Made on a modest budget of under 2 million yuan ($276,800), the film debuted in April last year and quickly began earning accolades, including Best Screenwriter at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival's Asian New Talent section of Golden Goblet Awards, and Best New Director at the 10th Silk Road International Film Festival.

Actress Tian Hairong, who presented the award, reflected on the significance of debut films. "Every directorial debut is both a proving ground for ambition and a birthplace of talent. These works are more than just introductions — they are seeds, planted with the resolve to grow and the passion to speak through light and shadow."

Chen acknowledged the honor with heartfelt gratitude, thanking his entire crew and singling out late Tibetan director Pema Tseden for his guidance and encouragement.

"His mentorship means the world to me," said Chen. "I see Gone With the Boat as just the beginning. Like those before me, I'll continue to defend my creative path with natural language and instinctive passion."

As part of the Beijing International Film Festival, the College Student Film Festival is a platform for emerging filmmakers from universities in China and abroad, and celebrates student-driven creativity and original storytelling.

This year's festival saw enthusiastic participation from over 100 domestic and international universities. More than 3,000 entries were submitted — including scripts, films, and critiques — culminating in 152 award-winning entries.

In addition to Gone With the Boat, several other honors were given out during the ceremony. The Most Popular Film of the Year award went to Her Story, while Ge You won Most Popular Actor for his performance in The Hedgehog, the fifth time the veteran actor has received the title. Yong Mei and Zhang Zifeng shared the Most Popular Actress award, which celebrates both experience and emerging talent.

As Chinese cinema evolves, festivals like the College Student Film Festival highlight the power of fresh perspectives. Debut films continue to drive the industry forward, infusing new life into storytelling.

Through work like Gone With the Boat, the next generation of filmmakers isn't just ready — they're already shaping the future.