Established in 2014, “Forward Future” International Screening Unit is one of the sub-sections at the 5th Beijing International Film Festival in 2015. Beijing International Film Festival is a large cultural activity sponsored by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality’ and undertaken by the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (Beijing Municipal Bureau of Copyright) and Huairou District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. “Forward Future” International Screening Unit is organized by the Beijing Film Academy Department of Film Theory and China Film Culture Institute.
The event will be held at the Beijing Film Academy on April 17-23. So far, 16 foreign films are confirmed to participate in this section. During this activity, the cast of some films will meet with audiences. It is noted that “Forward Future” Unit firstly sets up three awards this year: Best Feature Film, Best Directing and Best Screenwriter, each of them with US$10,000 money award.
This section aims to “encourage film innovation spirit, stimulate the creative vitality of film art, discover new filmmakers and increase cooperation and communication among young filmmakers across the world”. This section looks for films produced by young filmmakers in the world. On the premise of complying with the regulations of Beijing International Film Festival, this section does not limit the theme, type and nationality, and encourages new directors and maiden works. The films to be showed are feature films, and the number of feature films of relevant director shall not be more than two.
16 foreign films are invited in this section from the UK, France, Japan, Canada, Korea, Germany, Italy and other countries and regions. They are all young director’s works or maiden works from all over the world and most of them are awarded films at important international film festivals, highly recognized by experts and audiences. These films are: Hinterland (UK), Parabellum (Argentina/Uruguay/Austria), In The Crosswind (Estonia), Line of Credit (Georgia/France), Egoist (Italy, Belgium/France), Fish and Cat (Iran), Wet Bum (Canada), Chigasaki Story (Japan), Late Season (Greece/Italy/Romania), Open Cage (Mexico), Wild Flowers (Korea), Journey to The Mother (France/Russia), Dirty Yellow Darkness (Sri Lanka), The Wolf at the Door (Brazil), Theeb (United Arabic Emirates/Qatar/Jordan/UK), Atlantic (Germany/Belgium/Netherlands/Morocco/France).
Young people are the hope of the future, while films interpret the world. “Forward Future” International Screening Unit pays attention to young directors and cares for the future of global film development. New out-of-competition section gathers new forces in the world’s film industry and it will blossom in the spring of 2015.