The traditional Qixi Festival (also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day) fell on August 25 this year. As winners of six award categories including the Special Award and sponsor awards were announced, the eventful and meaningful International Project Pitching of the 10th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) concluded by the Beijing Yanqi Lake. After approx. nine months of solicitation, first and second rounds of review, training and final round, young filmmakers could finally showcase their talent at the Project Pitches, and met investors. 

　　Wang Jiequn, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Director of the Beijing Municipal Film Administration, Vice Chairman & Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, attended and addressed the International Project Pitching. According to her, a total of 829 entries were submitted, up by 94 compared to last year. During the nine-month project review, young filmmakers remained true to their passion and original aspirations, and demonstrated perseverance and endeavor of the rising force. BJIFF’s Project Pitches will continue to serve the industry, discover new talents, respect original works, and make sure China film will be better carried forward.

Wang Jiequn, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Director of the Beijing Municipal Film Administration, Vice Chairman & Secretary General of the Organizing Committee

　　Other guests attending the International Project Pitching and Award Reception for Project Pitches of the 10th BJIFF included Dong Ming, Class-II Counsel  of the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau and Deputy Secretary General of the Organizing Committee of the 10th BJIFF, Bian Jian, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Chief Editor of Beijing Radio & Television Station and Deputy Secretary General of the Organizing Committee of the 10th BJIFF, and William Feng, Head of Greater China & Vice President of Asia Pacific, Motion Picture Association (MPA).

　　The International Project Pitching and final-round selection lasted a whole day. Chen Kuo-Fu, a famous producer and jury president for the final-round selection of the Project Pitches along with Yong Mei, the winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actress and Deng Chao, a well-known actor, director and presenter listened to presentations of 11 projects and 6 WIPs, and had in-depth exchanges regarding specific progress of the projects. Three jury members proposed strict requirements for “industry, market and audience-oriented” projects and young filmmakers from their own perspective. Their professional, candid and pertinent comments became the highlights of the event.

　　Jury member Mr. Deng Cao has a keen eye for comedy projects, and he prefers works that depict true feelings and emotions of ordinary people. Looking back on his own experience as an actor and director, he totally understood the difficulties young directors are faced with. He was generous with acclaim for each project. And he encouraged filmmakers to create audience-oriented projects, and pay attention to moving stories around them.

　　Jury member Ms. Yong Mei offered comments from precious perspective of actor regarding creation of characters. She guided young directors to think out of the box, shared her ideas about performance and re-creation, and answered questions related to project development.

　　Jury president Chen Kuo-Fu gave all-round comments such as originality and completeness of works, and discussed with project representative about how to define their market position. As he indicated, he sometimes puts himself in the shoes of a production company and figures out selling points of a project; and he sometimes puts himself in the audience’s shoes and think about what factors would impress the audience the most. “Product” and “position” popped up frequently in his comments.

　　The year 2020 marks the ninth edition of the Project Pitches of the BJIFF. The event keeps encouraging and supporting talented young filmmakers’ pursuit of dreams, and bringing in new blood into Chinese films. At the Award Reception for Project Pitches of the 10th BJIFF, Transmit Entertainment, Quhe Culture, Image Forestt, Robotech, Cinerent Ltd., MPA, and Organizing Committee of the BJIFF offered support in funding, technology, services and international exchanges to the following projects:

　　The HUIS  won the Special Award with 50,000 yuan prize money awarded by the Organizing Committee of the BJIFF; JIGME  was named the Project with Greatest Commercial Potential with 50,000 yuan prize money awarded by Quhe Culture; GUIZHOU Rock n' Roll  won the Best Creativity Award with 50,000 yuan prize money awarded by Quhe Culture; Aerial Pastoral by Grandpa won the Best Original Script Award with 50,000 yuan prize money awarded by Transmit Entertainment; each of the above four projects was also awarded with 100,000-yuan equipment services by Cinerent Ltd..

　　As for WIPs, the Life on Edge  was named the Project with Greatest Commercial Potential with 250,000-yuan color correction services awarded by the Image Forestt; Knock Knock  won the Team with Greatest Potential Award with 300,000-yuan two trailer editing services awarded by the Robotech.

　　The ANA  and Life on Edge won the MPA Award and MPA APSA Award respectively. The MPA Award winner was awarded with a field trip to Hollywood, the screening event held in Los Angeles, and opportunities to pitch its project to international production companies. The MPA APSA Award winner was awarded with a trip to attend the Asian Pacific Screen Awards and related film exchange events held in Australia, and opportunity to pitch its project at the Australia China Co-Production Forum.

　　Another two WIPs, namely the Tiger, Run  and No Problem with Thought were awarded the Overseas Promotion Award sponsored by the Organizing Committee of the BJIFF. Project representatives will be sent to learn and have exchanges at international film festivals on behalf of young Chinese directors to broaden their international horizon.

　　Meanwhile, Winter Pasture, Downstream, A thief died, Stage and Lets ride, son  were named Outstanding Pitching Projects; The Rattle Drum and Little Crane Zhuoma  were named Outstanding WIPs.

　　The Qixi Festival is the most romantic traditional Chinese festival. Project representatives rushed to the International Project Pitching early today, and had a special rendezvous with investors. The 10th BJIFF highlights Online BJIFF, and adopts an online plus offline delivery. Based on the requirements of normalized pandemic prevention and control, integration, innovation and development, project negotiations will be available online via the official website of the BJIFF from August 26 on.