The programme includes a week-long non-profit "Curatorial Seminar", whose first edition was held in 2024, as well as the "Curatorial Engine", which provides further guidance for excellent proposals and support for their exhibitions at renowned art institutions. It aims to provide emerging Chinese curators, researchers, and art project managers with a solid growth path, incubate excellent exhibition proposals, and expand opportunities for the exchange and presentation of new talents in contemporary photography and moving image curation, according to the organizers.

This year, 12 participants — mostly young independent curators — enrolled in the seminar, held from Nov 25 to Dec 1. They were mentored by Dong Bingfeng and Joanna Fu, two veteran curators and researchers in photography and visual culture. The mentors, in collaboration with Three Shadows, planned the curriculum and academic exchange activities.

The seminar featured seven lectures by globally established curators, artists, and researchers, along with panel discussions, local field visits, exhibition installation observations, proposal reviews, and tailored networking sessions during the opening week of the Jimei × Arles Festival. According to the organizers, these activities were designed to enhance participants' curatorial skills in an immersive and equal learning environment.