The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) opened its doors on April 18, celebrating cinema from around the world with a blend of modern innovation and nostalgic charm.
Sun Junmin, Executive Vice Chairman of the BJIFF Organizing Committee, inaugurated the festival, highlighting Beijing’s pivotal role as the birthplace and innovation hub of Chinese cinema. He emphasized the city’s creative resources and technological strengths in nurturing talent and advancing the film industry.
Fan Yun, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, addressed the attendees alongside Switzerland’s Ambassador to China, Juerg Burri, representing this year’s guest country of honor. Fan noted that 2025 will mark the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, tracing its journey since the first film “Dingjun Mountain” premiered in 1905. She reaffirmed China Media Group’s commitment to supporting the future of cinema through media innovation and global partnerships.
This year’s Tiantan Awards, the festival’s main competition, received a record-breaking 1,794 entries from 103 countries and regions—a remarkable 18.9% increase from last year. Fifteen films have been shortlisted, including Chinese productions “Deep in the Mountains” and “Better Me Better You,” the Kenya-Germany co-production “Nawi: Dear Future Me,” Iran-Czech film “Derno,” and Argentina’s “The Message.” Renowned Chinese director and actor Jiang Wen serves as this year’s jury president.
The opening ceremony delighted audiences with nostalgic appearances by beloved animated characters such as the Monkey King, Shuke & Beita, and Afanti. The seven “Calabash Brothers” surprised the crowd with robotic transformations, while musical highlights from iconic films around the globe evoked 130 years of cinematic history.
The festival will conclude on April 26 with an awards ceremony announcing the ten winners of the Tiantan Awards. The opening ceremony was streamed live by CGTN in six languages and will air on CCTV-3 on April 20, with additional coverage across CCTV’s digital platforms.
The BJIFF continues to unite filmmakers and audiences, showcasing diverse stories and fostering international collaboration in the world of cinema.
