Veteran film producer Andre Morgan, known for his work on iconic martial arts classics such as Way of the Dragon (1972) and Enter the Dragon (1973), reflected on the enduring power of representation and cultural storytelling as he addressed a new generation of filmmakers at the 2026 C-Show Live event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Drawing on his early career studying Chinese history and working alongside the legendary Bruce Lee, Morgan shared how cinema has long served as a bridge between cultures.

"Bruce had a dream," Morgan recalled. "He said, 'By the time they're old enough to go to the cinema, I hope they'll get to see people like me in leading roles playing heroes, so that they can have Chinese heroes, not just white heroes.' And I thought that was a pretty cool thing."

Morgan said Lee's vision not only helped spark the global "kung fu craze," but also reshaped representation in Hollywood, giving generations of Asian and Asian American audiences a renewed sense of confidence.

"Over the next 40 years, those films gave a lot of Asian Americans the confidence to stand up and be seen," he said, encouraging young creators to pursue careers in film as a way to foster cultural exchange and tell diverse stories.

His remarks set the tone for C-Show Live, a youth-focused cultural film platform that showcases emerging voices from China and the United States. Now in its second year, the program received more than 800 submissions, with 60 finalists and a select group of winners recognized for their storytelling, creativity and cross-cultural perspectives.

Among them, Avichai Zev, a cinema and media studies student at the University of Southern California, won one of the Best Short Video Awards for Beyond the Midst, a film he co-created with Chinese American student David Song.

Zev said the collaboration was shaped by their shared immigrant experiences.

"My co-creator is from China, and I'm also an immigrant here. That common ground is what brought us together," he told China Daily.

The film explores themes of identity, belonging and human connection, reflecting the emotional complexities faced by many young people navigating different cultural environments.

"Our film touches on religion, but more importantly, it's about human connection," Zev said. "It reflects that feeling of trying to find where you belong."

He added that working across cultures deepened his understanding of identity.

"Chinese culture is incredibly rich, and I come from a rich cultural background as well," he said. "I relate to the experience of leaving something behind while coming to a new place and trying to integrate both worlds in a meaningful way."

Zev said he hopes the film will resonate with audiences facing similar questions. "I hope the film inspires viewers to find self-discovery and beauty in their own lives, cultures and communities, especially amid the confusion that can arise in youth," he said.

Other award winners at this year's event also highlighted the diversity of storytelling.

Weston Barber received recognition for The Skyward Sapphire Chase: A Frog's Rainforest Quest, a stop-motion animation set in the Amazon rainforest. The film follows a young frog navigating danger in pursuit of its dreams.

"I created it to tell people to chase your dreams and never give up," Barber said.

Matthew Francis Hess, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was honored for his non-dialogue short film Fin, which he independently produced, acted in and filmed in a log cabin in northern Wisconsin before relocating to Los Angeles.

He said the recognition from C-Show was both an honor and a motivation to continue pursuing filmmaking.

"It's a huge encouragement for me to keep going," Hess said.

Chelsea Snow, who comes from a multicultural family with an American father and Chinese mother, won a Best Short Video Award for her piece I Love You China and was named a 2026 C-Show Youth Ambassador.

Snow said the platform allows young artists like her to express their identities and share their perspectives with a global audience.

"It's always been very important for me to incorporate my cultures and backgrounds," she said. "My passion is music, and my dream is to build a stronger bridge between America and China through the power of music."

Organizers said the diversity of themes, from personal identity and cultural heritage to environmental storytelling and artistic experimentation, reflects the creativity and openness of Generation Z filmmakers.

"Through the power of film created by Chinese and American creators, we hope to bring peace and love back to our communities," said James Su, chairman of Chinese American Film & TV Festivals and president of EDI Media, the organizer of C-Show Live.

Su said the "C" in C-Show carries multiple meanings: Chinese culture, multicultural exchange, communication, and the shared vision of seeing ("C") peace, harmony and love through film.

"Through C-Show, we hope to strengthen people-to-people friendship between China and the United States through cultural exchange," he told China Daily. "Starting with the younger generation makes this effort even more meaningful."

Congresswoman Judy Chu said the program provides a valuable platform for young people to share their stories and perspectives.

"There are so many meaningful opportunities for cultural appreciation and artistic exchange," Chu said. "This program gives a voice to Gen Z and encourages them to express their creativity through innovative storytelling."

California Assemblymember Mike Fong highlighted the broader educational impact of the initiative.

"California is a place where diverse cultures come together," Fong said. "The art competition is also an educational program that encourages young people to express themselves through creativity and collaboration."

Chinese cultural counselor in LA Chen Fenghua said the program has played a meaningful role in fostering mutual understanding.

"It has built a bridge for cultural exchange between Chinese and American youth," she said. "This year's submissions showcase both innovative interpretations of traditional culture and thoughtful reflections on modern life."

Chen added that such initiatives are particularly important in today's global context. "We hope more young people in the US will gain a closer understanding of China and contribute youthful energy to the future of China-US friendship," she said.

renali@chinadailyusa.com