Red carpet rolls out for 15th Beijing International Film Festival

China

Red carpet rolls out for 15th Beijing International Film Festival

2025-04-19 10:22 Last Updated At：19:07

The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) kicked off on Friday with organizers hoping to leverage the event to boost film consumption trends.

At the heart of the festival is the Tiantan Award, the official competition section of BJIFF. The award honors recent outstanding films and champions diversity in global cinema. This year, 15 full-length films are short-listed to compete in 10 categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, and Best Cinematography.

The 15 shortlisted movies consist of 3 Chinese films and 12 from abroad.

This year's jury committee for the awards is led by acclaimed Chinese director and actor Jiang Wen. He is joined by Chinese American director and actress Joan Chen, British director David Yates, Chinese actress Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director-actor Vincent Perez and Hong Kong art director Tim Yip.

Additionally, the opening ceremony welcomed the launch of a campaign to further boost film consumption in the the country, building on a wildly successful year that saw blockbuster hits like Ne Zha 2 driving audiences to cinemas.

The campaign, dubbed the "Chinese Film Consumption Year", aims to take advantage of the BJIFF as Beijing creates film-related attractions that integrate culture, commerce, tourism and sports.

"Actively responding to the strategy of the 'Chinese Film Consumption Year', this year's Beijing International Film Festival innovatively launches the 'Beijing Film and Life Festival' to explore new areas and further tap into potential movie industry consumption," said Yu Junsheng, secretary-general of 15th Beijing International Film Festival's organizing committee.

Running from April 18 to 26, the 15th BJIFF presents over 300 films across 33 cinemas and one immersive venue in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. The "Beijing Screening" section offers approximately 900 screenings, showcasing global masterpieces, restored classics and the works of emerging Chinese filmmakers.

Over 20 films expected to hit Chinese screens during Qingming Festival Holiday

More than 20 films will hit Chinese screens during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday from Saturday to Monday, spanning genres from revolutionary historical dramas, realism movies to suspense thrillers, according to the China Film Administration on Thursday.

Revolutionary historical films such as Blood-Spattered Cliff, Eight Sons, Eight Soldiers, and Half Of The Quilt, will pay tribute to martyrs through the lens.

Three films -- It's OK, Now I Met Her, and Sunshine Women's Choir -- tell moving stories of love, growth, and reconciliation.

It's OK is a contemporary family comedy that follows a mother and daughter navigating their joyful yet turbulent relationship. Now I Met Her tells a rebellious teenager who gets to know his late mother through her old diary. Sunshine Women's Choir, a film from the Taiwan region of China, portrays the "perfect" maternal love of "imperfect mothers."

The suspense film Game of Identity tells the story of two people from different backgrounds who accidentally swap lives, setting off an unexpected adventure. The documentary films Seeking Nature: The Code of Life, and Missions to the Moon (Part One) explore the connection between humanity and science.

Imported films from different countries, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, Project Hail Mary, and Hoppers, will deliver spectacular cinematic experiences to audiences.

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 5 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tribute to ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens as they engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing.