festival organizer Aleksandra Kovacevic unexpectedly invited BNBU students to showcase the festival’s first China cultural exchange program by performing fitness dragon dance—which some students learned on the spot—and by teaching locals how to whip around the colorful streaming dragons.

Chen Xuanru (right front) performs dragon dance at the opening ceremony of the Zalet Art Festival,

as university national lion dance champion Ma Tianxin (left) accompanies her on drum

During one of the band performances local musicians pulled a BNBU student from her comfort zone when they asked her to pick up a flute for an improvised stage performance that blended Chinese folk tunes with Balkan rhythms. "Everyone created together without constraints," said flautist Qiu Ziyi, a incoming junior Media and Communication Studies major. "This is the true connection of souls."

MCOM junior Qiu Ziyi, who hadn’t played the flute in seven years, gave an improvised stage performance accompanied by local musicians

The festival, which included music, art workshops for children, and creative jewelry exhibitions in addition to documentary screenings by directors from BNBU and other countries, also attracted the attention of Serbia’s national PTC TV reporters.

Serbian national TV interviewing BNBU students MCOM major Chen Xuanru (left) and CCGC major Li Yushan (2nd left)

Incoming senior Chinese Culture and Global Communication major, Li Yushan said, "When being interviewed, I realized that we are not just students, we’re also cultural envoys." Prof. Jocelyn in the interview underscored the importance of young people leaving their comfort zone and befriending youth from around the world to share life experiences and learn about different ways of thinking and living.

A hilltop walk near the art festival and study tour venue turned into an impromptu lesson on how to scout interview sites and listen for natural sounds to enhance documentaries. From left to right Ariana Chen, Chen Xuanru, Qiu Ziyi, Ma Tianxin, Jocelyn Ford, Li Yushan, Zhao Jinghan

During the festival documentary films became a bridge connecting people from different parts of the world. The festival featured films about Bosnia and Nepal, and seven BNBU student films. Study tour participant Li Yushan said that chatting with the director from Bosnia-Herzegovina about the challenges and dreams while making her film about two aging Bosnian farmers living a traditional life made her “realize that 'multiculturalism' is not just a concept in textbooks."

The Wailer, directed by fresh MCOM graduates Huang Yuxin and Liu Xiangchen, was followed by a lively online Q&A about traditional Chinese funeral culture. "Before the screening, we were quite concerned about whether foreign audiences unfamiliar with Chinese culture could stay engaged,” Liu said. “But to our pleasant surprise, they not only remained interested but also raised intriguing questions."

Directors of “The Wailer” discussing their film in an online Q&A. BNBU students shared seven films for the international audience that included people
from Serbia, Bosnia, Germany and Russia

The on-site audience of several dozen people spoke highly of BNBU students' works, saying emerging voices conveyed by films such as Media, A Fake Eden," and Powerless But…, showed “honest” perspectives. "These young creators don't just tell stories; they invite you into their world," said Inela Kovacevic, film curator for the Zalet festival. One local participant said he and a group of friends stayed up until 4 a.m. discussing some of the BNBU films.

Behind the Lens: Recording Authentic Serbian Stories

In between showcasing BNBU films and dancing to local band music, the students were busy researching and creating new stories.

One group followed and filmed Jovan Stefanov, a former professional basketball player who left the fast-paced life in Belgrade to engage in sustainable agriculture in a mountain village, caring for his animals and growing his own food. "He shared with us his unique philosophy and outlook on life," said Tianxin, the student director of this project. " Tianxin’s crew started filming Jovan’s daily routine from early morning, following him up the mountain in rainy weather to herd goats. “I learned more than in an ME course because I was facing the real situation, which is more difficult than producing a film around campus,” Tianxin later wrote reflecting on her experience.

Students filming pro-basketball player turned farmer and yoga teacher, Jovan Stefanov, who believes humans need to reintegrate with nature

Another group filmed Eastern Orthodox church mosaic artist Mirjana Milic who told stories of guarding Serbia's religious art heritage. "She has a deep love for mosaics—they are her source of spiritual strength, sustaining her through every phase when her energy runs low," Xuanru Chen said. Crew member Qiu Ziyi added, "We went to the church with her mosaic works, and the light fell exactly on that piece of mosaic. With her love for mosaics in our minds, we understood at that moment why we make documentaries."

Students interviewing mosaic artist Mirjana Milic

Mirjana Milic’s mosaic (orange figure on right) at the Church of Saint Mark, Belgrade

A third group explored Serbia's Chinese immigrant community by conducting interviews at Belgrade's largest Chinese wholesale market, Ouya. Students found that, unlike migrants who leave China for wealthier nations, this group often faces greater challenges with social integration. “This compels us to consider how social class shapes immigrant experiences,” said CCGC’s Li Yushan. “Economic pressures can foster a defensive mindset, leading some to self-isolate as a survival strategy.”

Between filming and screenings, students set aside their cameras to apply their creativity to creating “blue prints” with wild flowers using the cyanotype process invented in 1842, one of the earliest types of photography.

Workshop leader Inela Kovacevic (left) teaches student how to make cyanotype prints

The chemicals applied to the paper changed color under sunlight, and students enjoyed watching their designs "develop" under sunny skies. "Who would have thought science could be so artistic?" Li Yushan said.

Before being exposed to sunlight, the cyanotypes are yellow

Cyanotypes after developing under sunlight

Later, in the gallery kitchen, the students cooked Chinese dishes while exchanging recipes with Serbian hosts.

BNBU students cooked a Chinese meal to share with their host Aleksandra KOVACEVIC (standing left)

and interviewee mosaic artist Mirjana MILIC (standing right)

Dining on traditional Serbian lunch with festival goers

In the last few days before the Aug. 3 flight back to Guangzhou, the group traveled three hours by road to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Strolling along the streets lined with historic buildings, incoming senior Ma Tianxin noted the contrast. "Zlatibor is peaceful, full of nature and stories," Ma said. "Belgrade is vibrant, showing us two sides of Serbia, both making people feel excited."

“You don't just learn about documentaries, you learn about life”

When packing their luggage, the students took away not only their documentary footage, cyanotype art work and souvenirs but also new skills for making compelling documentaries ad a new understanding of friendship and cross-cultural connections. "This is more than just a study tour," Xuanru Chen said. "It makes us understand that the best stories are those we experience together."

The study program wrapped up in Belgrade, a walkable city rich with traditional and contemporary culture

and a light-hearted spirit with locals enjoying summer outdoor eating

What sets DCom’s Serbia summer program apart from other summer schools is that it is a living, breathing experiential learning opportunity, with would-be classroom lectures delivered during action in the field. In the words of Xuanru, "Here, you don't just learn about documentaries; you learn about life,” she said. “Such lessons will be unforgettable for a lifetime."

Reportor: Ariana Chen, Tianxin Ma

Editor: Jocelyn Ford