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As the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) commences on April 18, the annual event is presenting an array of riches for cinephiles and industry professionals alike, marking a trifecta of milestones: the 130th anniversary of world cinema, the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and the festival’s own 15th year.
Headlining this year’s Workshop & Masterclass series is a triumvirate of cinematic heavyweights. French acting legend Isabelle Huppert, who has appeared in over 100 films and earned multiple accolades including best actress at Cannes for “The Piano Teacher” and a Golden Globe for “Elle,” will explore “The Undercurrent Beneath the Ice” – an examination of her distinctive artistic approach that has made her a force in European cinema. The masterclass promises insights into her celebrated collaborations with directors like Claude Chabrol and Michael Haneke.
Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke, whose works like “Still Life” and “Ash Is Purest White” have earned him acclaim at Cannes and Venice, will present “Mountains May Depart, Memories Never Fade.” Joining him will be a group of longtime collaborators including cinematographer Yu Lik-wai, who has shot all of Jia’s films to date; French editor Matthieu Laclau, who won the Chlotrudis Award for “Mountains May Depart”; Shozo Ichiyama, the programming director for the Tokyo Film Festival, whose producing credits include “Mountains May Depart”; and sound designer Zhang Yang, who has collaborated with Zhangke on “Still Life,” “Mountains May Depart,” “Ash Is Purest White,” and “Caught by the Tides.”
Rounding out the trio is Jiang Wen, the multi-hyphenate talent known for “Let the Bullets Fly” and “Red Sorghum,” who will share insights into his cinematic universe on April 25. Jiang, who has previously served on juries at Cannes and Venice, heads the jury for this year’s Tiantan Awards.
The festival’s Industry Forum panel “How High Is the Ceiling for China’s Film Market?” arrives at a watershed moment, following the $2.11 billion-grossing Lunar New Year phenomenon “Ne Zha 2,” which not only shattered local box office records but entered the top five in global box office history. The forum features a lineup of cross-border talent, including Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Fu Ruoqing, chair of China Film Group; Daniel Manwaring, CEO of Imax China; Cedric Behrel of distributor Trinity CineAsia; Catherine Ying of CMC Pictures; and filmmakers Huang Jianxin and Andrew Lau.
“The Industry Forum starts from the phenomenon-level new model represented by ‘Ne Zha 2’ and focuses on the creation of IP films in China and abroad, considering the global dominance of animated sequels,” a festival representative tells Variety. “Guest invitations emphasize cross-disciplinary combinations, with the Industry Forum featuring representatives from renowned film companies as well as famous directors.”
The Beijing Film Market continues to serve as an incubator for emerging talent and new works. This year’s market incorporates several new initiatives, including the “Young Stone Project” for emerging directors and the “Most Anticipated Young Directors’ Works Recommendation Gala,” and a focus on project pitching and development.
In a significant shift, the market has moved away from traditional booth layouts. “Rather than simply replicating the traditional booth-based trading model, we aim to create a more targeted space for meaningful exchanges,” the organizing committee notes. “Through this more precise matchmaking approach, we can achieve two goals: enabling Chinese audiences to discover more international masterpieces that align with their tastes, and helping Chinese films find overseas partners who truly understand them.”
The Project Pitches section, a cornerstone of the market, received 507 submissions this year across genres ranging from comedy and drama to fantasy and science fiction. The final selection includes 10 script-based projects including “Needle in the Apple” and “The Washing Machines’ Guide to the Supreme,” six works-in-progress including “Wind” and “Don’t Forget Me,” three sports-themed projects, and three Hong Kong HAF-recommended projects, all competing for honors such as “Best Original Script Project” and “Project With Greatest Commercial Potential.”
Zhang Ji, a seasoned screenwriter whose credits include “American Dreams in China” and “Leap,” serves as the Beijing Film Market art director, while actor Huang Xuan takes on the role of pioneer convener. The market also features nightly gatherings including a closing music party with performers including Jing Ziqi and Ye Xuanqing, creating networking opportunities for young filmmakers.
The International Lounge section of the festival is set to welcome numerous global sales companies, continuing the momentum from last year when the lounge facilitated over 120 industry meetings in just three days. Among the participants are Japan’s Toho Global (known for the “Godzilla” franchise), Britain’s SC Films International and Protagonist Pictures, France’s Pulsar Content and Italy’s Vision Distribution.
“The effectiveness of the International Lounge can be measured across three dimensions, with actual transaction outcomes being the most direct proof,” the festival organizers say. “For instance, during last year’s event, Trinity CineAsia, a renowned international company, secured the distribution rights for ‘Black Dog,’ directed by acclaimed director Guan Hu, in the U.K. and Ireland. They also successfully facilitated the film’s selection at the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival.” The organizers also note that Australia’s Little Monster Entertainment learned about “Caught by the Tides” at the lounge and successfully negotiated with MK2 for Antipodean rights.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, this year’s festival has designated Switzerland as its Country of Honor. The collaboration brings a delegation of Swiss filmmakers and officials to Beijing, with Swiss Ambassador Johann N. Schneider-Ammann expected to attend the opening ceremony. A Swiss Film Week will showcase six works including “The Sparrow in the Chimney,” “The Courageous” and “Alpha,” fostering deeper cultural exchange between the two nations.
The festival continues to broaden its global outlook with multiple international components. “In recent years, BJIFF has been committed to enhancing its international presence by curating films with a global perspective. It aims to serve as a bridge connecting Chinese and international film cultures, presenting audiences with a diverse panorama of civilizations,” a representative says.
Australian cinema receives special attention with “The Surfer,” “Wolves Always Come at Night,” “Mary and Max,” and other titles in the Vision section, while a Japan Film Week highlights new works like “I Am Kirishima,” “Sleeping Idiot” and “Sunset Sunrise.”
Competition remains at the heart of BJIFF, with several award sections. The “Forward Future” section, dedicated to discovering new global filmmakers, has received entries from 90 countries, with Hungarian director Béla Tarr heading a jury that includes Japan’s Sabu, Chinese actor Jin Chen, actor Song Yang, and Swiss director Cyril Schäublin. The section will screen 15 films including “Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman,” “Fast and Feel Love” and “In the Name of Blood,” with winners to be announced across seven categories.
The flagship Tiantan Award has reached new heights, receiving nearly 1,800 submissions from 103 countries (an 18.9% increase from last year). The jury, led by Jiang Wen and including Joan Chen, David Yates, Ni Ni, Teemu Nikki, Vincent Perez and Tim Yip, will evaluate 15 shortlisted films including entries from Turkey, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Kenya and Iran, alongside Chinese submissions such as “Better Me, Better You,” “Deep in the Mountains” and “Trapped.”
“The Tiantan Award adheres to the core philosophy of ‘Beauty in Variety, Harmony in Diversity,’ embodying a spirit of cultural inclusiveness,” the organizing committee explains. “The selection balances artistic and commercial considerations, showcasing the unique qualities of Chinese cinema while also highlighting global cinematic creations from diverse cultures.”
The festival also features specialized sections such as the Newher women-focused film section, which supports emerging female directors; the “Be Seen” Youth Actors Support Program, featuring 30 young performers mentored by figures like director Li Shaohong and acting coach Zhang Hua; and the AIGC Film Unit exploring the intersection of AI and filmmaking.
Expanding beyond traditional festival boundaries, this year’s BJIFF introduces the Beijing Film & Life Festival, designed to extend the festival’s reach throughout the city. “To deeply activate the multiplier effect of the ‘ticket stub economy,’ 31 screening cinemas have partnered with over 300 nearby restaurants and more than 600 merchants in 30 plus shopping malls citywide to offer discounts for those presenting BJIFF ticket stubs,” organizers explain. This initiative transforms “a professional event into a cultural celebration for all” while creating “a synergistic industrial effect where ‘one film drives diverse consumption.’”
Behind the festival’s ambitious program is a collaborative organizational structure. Guided by the China Film Administration, the event is co-hosted by China Media Group and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The organizing committee is led by figures including Junsheng Yu, deputy director of the publicity department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, director of Beijing Media Network, and vice chairman and secretary-general of the organizing committee of the Beijing International Film Festival; Lu Wang, director of the film and television translation and production center of China Media Group and deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee; and Tao Xu, deputy secretary of the Party Leadership Group, editor-in-chief of Beijing Media Network, and executive deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee.
Additional leadership includes Siwei Lin, deputy director of the China Film Archive and deputy director of the China Film Art Research Center, and Jicheng Gong, member of the standing committee of the Huairou District Committee and director of the Publicity Department.
Support comes from numerous institutions, including the Beijing Municipal Film Administration, Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau, China Film Group Corporation, Beijing Radio & Television Station, Huairou District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Beijing Film Academy and Beijing Enterprises Group Company Limited.
With over 260 film screening approximately 900 times across venues in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, alongside forums, markets, and special events, the 15th BJIFF offers a panoramic view of global cinema while providing a platform for emerging filmmakers. As the festival unfolds across key venues including the Huairou District, Langyuan Station, and commercial cinemas throughout the region until April 26, it reinforces Beijing’s status as a hub for film culture and commerce in Asia and beyond.
