The 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) is offering a rich lineup of events that provide visitors with an immersive journey into the world of cinema, drawing large crowds and sparking cultural consumption.
Running from April 16 to 25, this year's BJIFF features two main venues. One of them, Shouchuang Langyuan Station in Chaoyang District, will host more than 50 activities across six major categories throughout the event, offering an audiovisual experience that deeply integrates film and television with artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC) technology.
This year's film festival has expanded in both the number and diversity of its activities compared to previous editions. When visitors enter from the south gate of the Langyuan Station, they can explore more than 200 stalls across five themed street areas while enjoying plenty of impromptu performances along the way.
Visitors can browse a wide array of cultural and creative products, including posters, vintage film cameras, and refrigerator magnets featuring Suzhou Song brocade -- a textile art that dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in ancient China and was listed by UNESCO as the World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.
The festival also organized open-air screenings, offering movie lovers a more diverse viewing experience, a move that has drawn wide acclaim.
"Since a movie theater is an enclosed space, the viewing experience tends to be more focused on the film itself. In an open-air setting like this, I feel that besides enjoying the movie, you can also take in the surrounding scenery, which I think makes for a more relaxed experience," said Gao Xuan, an audience member.
Launched in 2011, BJIFF aims to boost exchange among global industry players. It has been attracting increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market.
Beijing International Film Festival fuels cultural consumption
