:Beijing International Film Festival
{{short description|Film festival in Beijing China}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox film festival
| name = Beijing International Film Festival
| logo =
| logo_alt =
| logo_size =
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_size =
| caption =
| founded = 2011
| awardsreceived =
| awards = {{Plainlist|
- Tiantan Award
- Future Forward Award
}}
| host = China Film Administration, China Media Group, Beijing Government
| website = {{url|https://www.bjiff.com/enHome/}}
| chronology =
| main = Current: 2024
| previous = 2023
| next = 2025
}}
The Beijing International Film Festival ({{zh|s=北京国际电影节}}), abbreviated BJIFF, is a film festival in Beijing, China. Founded in 2011, along with the Shanghai International Film Festival, it is one of China's two biggest film festivals.
The festival is one of the world's most prominent film festivals. Since its launch, it has been heavily attended by Hollywood executives, directors, producers, and studio heads, as well as filmmakers and actors from all over the world. It serves as an international venue for different cultures around the globe to communicate.{{cite news |title=Stars turn out for the 8th annual Beijing International Film Festival |url=http://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/stars-turn-out-8th-annual-beijing-international-film-festival |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417084643/http://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/stars-turn-out-8th-annual-beijing-international-film-festival |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |work=AsiaOne}}{{cite news |title=Stars turn out for the 8th annual Beijing International Film Festival |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/stars-turn-out-for-the-8th-annual-beijing-international-film-festival |work=The Straits Times |date=16 April 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/lure-of-biz-in-china-pulls-execs-to-beijing-film-fest-1200375403/|title=Lure of Biz in China Pulls Execs to Beijing Film Fest|work=Variety.date=2013-04-16}}
The festival has two in-competition sections. The Tiantan Award Competition aims is to promote diversity in world cinema, and the Forward Future Competition aims to highlight first second features.{{cite web |title=14th Beijing International Film Festival – Call for Entry 2024 |url=https://asianfilmfestivals.com/2023/11/21/beijing-international-film-festival-call-for-entry-2024/ |website=Asian Film Festivals |access-date=4 April 2024}}
As China's box office has expanded exponentially over the past decade, the festival aims to provide a high-profile forum for the interaction between the Chinese and the international film industries.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-film-festival-brings-hollywood-695870|title=Beijing Film Festival Brings Hollywood Power Players, Classic Cinema to China|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=14 April 2014}}
BJIFF is organized by China Film Administration, China Media Group, and Beijing Government.
Festival programme
= Official Selection Competition =
The two in-competition, official sections are the Tiantan and the Forward Future.{{cite web |title=14th Beijing International Film Festival – Call for Entry 2024 |url=https://asianfilmfestivals.com/2023/11/21/beijing-international-film-festival-call-for-entry-2024/ |website=Asian Film Festivals |access-date=4 April 2024}}
== Tiantan Award ==
The "Tiantan Award" was established in 2012 and began its selection process in 2013. The award adheres to the value concept of “unity of man and nature, beauty shared by all.” It is evaluated with an international perspective, standardized procedures, and professional standards. The judges are composed of masters and celebrities from the international film industry. The award aims to discover and collect the latest and best works worldwide, encourage film diversity, and serve as the highest award for the Beijing International Film Festival.
The design concept of the Tiantan Award trophy originates from the core value concept of “unity of man and nature, beauty shared by all”. The overall height of the trophy is 45 cm, with a base height of 9 cm and a cup height of 36 cm, both multiples of “9”, which symbolizes the highest honor of the Tiantan Award. The homophonic sound of “9” means “long-lasting” and means people admire for auspiciousness.
== Forward Future ==
The "Forward Future" section was established in 2014 to encourage innovative spirit in film-making, stimulating creativity in film art; discovering and promoting new filmmakers; capturing trends and tendencies in international film; showcase rich and diverse cultural connotations in film art; enhance cooperation and communication among young filmmakers from various countries. This section is dedicated to encouraging new directors and originality. The films selected must be the director's first or second feature-length films.
= Beijing Film Panorama =
The Beijing Film Panorama is one of the most popular sections for moviegoers at the Beijing International Film Festival. Hundreds of domestic and foreign films are screened at dozens of participating cinemas in Beijing during this event. It includes over ten sub-sections, such as Jury Chairman, Classic Restoration, Tribute to Filmmakers, Focus Filmmakers, Global Vision, Chinese Power, etc., and nearly a hundred main creative meetings for audiences. It is one of the largest international film festivals in China.
= Beijing Film Market =
The Beijing Film Market was formerly known as the “Film Market”. Since 2019 it has been renamed as the “Beijing Film Market”. It includes sections such as investment promotion exhibitions, project investment financing, industry dialogues, special events, signing ceremonies, film promotion meetings, etc., with a theme of “displaying, promoting, communicating, and trading”. It builds three significant platforms for “film elements”, “project investment” and “copyright trading”, covering the entire film industry chain to promote the development of the film industry. It is one of Asia’s most active film markets.
= Theme Forum =
The Beijing Planning · Theme Forum aims to promote international exchanges on film concepts, art, and technology; enhance China’s understanding and reference to the global film industry; promote domestic and foreign film cooperation; explore the latest developments in film art and technology.
== Film Master Class ==
The Film Master Class invites outstanding filmmakers from China and abroad to give lectures on topics such as their experience with filmmaking, their ideas on filmmaking, opportunities and challenges in film development, etc., share their most authentic career paths and most valuable life experiences, inherit the precious spiritual wealth of images and stories. It serves as a bridge between filmmakers and moviegoers.
= Beijing College Student Film Festival =
The Beijing College Student Film Festival was founded in 1993. It aims to inspire college students’ attention to Chinese films; discover young talents among college students in film theory and criticism; promote talent cultivation reserve for Chinese film theory talents; develop a Chinese film criticism career. Since its establishment in 2011 by Beijing International Film Festival, it has been merged into one of its parallel sections.
Awards
= Tiantan Award =
- Best Feature Film
- Best Director
- Best Artistic Contribution
- Best Leading Actor
- Best Leading Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Music
= Forward Future =
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Actress
- Best Actor
- Best Artistic Contribution
- Jury Special Mention
2012 Festival
Notable international guest speakers at the 2012 festival including James Cameron,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-cameron-considers-teaming-china-317183|title=James Cameron Considers Teaming With China for 'Avatar' Sequels (Q&A)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2012-04-26}} who unveiled the details of the upcoming Avatar sequels at the film festival; Jim Gianopulos,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-film-festival-james-cameron-jim-gianopulos-international-co-production-315791|title=Beijing Film Festival Champions International Co-Productions|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2012-04-24}} Jeremy Renner, Tom DeSanto, Jon Landau, who were there to discuss co-productions between Hollywood and Chinese film studios.
2013 Festival
Notable guests at the 2013 festival includes Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-international-film-festival-hollywood-440025|title=Hollywood Descends on China for Beijing International Film Festival}} Paul Hanneman, Keanu Reeves, and Peter Chan. Luc Besson, Jean-Jacques Annaud, and Wolfgang Petersen also discussed their upcoming co-productions in China at the festival.
2014 Festival
The 2014 festival saw Jean Reno, Alfonso Cuaron,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-film-fest-alfonso-cuaron-698082|title=Beijing Film Fest: Alfonso Cuaron Talks 3D Strategies, Next Project|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Paramount Pictures COO Frederick Huntsberry,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-film-festival-brings-hollywood-695870|title=Beijing Film Festival Brings Hollywood Power Players, Classic Cinema to China|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Oliver Stone, MPAA president Christopher Dodd, Peter Del Vecho, Carlos Saldanha, John Woo,{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-john-woo-talks-us-696225|title=Beijing: John Woo Talks U.S.-China Collaboration, Hollywood Lessons, Next Two Films (Q&A)|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Timur Bekmambetov, Peter Ziering, Andres Vicente Gomez, Rajkumar Hirani and Jim Sheridan.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beijing-film-fest-confirms-chris-691604|title=Beijing Film Fest Confirms Chris Dodd, Alfonso Cuaron, Oliver Stone to Attend}} The festival also saw a large representation from the BFI, the British Film Commission and BBC, who are aiming for a closer co-production agreement with China.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leading-british-film-group-beijing-696206|title=Leading British Film Group in Beijing to Explore Closer Ties With China|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}
2015 Festival
The 2015 festival saw Arnold Schwarzenegger,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/beijing-festival-arnold-schwarzenegger-1201473743/|title=Beijing Film Fest: Schwarzenegger says he'll be back}} and Darren Aronofsky{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-beijing-film-festival-20150415-story.html#page=1|title=Beijing Film Fest: exploring new opportunities}} attend the event in April.
2016 Festival
The 2016 festival saw Natalie Portman,{{cite web|url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/118392/20160422/beijing-international-film-fest-natalie-portman-natalie-portman-beijing-beijing-film-fest-lee-min-ho.htm/|title=Beijing Film Fest2016: Natalie Portman looks stunning}} and Christoph Waltz{{cite web|url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/118392/20160422/beijing-international-film-fest-natalie-portman-natalie-portman-beijing-beijing-film-fest-lee-min-ho.htm|title=Beijing Film Fest 2016: exploring new opportunities}} as well as Brett Ratner, Sam Raimi, Yojiro Takita, Giuseppe Tornatore and Iain Smith attend the event in April.{{cite web|url=http://ft-agency.com/natalie-portman-christoph-waltz-brett-ratner-sam-raimi-and-yojiro-takita-the-bjiff-2016|title=Beijing Film Fest2016: Top talent attend festival}}
2018 Festival
{{main|8th Beijing International Film Festival}}
2019 Festival
The 2019 festival was held from April 13 to the 20th.
2020 Festival
The 2020 Festival was postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.Davis, Rebecca. (March 9, 2020). [https://autos.yahoo.com/beijing-international-film-festival-indefinitely-050653031.html Beijing International Film Festival Indefinitely Postponed Due to Coronavirus]. Variety (magazine). Los Angeles It was later held from August 22 to the 29th.
2021 Festival
{{Main|11th Beijing International Film Festival}}
The 11th Beijing International Film Festival, which was originally scheduled for August 14 to 21, and postponed in the aftermath of COVID-19, was held from the 21 to 29 September 2021.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ecns.cn/m/news/society/2021-09-07/detail-ihaqussy0898401.shtml |title= 11th Beijing International Film Festival to open on Sept. 21|author= Wang Yifan |work= Ecns.cn |publisher= Chinanews |date= September 7, 2021 |access-date= September 7, 2021 |language=ko}}
2022 Festival
The 12th Beijing International Film Festival was held from August 13 to 20, 2022
2023 Festival
The 13th Beijing International Film Festival was held from April 25 to 27, 2023{{cite news |title=13th Beijing International Film Festival Opens, Celebrates Era in All Its Glory, and Feeds "Beijing Approach" into World Cinema |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13th-beijing-international-film-festival-145600820.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACQDTAVx0li_BBH_w1M8WUHIiKx3W7CWE3lFGr101c1oBFlNd3RlMoLDdE_GMZZ_U8Cv412hCxbxtR669KarY7FXv00UN2BTzVR8mqiTNJAn_bi3lkdf0VXtbmhfxn4pcwqIbf-bn5hCG7rqAvhEyNIURQVDUoc9IcK0YwO6O7Rr |access-date=3 April 2024 |publisher=Yahoo News |date=24 April 2023}}
2024 Festival
{{Main|14th Beijing International Film Festival}} The 14th edition of the festival was scheduled to be held April 18-26, 2024.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Beijing International Film Festival to open mid-April|url=https://english.news.cn/20240328/7f32adb283d748e0bf3c4580d511d5e8/c.html|access-date=2 April 2024 |publisher=Xinhua |date=28 March 2024}}
2025 Festival
{{Main Article|15th Beijing International Film Festival}}
The 15th edition of the festival was scheduled to be held April 17-27, 2025
Censorship
Amid increasing criticism(6 August 2020). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53676789 Hollywood censors films to appease China, report suggests]. BBC News. United KingdomTager, James. [https://pen.org/report/made-in-hollywood-censored-by-beijing/ Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing]. PEN America. New York City of China's tightening of censorship, the 2018 Festival attracted controversy when Chinese Government censors banned the Festival from screening the Oscar-winning Call Me by Your Name (film),Pei Li and Adam Jourdan. (26 March 2018). [https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKL1N1R8097 Beijing festival pulls award-winning gay film amid content squeeze]. Reuters.Ho, Pang-Chieh. (5 April 2018). [https://supchina.com/2018/04/05/call-me-by-your-name-pulled-from-beijing-international-film-festival/ Gay romance ‘Call Me By Your Name’ pulled from Beijing International Film Festival]. [https://supchina.com/ SupChina]. Beijing, throwing a spotlight on LGBT rights in China. In 2014, China had shut down the Beijing Independent Film Festival,Didi Tang. (24 August 2014). [https://apnews.com/9f136b51a5ad419ea3e4537dbf3b3ed7 China shuts down Beijing Independent Film Festival]. AP News. New York CityKaiman, Jonathan. (24 August 2014). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/24/beijing-independent-film-festival-shut-down-china-freedom Beijing independent film festival shut down by Chinese authorities]. The Guardian. London, UK and in January 2020, The China Independent Film Festival (CIFF) shut down operations, citing censorship concerns.Goh, Brenda. (11 January 2020). [https://de.reuters.com/article/china-film/independent-film-festival-in-china-shuts-says-impossible-to-pursue-independence-idINKCN1ZA07O Independent film festival in China shuts, says 'impossible' to pursue independence]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Reuters. Deutschland
References
{{reflist}}
See also
- Beijing Independent Film Festival, an independent film festival in the same city
- List of film festivals in China
{{Film festivals in China}}
Category:2011 establishments in China