The 14th Beijing Film Festival Expands International Exchanges with Brazil as Guest Country
China News Service, Beijing, March 28 (Reporter Xu Jing) – The 14th Beijing International Film Festival, also known as the Beijing Film Festival, is set to take place in Beijing from April 18 to 26 this year. This year, the festival has invited Brazil as the guest country and introduced a Diplomat Film Season to facilitate international film and television exchanges, promote cultural collaboration, and further expand the “circle of friends” for international interactions.
During a press conference held on the 28th, Yu Junsheng, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee, announced that this year’s festival carries the theme “Mutual Learning from Light and Shadow, Mutual Benefit from Like-minded People.” The event will feature more than 100 activities over the course of 9 days, including the prestigious “Tiantan Award” ceremony, opening and closing galas, screenings, forums, and more.
The international jury for the “Tiantan Award” includes seven members, with Serbian director Emil Kusturica serving as the jury chairman. A record-breaking 4,273 films were submitted for consideration this year, with 1,509 entries from 118 countries and regions vying for the coveted “Tiantan Award.” The finalists include 12 foreign films and 3 domestic productions.
A total of 16 screening units have been planned for the Beijing screening, showcasing over 240 domestic and international masterpieces in theaters across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Additionally, designated movie-viewing zones will be set up along Chang’an Avenue, the Western University Movie-watching Belt, and the Northern Movie-watching Belt for enhanced viewing experiences.
The Beijing Film Festival aims to promote cross-cultural exchanges and facilitate dialogue between international filmmakers. Ambassadors from countries represented by shortlisted filmmakers and key guests, including Brazil, Seychelles, and Gabon, will be in attendance, along with heads of international film festivals.
In a first for the festival, the Diplomat Film Season will be introduced to promote global film and television exchanges and foster international cooperation through shared viewing experiences. The “Beijing Film Festival International Living Room” will also be established to facilitate collaborations between Chinese and foreign film institutions.
Directed by the State Film Administration and co-hosted by China Central Radio and Television and the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, the 14th Beijing Film Festival is set to be a celebration of cinematic artistry and cultural diplomacy on an international stage.