Zhang Yimou is a domestically and internationally recognized director who pioneers in innovation and challenging the unknown. He started two waves in China’s film community—the Red Sorghum marking the rise of art films, and the Hero marking the start of rejuvenation of commercial films.

　　In 1988, Zhang Yimou made his international debut on behalf of Chinese filmmakers at the Award Ceremony of the Berlin International Film Festival. His maiden work Red Sorghum received great recognition from the jury and won the Golden Bear. The movie narrating the story of a nation with amazing cinematography was highly acclaimed among international filmmakers.

　　His rise to the pinnacle at debut didn’t inhibit him from striding forward. In the 1990s, his works The Story of Qiu-Ju and Not One Less both won the Golden Lion, making him a beacon of China films in the international film community. 

　　After 2000, with the market-driven development of the film industry in China, Zhang started to explore commercial films. Hero released in late 2002 was almost a market savor that provoked the public’s passion for going to cinemas.

　　With more than three decades’ involvement in the film industry, Zhang never limits his creation to certain genre or field. While the theme of his works is ever changing, his commitment to aesthetics of films remains the same. His feature films, romantic films and martial arts films, and even his latest attempt at modern crime film, all embody self-breakthrough. He remains as creative as young directors.

　　Since the founding of the BJIFF, Zhang Yimou made multiple appearances at BJIFF’s exchange activities for Chinese and foreign filmmakers and award ceremonies to carry forward senior filmmakers’ experience and character. His works were screened and became box office hits at the BJIFF.

　　At the Tiantan Award held in 2019, he expressed his expectation for the new generation of Chinese and international filmmakers from the perspective a director specialized in China’s stories for over 30 years, “there are more China’s stories to be narrated, and more international stories to be seen here.”

　　In the extraordinary year of 2020, China and the whole world is faced with challenges that must be overcome. At the same time, the development of online technologies brings about new opportunities for the film industry.

　　On the occasion, the 10th BJIFF invites Zhang Yimou to attend the Launch Ceremony held on August 22 in the hope that his calm response to challenges and opportunities of the era may be passed on to all filmmaking professionals.