Chen Sicheng to Serve as President of the Final Jury for Project Pitches at the 15th BJIFF: Illuminating the Path of Cinematic Legacy
As one of the key contributors to the industrialization of Chinese cinema, Chen Sicheng has consistently explored the boundless possibilities of Chinese film-making with a pioneering spirit. The 15th Beijing International Film Festival has officially announced that Chen Sicheng - an acclaimed filmmaker who excels as a director, screenwriter, actor, and producer - will serve as the President of the Final Jury for Project Pitches at this year's BJIFF. With his sharp insight into content and the market, he will help identify and nurture promising new creative forces for Chinese cinema.
The Project Pitches of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival
Chen Sicheng, President of the Final Jury
Chen Sicheng made his mark in 2001 with his debut lead role in the film A Young Prisoner's Revenge. Five years later, his portrayal of “Chengcai” in the television series Soldiers Sortie brought him into the public eye. His transition to directing, however, truly cemented his status at the heart of Chinese cinema, particularly through the "Detective Chinatown Universe" that he built. In 2015, Detective Chinatown ushered in a new era of Chinese suspense comedies and was hailed by the media as a “milestone in the industrialization of Chinese genre films”. Since then, the "Detective Chinatown" series has repeatedly broken box office records for Chinese-language IP films, blending comedy with detective mystery in a way that transcends genre boundaries and bridges Chinese humor with global detective culture, creating a distinctive cinematic export.
A Poster of Decoded
In the following years, Chen Sicheng produced the Sheep Without a Shepherd series, a franchise that fused the suspense-crime narrative with reflections on social issues, winning audience acclaim and reigniting enthusiasm for the suspense genre. In 2023, Lost in the Stars, another film produced by Chen Sicheng, set a new summer box office record for suspense films, grossing 3.5 billion yuan. The film's nested narrative structure and visual metaphors left a lasting impression, while its incisive exploration of human nature sparked widespread national discussion. In 2024, Endless Journey, which Chen Sicheng also produced, received six nominations at the 37th China Golden Rooster Awards, ultimately winning two. Chen Sicheng's creative philosophy, which emphasizes "truth as the ultimate strength and emotion as the key to connection," ensures that his films resonate deeply with audiences, forging a strong emotional bond between the screen and the viewer.
A Still from Sheep Without a Shepherd
In recent years, Chen Sicheng's directorial works, including Decoded and Detective Chinatown 1900, have continued to explore diversified genres and push the boundaries of industrialized film-making. Behind the rapid pace of his creative output and box office successes, Chen Sicheng has consistently pursued the exploration of film industrialization, dedicating himself to supporting the entire industry chain - from script development and technological production to talent cultivation and post-production investment. Central to this endeavor is his unwavering commitment to identifying and nurturing emerging filmmakers. Whether guiding contestants in reality shows focused on creative production or establishing project incubation platforms behind the scenes, Chen Sicheng has demonstrated a profound dedication to transforming his personal commercial success into a shared industry resource. This vision aligns perfectly with the mission of the Beijing International Film Festival, especially that of the project pitches section in the Beijing film market.
A Still from Detective Chinatown 1900
Chen Sicheng is a longtime friend of the Beijing International Film Festival. In 2018, Chen Sicheng participated in the launch of the “Tiantan Action” initiative with Detective Chinatown 2, where he shared his insights and expectations for the future of Chinese cinema. In the years since, through numerous interactions with the festival, he has stayed true to his original aspirations, advocating for the concept of open-source experience and committing to intergenerational mentorship. In 2020, Chen Sicheng participated in the "Decade-long Devotion to Films - BJIFF 10th Anniversary Forum," where he, along with other esteemed filmmakers, discussed the challenges and opportunities of film-making in the new era. In 2023, Lost in the Stars, a film produced by Chen Sicheng, was shortlisted for the “Tiantan Award” main competition at the 13th Beijing International Film Festival and earned the highest rating in the festival's Media Catalogue from professional media. Additionally, he attended the “Film Power Forum on International Cooperation - Cultural Exchange with Films”, where he shared his experiences and reflections on the overseas production of commercial genre films.
A Still from Lost in the Stars
As one of the core sections of the Beijing International Film Festival, project pitches are not merely about selecting outstanding projects - it serves as a vital nexus connecting cultural heritage, industrial logic, and the spirit of the times. With Chen Sicheng joining as the Jury President, his involvement will undoubtedly enhance the effectiveness of the BJIFF project pitches in identifying works that balance commercial potential with artistic and cultural value. His leadership will facilitate the selection and nurturing of emerging filmmakers, paving the way for project incubation and implementation, thereby fostering the inheritance and continuity of Chinese cinema.