The number 12 symbolizes a cycle in China. At the juncture of ending and restarting, the 12th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) tries to integrate itself into the new development pattern, and hosted the Film Night in Beijing, China for the first time. On the beautiful evening of August 15, the event brought together over a hundred guests at the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center in the name of film. It became a gathering of Chinese film and television makers for exchanges featuring masterpieces and stars, boosted confidence of global filmmakers and fans, and put the Beijing Moment in spotlight of the worldwide filmmaking community.

The Film Night in Beijing, China, hosted by the BJIFF Organizing Committee, invited Yu Junsheng, Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and President of Beijing Radio & Television Station, and Vice Chairman & Secretary General of the BJIFF Organizing Committee, jury members of the Tiantan Award, casts & crews of Chinese films shortlisted for this year’s Tiantan Award, casts & crews promoting new films, members of the Committee of Experts on the China Film Industry Honorary Selection, film and television enterprises, actors, actresses and media, during which they could exchange their ideas in a relaxed and pleasant environment. By means of films, they were able to express their feelings, get united and fight for a shared future. The event has fully displayed how the inclusive international city of Beijing embraces innovation, fashion and vitality.

As stated by Yu Junsheng, Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and President of Beijing Radio & Television Station, and Vice Chairman & Secretary General of the BJIFF Organizing Committee, “We are confident that the organization of one edition after another BJIFF may revitalize and contribute to the construction of a film power and national cultural center”.

　　

Film festivals are like a harbor for filmmakers, through which various parties use the opportunity to exchange their feelings, learn from each other and draw on information. The Jury President of the “Tiantan Award” this year and famous Chinese actor Li Xuejian, and jury members, including Chinese director Frant Gwo, British director Malcolm Clarke, Chinese actress, director and screenwriter Qin Hailu and Chinese director and actor Wu Jing, appeared ensemble at the Film Night in Beijing, China.

Jury members expressed their feelings about the jury work and their deep understanding of the film industry, which benefited the guests and proved the spiritual bonding of “Art is Borderless” that the BJIFF provides for filmmakers. It not only actively promotes filmmaking inspiration and creativity, but also fully spreads “Chinese confidence” and “Chinese voice”.

　　

After a process of strong start, leapfrog development and international presence, the BJIFF has become a signature event of building a national cultural center, and contributes new momentum and vitality to the growth of Chinese and global films. The Bluebook of 11th Beijing International Film Festival released by Zeng Xiangmin, professor and Party Secretary of the Television School of the Communication University of China, at the Film Night in Beijing, China includes highlights of the 11th BJIFF, organizes and collects complete data, and summarizes the precious moments of the festival.

The release of the Bluebook of 11th Beijing International Film Festival reviews the history of the BJIFF, and serves as a major step to explore with reason the development pattern and pathways for China’s film and television industry, and enhance the brand influence of the BJIFF.

　　

The new power of Chinese films is blossoming, and the "Chinese narrative" is constantly innovated in the field of film and television. The Film Night in Beijing, China contained the promotion of Chinese films shortlisted for the “Tiantan Award” and new films.

There are four Chinese films shortlisted for the “Tiantan Award” this year. In Search of Lost Time, directed by Derek Yee and starring Chen Baoguo, Ma Su, Ayungg-a, Wang Qiang and Ding Chengxin, is adapted from the historical event of “three thousand orphans entering Inner Mongolia”. It offers a panorama of the story that took place 60 years ago, and would be cherished in history forever for the greater friendship between ethnic groups. By focusing cameras on ordinary individuals, and capturing inner emotions through minute depiction, Derek Yee is able to present such a moving historical chapter, and reproduce the loving legend on screen. The cast, including Ma Su and Luo Yichun, appeared and shared their behind-the-scenes stories.

　　

　　

Kong & Jigme, directed by Chen Guoxing and Lhapal Gyal, is based on real characters. The film presents collision and fusion of mindset and culture of Han and Tibet ethnic groups through the story of Kong and Jigme. The film was shot in an exceptionally difficult environment, with half of the scenes completed at an average altitude of 5,000 meters. But the presenter Shen Wugang is very confident, and praised the outstanding young team, “The film won’t let you down”.

　　

Off the Stage, directed by Qiao Liang and starring Yuan Wenkang and He Saifei, intertwines the unique stage of Yue Opera, small hometown and memories of stage performance. It tells the story about teacher Qi by He Saifei making choices in her personal career and family life, and subsequent complicated kinship and instinctive love.

　　

Song of Spring, directed by Yang Lina, produced by Yin Lu and starring Wu Yanshu and Xi Meijuan, focuses on the elderly, a rare subject of Chinese films. It tells the story of an 85-year-old mother taking care of her 65-year-old daughter with Alzheimer’s disease. According to director Yang Lina, “Apart from humanity, it’s a film about love and mother, and an ode to life”.

As for promotion of new films, China Youth: My Youth & I, initiated by entities including the China Youth Daily agency, tells three stories of young people in three stages. The film integrates individual ideals into the development of the era, and opens the chapter of youth full of passion. “I’m confident that our film would set up a good example for the new generation of youth”, as Xing Zhaolin and Xing Fei, representatives of the cast & crew, introduced, the audience got passionate, too.

　　

The family-friendly animation KungFu Gools tells the story of three young goats in a fantasy forest who, while learning Chinese Kung Fu, engage in a battle of wits and hilarious adventure with a hungry wolf who is exhausted because of being on a vegetarian diet.

　　

The films, encompassing the spirit of the times and diversified genres, prove that the major players, creators and audience in the Chinese film market have become increasingly mature, and outstanding Chinese films continue to earn good rating and box office gross, and vivid “Chinese stories” are presenting multi-dimensional care for family and country.

The prosperity of China film industry would not be possible without joint efforts of filmmakers and film enterprises. At the Film Night in Beijing, China, seven honors were announced and awarded by the Honorary Selection of China Film Industry in recognition of behind-the-scenes heroes and major players who have promoted the development of China film industry this year.

　　

In order to listen to a wider range of voices in the industry, and grow shoulder to shoulder with enterprises and the market, the Committee of Experts on The Honorary Selection of China Film Industry is made up of heavyweight experts in the industry with Zhang Pimin, Chairman of China Film Fund, and former Deputy Director General of the Film Bureau of the National Radio and Television Administration, as Chairman of the Committee of Experts, and members of the Committee of Experts including Xu Bo, Chairman of China Culture Industry Investment Fund of Funds Management Co., Ltd., Zhou Jiandong, Executive Vice Chairman of China Film Producers’ Association, Rao Shuguang, President of the China Film Critics Association, Lin Minjie, Vice Chairman of China Film Distribution & Exhibition Association, and President of Urban Theatre Branch, China Film Distribution & Exhibition Association, Yan Xiaoming, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of China Film Fund, and Cui Yan, Executive Deputy Director of the BJIFF Organizing Committee Office.

Specifically, Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the Committee of Experts, announced selection rules, while presenters Zhang Guangbei, Matt Wu, Zoe Zhang, Guo Xiaodong, Gong Beibi and Qi Xi together with members of the Committee of Experts presented certificates of honor to representatives from winning enterprises. And the five advisors of The Honorary Selection of China Film Industry appeared.

As for winners, China Film Co., Ltd. is named the Investment Company of the Year, Bank of Beijing Co., Ltd. the Financing Company of the Year, Bona Film Group Co., Ltd. the Production Company of the Year, Tianjin Maoyan We Capital Culture Media Co., Ltd. the Publicity Company of the Year, Shanghai Taopiaopiao Film and Television Culture Co., Ltd. the Distribution Company of the Year, HG Entertainment the Cinema Circuit of the Year, and Beijing Tmeng Pictures Co., Ltd. the Online Film Company of the Year. 

The selection and award presentation reflect trends of the industry, build the cohesiveness and influence of the BJIFF in film and finance, and push the film industry toward a new stage of standardized, industrialized, large-scale, and high-quality development. All these efforts from the film industry will contribute to building the capital into a cultural center and China into a cultural power.

Seize opportunities and act as one. The BJIFF embodies the beauty, generosity and inclusiveness of the “dual Olympic city”, and touching epitome of Chinese filmmakers’ diligence, entrepreneurship and striding towards a film power. The 12th BJIFF—Film Night in Beijing, China delivered an unforgettable film event with great success. It demonstrates the internationalization and professional level of the BJIFF as the festival acts in accordance with the strategic urban functional positioning of the capital, promotes the construction of national cultural center and improves the functional construction of the international exchange center. It also presents the tenacity and courage as well as hope and vitality of China film industry, and offers a sincere gift in honor of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.