Beijing International Film Festival: A Meeting of Masters and Markets

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The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) begins on April 18, offering a wealth of cinematic delights for both film enthusiasts and industry experts. This occasion signifies three significant milestones: it’s the 130th anniversary of global cinema, the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and the festival’s own 15th year celebration.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the star-studded lineup for this year’s Workshop & Masterclass series features three cinematic titans. The inimitable Isabelle Huppert, a French acting luminary with over a century of films under her belt and numerous accolades such as the Best Actress award at Cannes for “The Piano Teacher” and a Golden Globe for “Elle,” will delve into “The Undertow Beneath the Ice.” This session promises an intriguing exploration of her unique artistic methodology that has positioned her as a powerful presence in European cinema. Attendees can look forward to gaining insights into her remarkable collaborations with directors like Claude Chabrol and Michael Haneke.

Renowned Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke, best known for movies such as “Still Life” and “Ash Is Purest White,” which have gained him recognition at Cannes and Venice, is set to showcase his latest project titled “Mountains May Depart, Memories Never Fade.” Accompanying Jia will be a team of long-standing associates including cinematographer Yu Lik-wai, who has filmed every one of Jia’s movies thus far; Matthieu Laclau, the French editor who won the Chlotrudis Award for “Mountains May Depart”; Shozo Ichiyama, the programming director for the Tokyo Film Festival, whose producing credits include “Mountains May Depart”; and Zhang Yang, a sound designer who has worked with Jia on films like “Still Life,” “Mountains May Depart,” “Ash Is Purest White,” and “Caught by the Tides.

Joining the group is Jiang Wen, a versatile artist renowned for movies such as “Let the Bullets Fly” and “Red Sorghum.” On April 25, he will offer his perspective on his filmmaking world. Notably, Jiang, who has previously been part of juries at Cannes and Venice, is chairing this year’s Tiantan Awards jury.

The Industry Forum panel titled “How Far Can China’s Film Market Soar?” is reaching a pivotal point, following the massive success of the Lunar New Year blockbuster “Ne Zha 2,” which not only broke domestic box office records but also ranked among the top five global box office earners of all time. This discussion will bring together a diverse group of international professionals, including Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Fu Ruoqing, chair of China Film Group; Daniel Manwaring, CEO of Imax China; Cedric Behrel from distributor Trinity CineAsia; Catherine Ying of CMC Pictures; and filmmakers Huang Jianxin and Andrew Lau.

A festival representative informs EbMaster that the Industry Forum initiates discussions based on the new model exemplified by ‘Ne Zha 2’ and centers around the production of IP films in China and internationally. Given the global success of animated sequels, this is a key focus. Invitations to guest speakers stress the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The Industry Forum will host representatives from well-known film companies along with distinguished directors.

The Beijing Film Market remains a nurturing ground for budding filmmakers and fresh projects. This year’s event introduces several novel ventures, such as the “Young Stone Project” geared towards up-and-coming directors and the “Most Exciting Young Directors’ Works Recommendation Gala.” Additionally, it emphasizes project proposals and advancement.

Instead of sticking to the conventional layout of booths for trading, our aim is to design a space that fosters genuine interactions. By adopting a more strategic matching method, we can accomplish two objectives: first, giving Chinese audiences an opportunity to discover international works that resonate with their preferences; second, helping Chinese films find foreign collaborators who truly comprehend them.

This year, the Project Pitches area, a vital part of our market, garnered 507 submissions spanning various genres like comedy, drama, fantasy, and science fiction. Among these, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 script-based projects such as “Needle in the Apple” and “The Washing Machines’ Guide to the Supreme”. Additionally, there are 6 works-in-progress like “Wind” and “Don’t Forget Me”, 3 sports-themed entries, and 3 projects endorsed by Hong Kong HAF. They are all vying for awards such as “Best Original Script Project” and “Project with the Greatest Commercial Potential”.

In this scenario, Zhang Ji, an accomplished screenwriter known for “American Dreams in China” and “Leap,” assumes the position of art director at the Beijing Film Market. On the other hand, actor Huang Xuan steps into the role of the event’s pioneer organizer. Additionally, the market hosts evening events such as a closing musical party with artists like Jing Ziqi and Ye Xuanqing, providing chances for up-and-coming filmmakers to connect and expand their professional networks.

This year’s International Section of the festival is gearing up to host a multitude of international sales companies, building on the success from last year when the area hosted more than 120 industry meetings in just three days. Some of the participants include Toho Global, famous for the “Godzilla” series, SC Films International and Protagonist Pictures from Britain, Pulsar Content from France, and Vision Distribution from Italy.

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The International Zone at this year’s festival is preparing to welcome a host of global sales companies, following on from last year’s success where the area hosted over 120 industry meetings in just three days. Among the attendees are Toho Global (known for their “Godzilla” franchise), British firms SC Films International and Protagonist Pictures, French company Pulsar Content, and Italian distributor Vision Distribution.

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At this year’s festival, the International Pavilion is set to greet a variety of international sales companies, mirroring last year’s achievement where more than 120 industry meetings took place within three days. Attendees include Toho Global (renowned for their “Godzilla” films), British firms SC Films International and Protagonist Pictures, French firm Pulsar Content, and Italian distributor Vision Distribution.

According to the festival organizers, the International Lounge’s success can be gauged through three aspects, but the actual deals made during the event provide the most tangible evidence. For example, during the Trinity CineAsia festival last year, they obtained distribution rights for Guan Hu’s ‘Black Dog’ in the U.K. and Ireland, and managed to get the film selected at the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Additionally, Little Monster Entertainment discovered “Caught by the Tides” at the lounge, and subsequently negotiated Antipodean rights with MK2.

In honor of the 75th year of diplomatic ties between China and Switzerland, this year’s festival has chosen to highlight Switzerland as its ‘Honored Country’. This collaboration invites a group of Swiss filmmakers and dignitaries to Beijing, with the Swiss Ambassador, Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, expected to attend the inaugural event. A ‘Swiss Film Week’ will feature six movies such as “The Sparrow in the Chimney”, “The Courageous” and “Alpha”, promoting a more profound cultural exchange between the two countries.

Over the past few years, the BJIFF (Beijing International Film Festival) has been working diligently to expand its global horizons by featuring films that offer a worldwide viewpoint. The goal is to act as a link between Chinese and international film industries, offering viewers a rich mosaic of various cultures. As one representative explained, “BJIFF strives to strengthen its international influence by showcasing films that reflect diverse civilizations from around the globe.

In the spotlight at Australian cinema are films such as “The Surfer,” “Wolves Always Come at Night,” “Mary and Max,” and others showcased in the Vision section. Meanwhile, a Japan Film Week features fresh productions like “I Am Kirishima,” “Sleeping Idiot,” and “Sunset Sunrise.

At BJIFF, the essence lies in competition, encompassing various award categories. The “Forward Future” segment, focusing on unearthing emerging filmmakers worldwide, has garnered submissions from 90 different nations. Notably, Hungarian director Béla Tarr leads a jury consisting of Sabu (Japan), Jin Chen (China), Song Yang (actor), and Cyril Schäublin (Switzerland). This section will showcase fifteen films, such as “Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman,” “Fast and Feel Love,” and “In the Name of Blood.” The winners, chosen across seven distinct categories, will be unveiled soon. As a fervent admirer of this festival, I eagerly anticipate the results!

The prestigious Tiantan Award has soared to greater achievements, amassing close to 1,800 entries from a diverse pool of 103 nations – marking an impressive growth of 18.9% compared to the previous year. The esteemed jury, headed by Jiang Wen and comprising Joan Chen, David Yates, Ni Ni, Teemu Nikki, Vincent Perez, and Tim Yip, will scrutinize fifteen shortlisted films. These films hail from various countries like Turkey, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Kenya, Iran, as well as China, where notable entries include “Better Me, Better You,” “Deep in the Mountains,” and “Trapped.

The Tiantan Award follows a fundamental belief of ‘Beauty in EbMaster, Harmony in Diversity,’ reflecting a spirit that embraces cultural diversity. The selection process combines artistic and commercial aspects, presenting the distinctive elements of Chinese cinema alongside international cinematic works from various cultures.

This festival additionally includes specialized segments, including:
1) The Newher women-centric movie section that champions up-and-coming female directors.
2) The “Be Seen” Youth Actors Support Program, where 30 budding actors receive guidance from industry veterans like director Li Shaohong and acting coach Zhang Hua.
3) The AIGC Film Unit, which delves into the fusion of AI and filmmaking.

For the first time, this year’s BJIFF extends its scope beyond typical festival limitations, unveiling the Beijing Film & Life Festival. The aim is to broaden the festival’s influence across the city. As organizers put it, “To maximize the impact of the ‘ticket stub economy,’ 31 cinemas participating in the festival have collaborated with over 300 restaurants and more than 600 merchants located within shopping malls citywide to provide discounts for those holding BJIFF tickets.” This move converts “a specialized event” into a “city-wide cultural celebration for everyone,” fostering a harmonious industrial effect where “one film encourages diverse consumption.

The grand lineup of events for this festival is orchestrated by a joint effort in its organizational setup. Overseeing this event is the China Film Administration, with collaboration from China Media Group and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. Heading the organizing committee are key figures such as Junsheng Yu, deputy director of the publicity department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, director of Beijing Media Network, and vice chairman and secretary-general of the organizing committee for the Beijing International Film Festival; Lu Wang, director of the film and television translation and production center of China Media Group and deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee; and Tao Xu, deputy secretary of the Party Leadership Group, editor-in-chief of Beijing Media Network, and executive deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee.

Also joining as leaders are Siwei Lin, who holds the positions of Deputy Director at the China Film Archive and the China Film Art Research Center, and Jicheng Gong, a member of the Standing Committee in Huairou District and the head of the Publicity Department.

The backing is provided by a variety of organizations such as the Beijing Municipal Film Administration, the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau, the China Film Group Corporation, Beijing Radio & Television Station, the Huairou District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Film Academy, and Beijing Enterprises Group Company Limited.

The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) showcases more than 260 films screened approximately 900 times at venues in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. This includes forums, markets, and special events, offering a wide-angle perspective on global cinema and a stage for budding filmmakers. The festival continues until April 26, spreading across significant locations like the Huairou District, Langyuan Station, and cinemas throughout the region. In doing so, it solidifies Beijing’s position as a cultural and commercial center for films not only in Asia but globally.

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2025-04-17 15:19