Poster of Half the World is Sleeping. [Photo by UNNC for nbyznews.cn]

A student-led short film from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is gaining global recognition for its heartfelt storytelling and creative vision.

Half the World is Sleeping, directed by UNNC alumnus Peng Yuchen and jointly produced by students and staff from UNNC and the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, has competed in 100 film festivals worldwide since its premiere in July 2024. The film has received multiple awards, including Best Film and Best Screenplay at festivals in Panama, Avignon, and Bolivia.

The film follows an elderly woman living with Alzheimer's who waits daily by an elevator, searching for her grandfather's lost compass. Through subtle visual language and emotional restraint, the story explores the ways families confront memory loss — with denial, control, and ultimately compassion.

According to Professor Filippo Gilardi, head of the School of International Communications at UNNC, the film's success lies in its ability to share Chinese stories with global audiences while creating an emotional dialogue across cultures.

UNNC researchers developed a creative framework inspired by studies of award-winning Chinese short films, emphasizing universal human emotions and symbolic storytelling. The approach now shapes the university's new Master's in Digital Filmmaking program, where students combine theory with hands-on production.