Beijing int'l film festival explores potential impact of AI on Chinese films

Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the ongoing 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), a four-day forum titled "Cinematic Futurity" was held from Friday to Monday to provide a platform for industry pioneers and tech innovators to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking.

Speaking about the great potential of AI in storytelling, Wu Dayong, executive dean of iFlytek Research Institute, said that it is important to improve productivity with the practical application of AI.

"The technology behind the text-to-video generation is progressing rapidly. With just a few instructions, it can create seamless video clips. I believe that 2024 represents a significant year for the development of AI models. However, it's important to also consider their practical applications in various industries. Collaborating with individuals who possess industry expertise can ensure that AI products effectively enhance productivity within this sector," Wu said.

Tulagu, a film director and also the founder of SkyMaper, a high-tech film production company, said AI technology is helping more young people to engage in filmmaking, which is a great opportunity to promote Chinese culture.

"Technology has always been a powerful tool to help us realize our own narratives. A movie often features scenes that go beyond imagination or real life, necessitating the use of new technology for completion. This dynamic compels technology to continually adapt to evolving creative visions, propelling progress. Therefore, for film directors, I believe it's imperative to initiate learning how to integrate AI and its logic in our work. Investing more in technology and research development tools is essential to enable both myself and fellow directors to visualize our ideas effectively. As accessibility and simplicity increase, more young people can engage in filmmaking. This presents a significant opportunity to promote Chinese culture and amplify Chinese voices on a global stage," Tulagu said.

The 14th Beijing International Film Festival opened on April 18 will run through to April 26.

Launched in 2011, the festival aims to boost exchanges among global industry players. It has been attracting increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market.

Beijing int'l film festival explores potential impact of AI on Chinese films

Rampant dengue fever across Brazil has forced many families to call off their weekend getaway plans as the country's tourism sector takes a hit from the mosquito-borne disease.

Brazil had reported a record of more than 4.27 million cases of dengue and 2,197 deaths in 2024, the highest number ever registered for the epidemic, the country's federal health authorities said on Saturday.

A water park in the resort town of St. Elizabeth, located 70 km northeast of Sao Paulo, is normally packed with tourists in the scorching summer, with hotel reservations often made a week in advance. In recent days, however, the park has seen a marked decline in visitors due to cases that have been reported in the town and surrounding communities.

To help ensure the safety of visitors, the park's management team has sent in additional employees to intensify prevention measures.

"We add disinfectant in the swimming pool to prevent mosquitoes, and we have workers in charge of cleaning the park," said Leonardo, a worker.

"There used to be a lot of visitors. Especially on Saturdays and Sundays, our park used to be packed with tourists, double or triple what it is now," said Fernandes, a tour guide.

In the same period last year, Brazil saw more than 900,000 cases, while the total number of probable and confirmed cases in 2023 surpassed 1.6 million.

In South America's largest city Sao Paulo, home to almost 13 million inhabitants, the dengue epidemic has appeared in every neighborhood, according to the City Hall.

According to the ministry, the surge in cases this year is related to factors such as climate change and the circulation of multiple serotypes of dengue virus.

Dengue fever deals blow to Brazil's tourism sector