Beijing International Film Festival opens for cultural dialogues

Release time：2024-05-03 15:32:34 Source：Earth Encounters news portal

The 14th annual Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) commenced this Thursday, bringing filmmakers from around the globe to the capital in order to explore cinematic advancements and strengthen cultural dialogue within the industry.

Tiantan Award jury members pose for a photo on the red carpet at the opening gala for the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, April 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

More than 370 filmmakers, industry professionals and celebrities dazzled the red carpet at the opening gala. Among them were cast and crew members from several upcoming film projects, such as "She's Got No Name," "The Dream of the Red Chamber" and, the film festival's opening film, "Dwelling by the West Lake."

Shen Haixiong, president of China Media Group and chairman of the organizing committee for the 14th BJIFF, stated in his speech that film, with its unique artistic charm, plays a distinctive role in promoting the exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. He noted that, through leveraging the film and television industries, the festival aims to tell China's stories in the new era, enhance inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning and contribute to the building of a global community of shared future.

The members of the 14th Tiantan Award jury, led by Serbian director Emir Kusturica as president, also made an appearance at the opening ceremony. In a carefully orchestrated moment during the event, Kusturica presented a special achievement award to China's esteemed filmmaker Zhang Yimou.

Serbian director Emir Kusturica presents a special honor to China's renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou during the opening gala of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, April 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

A record total of 1,509 films from 118 countries and regions applied to the Tiantan Award this year, with 15 selected to contend for 10 awards. The Tiantan Award is the main competition section of the film festival. According to information provided on the film festival’s website, winning works will be determined by “public appeal,” overall artistic concept as well as on used film aesthetics. The 15 shortlisted films include 12 international works, such as "A Real Job" (France) and "The City" (Israel), along with three Chinese entries: Long Fei's "Gold or Shit," Li Weiran's "I Love You, to the Moon and Back," and Zhang Guoli's "Strangers When We Meet."

Besides the Tiantan Award, the competition will also name winners in special additional competition units that highlight and honor new directors and short films.

During the festival, audiences will be able to enjoy over 250 new and classic films, with some international works either having never been shown or have had limited screenings within China. Some included films are "Dr. Strangelove," "Once Upon a Time in America," "Blade Runner 2049," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Story of Qiu Ju." These films will be shown in 27 theaters and special venues throughout Beijing, as well as in neighboring Tianjin municipality and Hebei province. 

More than 100 events, including forums, a university student film festival and the first artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC) unit, are scheduled to take place. 

Brazil has been honored as this year's guest country with four Brazilian films being screened, commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. 

American singer Bertie Higgins performed his classic song "Casablanca" together with Anda Union, a nine-piece folk music ensemble from China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, during the opening gala of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival, April 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

Launched in 2011, the festival aims to boost exchange across the global film industry and has garnered increasing international attention due to China's booming film market. Yin Yong, mayor of Beijing and also chairman of the 14th BJIFF organizing committee, highlighted Beijing's role as a national cultural hub and the cradle of Chinese cinema, making it ideal for film industry growth. The city, which houses over 20,000 film and TV companies -- 40% of the national total -- and major industry bases in Huairou, Chaoyang and Daxing, is also a magnet for talent. Beijing is home to institutions like the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama.

"In recent years, Beijing has prioritized the development of its film and television industries as a key component of the capital city's cultural growth. The city has enhanced industry support policies, fostered corporate innovation and improved services for talent, creating a more open, vibrant and professional ecosystem for global filmmakers," Yin said.

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