When last year's Hong Kong International Film Festival came to an end, Ning Hao celebrated in a way that shows just how serious he is about his craft. He got straight on a plane and headed off to Mongolia the next day to begin a new film. This year the 27-year-old from Shanxi is back with the result of that trip, Mongolian Pingpong, which had him vying for honours in the festival's DV, or digital video, competition, which he won last year with his first feature film, Incense. 'Last year I didn't know the result until the very last moment. They hadn't even told me to go to the ceremony,' said Ning. 'But winning such an award with your first film gives you great confidence in your work - that is the most important thing you can get from it.' Mongolian Pingpong follows three children who find a ping-pong ball and at first think it is a gift from the gods. They then head off on a trip to Beijing to return the ball to where they think it came from. 'Mongolia has always been a place that has fascinated me,' said Ning. 'There are parts that have not changed in 800 years. It has such dramatic countryside as well.' Ning and his crew travelled from village to village along the Chinese-Mongolian border looking for their cast. He wanted to use local children to give the film a more authentic feel. With last year's Incense - shot in the backblocks of Datong - and Mongolian Pingpong now on his CV, Ning is looking for a change for his next project. 'I will definitely shoot the next one in a city. I want to be able to stay in a hotel.' The film festival continues until Wednesday.
