China
Anthropological Inquiry Conference
2nd Anthropology
Conference
08/09/2025 - 08/11/2025 Guangzhou, CHINA
Behind every successful academic gathering lies the tireless dedication of countless individuals working behind the scenes. This August, the Visual Anthropology Forum (VAF), a new branch of the CHINA ANTHROPOLOGICAL INQUIRY CONFERENCE(CAIC),
is set to commence.
VAF
Visual Anthropology Forum (VAF) is a specialized forum under CAIC, focusing on interdisciplinary practices that blend “visual media and anthropology.” It encourages participants to conduct fieldwork through photography, documentary filmmaking, digital media, and other forms to document and present their observations and reflections on cultural and social phenomena.
VAF aims to build a cross-cultural, cross-regional exchange platform where youth can share stories and convey perspectives through visual language, sparking in-depth discussions about culture, identity, and society. It is both a convergence of visual expression and cultural inquiry, and a visual experiment belonging to the youth.
CONFERENCE THEME
Humanity in Images
Visual Anthropology Academic Marathon
ABOUT THE EVENT /
CAIC's second conference was held in Guangzhou, with academic support provided by the Guangzhou Non-Fiction Film Innovation and Development Center and other institutions. Over 30 high school students from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and other provinces and municipalities formed five field research teams. They conducted in-depth investigations across Guangzhou city and completed five micro-documentaries focusing on guardians of Lingnan culture.
Among them, Lacquered Life in Pantang portrays a private collector's decades-long passion and dedication to preserving Cantonese lacquerware, using lacquer boxes as vessels to reveal the cultural memory of Pantang Community; Xu Wei traces the multifaceted career choices of champion model Chen Xuwei, showcasing the charm and vitality of contemporary youth; Drink! Eastward Bound, True Essence Found uses the mirror of martial arts master-disciple interactions to reflect the inheritance and innovation of traditional martial arts within modern education systems; Cantonese Opera Star showcases the artisan spirit and cultural heritage behind Cantonese opera through costume designer Qin Zhili's 29 years of dedication; My Grandmother delves into the daily lives of the elderly, offering a nuanced exploration of their role recognition within families and society.
During the screening segment, the creative teams shared their cultural discoveries, academic reflections, and personal insights gained during filming. Expert judges from institutions including Sun Yat-sen University and the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts provided professional critiques of the works.
Opening Ceremony
Guangzhou, China
We were honored to welcome Dr. Zhang, representing the organizing committee, kicked off the event with a heartfelt personal account.
She began by expressing the significance of bringing together numerous high school students to collectively explore the field of visual anthropology.
Drawing on her professional expertise, Dr. Zhang encouraged participants to leverage contemporary resources, boldly explore their areas of interest, and use visual media to document reality and express unique perspectives. Finally, she stressed that regardless of whether participants pursue careers in documentary filmmaking, cinema, or anthropology, she hopes everyone will maintain their passion for visual storytelling and actively document the stories and moments around them.
Academic Tutors
Dr. Cheng Gang
Producer & Director Known for: "China Fights the Pandemic", "Happy Birthday Shenzhen", "100 Years of the Communist Party of China" (Over 100 million views on People's Daily Online);
"Flower Street Parade"; "Horse Leads to Success".
Co-Producer : "Wordless" (Shortlisted for the Oscars, Emmy-nominated).
Dr. Xu Huijing
Chinese Documentary Director
Focus: Humanistic stories of rural change & marginalized lives.
Notable Works:
"Tough Out" (2020) – Best Documentary & Audience's Choice (FIRST)
"The Unending" (2024) – Best Documentary Nominee (FIRST)
Dr. Zhang Lei
London Film School (MA filmmaking)
Guangzhou Documentary Research & Exhibition Center: festival Programming & promotion;
Lead Brand developer: "We Documentary"
Co-Director (2023): "Ye Jianqiang On the Beat"
Dr. Chen Daishan
Sun Yat-sen University (B.A. Anthropology) | UCL (M.A. Ethnographic Documentary)
Producer: Award-winning projects at Sheffield DocFest, CNEX, Tokyo Docs.
Director: Nominated for China Documentary Academy Awards & Macau International Micro Film Festival; works archived by Guangzhou Library.
Project Showcase
（Five In Total)
In Guangzhou's Pantang neighborhood, a native lacquer box collector swims against the current, guarding these lacquerware pieces imbued with historical warmth to resist cultural erosion. These exquisite lacquer boxes are not merely artworks but cultural vessels bridging the past and present.
This film follows his personal journey, delving into the hidden world of Pantang life and spirit behind these lacquer pieces. His collecting journey is a profound quest to trace the roots of local culture and individual memory. The film thus explores: Amid rapid urbanization, how individuals safeguard a place's cultural memory by cherishing everyday objects.
“The Lacquerer of Puntong"
“Heh!
All the Way East,
They Indeed Obtained the True Sutra"
In Mr. He's martial arts academy, the spirit of “passing on traditions” is everywhere, like a relay race among generations: The older generation treats martial arts inheritance as both passion and duty, while the younger generation gradually develops their own understanding of martial arts through guidance from parents and masters...
Yet, as we delve deeper into the educational journey of Master He and his son, and listen to parents' steadfast commitment and reflections on martial arts cultural education, our focus gradually shifts to the challenges of modern cultural transmission in education. We can't help but wonder: As experience and culture flow through the generational chain, can every child truly bear its weight? When a generational gap in understanding stands before us, how can martial arts, through Master He's teaching, become a bridge for reconciliation and shared understanding between two generations?
On the long road of inheritance and education, this small martial arts studio is writing its own answer.
In a life brimming with infinite possibilities, Chen Xuwei has made countless choices. At every crossroads, she has resolutely pursued the path she most desired at that moment—transitioning from athlete to model during high school, experimenting with various careers in college, and after winning the 2023 World Model Competition China Finals, flexibly exploring roles both onstage and behind the scenes... She continually reshapes her identity, embodying the cultural practices of modern individuals within society. Now, shortly after graduating from university, she stands once more at a crossroads. As she ventures into the realm of sports and fitness, what decisions and preparations will she make?
“Xǔ Wèi"
The mottled glow backstage has witnessed Mr. Qin Zhili's 29 years—from prop-making to Cantonese opera costume design. This journey, though long, has been walked with unwavering dedication for half a lifetime. Yet in the blink of an eye, one still sees that fiery, childlike passion. Thirty years of craftsmanship, a lifetime of dedication. Mr. Qin unfolds his design sketches, hangs up theatrical costumes, and passionately shares the stories behind each piece. Every stitch and thread speaks to the weighty responsibility and long journey of preserving Cantonese opera. Here, we sense not only a lineage of craftsmanship but also the whispering echoes of intangible cultural heritage. Like flowing clouds and water, softness overcomes hardness—a legacy unfolding in every turn and twist. Stepping into the Cantonese opera training hall, the young apprentice, without makeup, radiates stage presence in every smile and frown. Eyes sweeping, brows arching. The lingering echoes of lyrics drift through the room, giving tangible form to the adage: “Ten years of practice behind the curtain.”
“Cantonese Opera Star"
She is a grandmother, a mother-in-law, a wife, and a mother. Once the most cherished youngest daughter in the family, she never lifted a finger to do housework. Yet from the moment she entered marriage, she began learning to shoulder everything. Forty years of married life were spent grinding away amidst daily chores and family gossip. Yet her sacrifices were often taken for granted by her family, even met with criticism and blame. What if one day the roles reversed—what if Grandpa took over the household chores Grandma had shouldered day in and day out for decades? What would he feel? Might he, amid the weariness and tedium, develop a belated understanding and tolerance? Could their marital relationship then open up to a different possibility?
“My Grandmother"
Academic Conference
Inquiry and Dialogue
During the evaluation phase, academic mentors engage in dialogue with scholars, providing guidance to enhance their research. They pose probing questions to assess methodologies, frameworks, and data interpretation, encouraging precise articulation of arguments. This interaction cultivates analytical skills and advances knowledge within disciplines, ensuring high academic standards.
Field Trips
At each field site, the scholars undertake comprehensive surveys amidst adverse weather conditions, engage in in-depth interviews with target groups, investigate their backgrounds and values, and facilitate a dynamic interplay of thought and imagination within real-life contexts.
Our Scholars Say
Cooperative Organizations
Shenzhen College Of International Education
Shenzhen Middle School
Shenzhen Foreign Languages School
The Affiliated High School of Peking University
Guangzhou Basis International School
The Affiliated High School of South China Normal University
Guangzhou Foreign language School
Guangdong Country Garden School
Guangdong Experimental High School
SENDELTA INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY SHENZHEN
Zhixin International
Guangzhou No.7 Middle School
Shenzhen Senior High School
Harmony Academy
Explorer
Yu He Yu He
UWC Changshu China
Hangzhou Foreign Languages School
Nansha College Preparatory Academy (NCPA)
FAAN NGOK Community Design Co.
Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA)
WLSA Shanghai Academy
DLC Park
GXICC Student News Agency
………………………
Our Vision
About CAIC
CAIC, the China First Anthropology Conference for High Schoolers, was established with the vision of creating a platform for students and scholars to exchange ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and promote cultural understanding. Our commitment to academic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue drives our efforts in organizing impactful formal events that enrich the academic community.
2023
Year of Establishment
2
Conferences Hosted
40+
Cooperative Societies
30+
Participating High schools
Muqi Li
Muqi Li
Neville Zhang
Neville Zhang
Executive Director, CAIC
25-26 President &General Chair
We believe that CAIC have successfully opened a window into the realms of multiculturalism and intricate social structures for scholars across disciplines. Through comprehensive discussions and intellectual exchanges, CAIC Scholars have fostered a profound interest in human behavior and cultural phenomena. It is our conviction that this conference will serve as a catalyst for exploration and understanding among future scholars, nurturing a vibrant intellectual discourse that will flourish in their subsequent academic pursuits.
The China Anthropological Inquiry Conference is the China’s first student-run scholarly and professional organization of anthropologists.
Contact US
Email Address: caicofficial2@gmail.com
Website: https://www.caic.net.cn/