This article was written by Ms. K, a passionate fan of Beijing Film Panorama.

Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) is always approaching in spring with blossoms and the participating cinemas of this year's BJIFF are revealed in the rush of screening lists and schedules. In the middle and late April, countless film fans will be shuttling and taking seats in the 26 screening cinemas illuminated by the projector lights and impressed with unforgettable moments. 

Every year, there are many new fans who rush for the screening schedules and there are also some new cinemas to be selected for the film panorama. We have collected the information about all the cinemas as usual, including the general introduction, transportation nearby, food and beverage, etc., to present a detailed map for you with a preliminary concept of the time and space when you are scheduling and purchasing tickets. 

This article consists of two parts. In the first part, we will introduce: 1) The cinema changes and highlights of the BJIFF; 2) The introduction of the "cinema cluster" and the tour of participating cinemas Part 1.

Those who have been paying attention to the box office should know that Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) used to be the box office champion of single cinema in China. After being closed for renovation, it has returned to the top during the Spring Festival this year. As a former core cinema in the southwest of the city, Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) is now also returning to the BJIFF, greatly benefiting the residents of the neighborhood.　

It doesn't really matter if you live far away or Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) is slightly away from the subway entrance, since you can stay inside for a whole day, not to mention how good the commercial support of Wanda Plaza is. There are five participating cinemas in Wukesong this time, including Dolby Hall with up to 600 seats and four medium halls with over 250 seats. The screening list of all films may be arranged and one cinema can provide five choices for you. 

Located next to the Datunlu East Station of the Line 5/15, RIJDOJ Cinema has always been one of the preferred choices for northern residents to watch IMAX films, and this year it will join the list of the BJIFF for the first time. In addition to the 505-seat IMAX Hall, a 400-seat Dolby panoramic sound effect hall will also join the film panorama. 

And adjacent to RIJDOJ Cinema, only 2 subway stations away with 1.9 kilometers, there is the China Film Cinema CINITY, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party. There will be 2 halls with a total of 700 seats to participate in the screening schedule; in Anli Road between them is located the Beijing Theatre with a capacity of 900 seats. All the three cinemas with only two or three kilometers apart can provide a total of 2,500 seats to form an iron triangle in the northern part of the central axis. 

Many fans have gradually developed the habit of watching blockbusters in special effects halls, and it is true that they can get a more perfect watching experience in high-quality halls. Among the 45 cinemas of this year's BJIFF, about 18 cinemas are IMAX, Dolby Cinema, CINITY Cinema, China Giant Screen or equipped with LED screens, accounting for one-third of the total. 

Some "premium halls" are also included, such as the Hall 1 in Museum of the Chinese Communist Party, the flagship of China Film Cinema CINITY, and the Hall 4 equipped with CINITY LED; Jinyuan Injia International Cinema whose scale and quality are always superior; Poly International Cinema (Tian’anmen) is also a top CINITY cinema; as for IMAX, China National Film Museum with the first-generation laser IMAX, Emperor Cinemas and Universal Cinema with the second-generation laser IMAX, are all included; two renovated and built Dolby Cinemas, Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) and Palace Cinema, are also on the list of the participating cinemas. 

According to viewing habits and shift experiences of film fans, the cinemas for Beijing Film Panorama can be roughly divided into "6 clusters". Some are connected by the same subway line although they are not closely related; while some are not included in the same “cluster”, but it is more convenient to be accessed (e.g., Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi and Emperor Cinemas).

From China Film Archive to the North Third Ring Road: China Film Archive, Shenying International Cinema, New Colourful Clouds Cinema, Geological Hall Theatre, UME International Cineplex (Huaxing) and Injia International Cinema.

Golden Triangle of the Northern Central Axis: China Film Cinema CINITY, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party, RIJDOJ Cinema, Beijing Theater 

Along Line 1: Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong), The Capital Cinema (Xidan), Emperor Cinemas, Wanda CBD, Palace Cinema, Universal CityWalk Cinema; and Poly International Cinema (Tian'anmen), which is "not along the line".　

Along Line 6: Inside-out Cinema, Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi, Jackie Chan Cinema (Ciyun Temple), Lumiere Pavilions (IMAX) LongforChangying Paradise Walk Shopping Center, The Capital Cinema (Urban Sub-Central Shop); Broadway Cinematheque, which is “not along the line”. 

Suburban Cinemas: China National Film Museum, Huairou Wanda Plaza

Cinemas outside Beijing: Golden Palm International Cinema (Xiong'an), The Capital Cinema (Tianjin Store China Giant Screen)

　China Film Archive, Shenying International Cinema, New Colourful Clouds Cinema, Geological Hall Theatre, UME International Cineplex (Huaxing), Injia International Cinema 

　　

On the map, these cinemas are laid out in a “corner” structure by being roughly intersected from New Colourful Clouds Cinema to be extended westward along the North Third Ring Road and southward along Xinjiekouwai Street, in which Shenying International Cinema is embedded inside. If the layout continues to be extended southward, The Capital Cinema (Xidan) may also be included.

　　

Address: No. 3 Xiaoxitian Wenhuiyuan Road. 

Nearby subway stations: Jishuitan Station, Exit A and B, Line 2 / Line 19 

Nearby Bus Stations: Xiaoxitian Station; Zhiqiangbeiyuan (only Special Line 168).　 

Participating Halls: Hall 1 (621 Seats), Hall 2 (85 Seats)　

Nearby transfer cinemas: New Colourful Clouds Cinema (bus recommended), Shenying International Cinema (bicycle recommended) 

Nearby dining recommendations: within 1km of Xiaoxitian is a desert for dining and you can only choose to take McDonald's, beef patties or some other hot foods such as rice with meat and vegetables; however, within 1.5km of Xiaoxitian is a paradise for dining with a number of restaurants available in Maples International Center, Xinjiekou and Xueyuannan Road. 

Every time when I make the cinema introduction, China Film Archive in Xiaoxitian is always the first one to be mentioned. After all, as the " main venue", it always ranks the top during the BJIFF in terms of the number and quality of the films scheduled, the attendance of filmmakers and the number of salons held. Even when other cinemas are not "in service”, China Film Archive will also be "open for audiences". The seats are comfortable, the rows are wide enough, and there are basically no dead corners so that the audience can enjoy all the highlights and core events of the BIJFF. However, we will not talk about the take-away food and beverage here since they are not allowed in the cinema. On the one hand, the beverage in cups are not allowed inside, and on the other hand, the bottled beverages sold in the shop of China Film Archive are very cost-effective compared to those in other cinemas. 

*Seats in Hall 1 of China Film Archive are laid out by single and double numbers, small numbers are in the center while the single numbers are on the left side facing the screen.  

　　

After years of complaints from the film fans, New Colourful Clouds Cinema has almost got rid of the bad name of "black screen", the brightness of the laser hall has been greatly improved. Sitting in the giant screen hall with 650 seats, the first impression is big, and the second impression is very big! There are big spaces between rows which are wide enough to ride a bicycle, and the tall will never be afraid of not being capable of extending their legs. There's also a big drop between rows, so that the short can watch the screen more easily. Those sitting in the first five rows may feel their necks tired, so I personally recommend the 6~9 rows so that it will never seem to be mini for the screening with subtitles. If you choose two or three rows further, you seem to be climbing up three floors. The quality of film scheduling at New Colourful Clouds Cinema is quite good and you can consider to be linked with the China Film Archive, and moreover, it’s easier to grab the tickets. 。

*Seats in Giant Screen Hall of New Colourful Clouds Cinema are laid out by single and double numbers, small numbers are in the center while the single numbers are on the left side facing the screen.

　　

Although it’s not close to the subway station (but already under construction), Shenying International Cinema can be regarded as a "friend of Xiaoxitian" by the veteran audiences in terms of the quality and effect of screening or the comfort of the hall. In addition to the cinema and barber shop inside, there are basically restaurants. You can find ALittle Tea, Yonghe King a little bit north to the Jingguo Commercial Building and a McDonald's if you walk westward, many choices are available for you. 

　　

UME International Cineplex (Huaxing) has always focused on the students in the west, and it is also one of the old IMAX cinemas in Beijing with convenient transportation. In previous years, it only arranged the screening in an IMAX hall and a small hall, but now it has an IMAX hall with a China giant screen hall, the two largest halls in the cinema. It is located right in the middle between Injia International Cinema and New Colourful Clouds Cinema, with many convenient shuttle buses, so it’s worth considering. 

　　

Jinyuan Injia International Cinema should be one of the most crowded cinemas in the northwest of the city, and the CINITY Hall is also known as one of the best CINITY cinema halls in Beijing with very good screening effects. The first row is a little away from the screen, so the audience needn’t raise their heads to watch the film. The first few rows have a slightly smaller drop, but from the 9th row there’s significant drop compared to the front row, while the last row is arranged on a higher step as a separate row (either side of the projector window shown on the photo). In addition to the good screening conditions, the food and beverage supply is also very satisfactory, that is, all the food and beverage within a 1.5km radius of the top of this floor. If many toilets with paper are considered an advantage, it should also be added to be mentioned as well.

　　

Geological Hall Theatre, joined in the BJIFF in 2021, is relatively big and quite close to the China Film Archive. It also has films scheduled from the early stage of the festival, so you can consider it together with China Film Archive. Since it used to be a theater stage, the first four rows bring the feeling of a "pool" and you need to look up to watch the screen. The entrance is at the end of the back rows, and the audience on the back rows may be affected by the light from the curtains drawn by the latecomers.

China Film Cinema, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party, RIJDOJ Cinema, Beijing Theater

　　

China Film Cinema, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party, RIJDOJ Cinema and Beijing Theater are spread out in a near equilateral triangle out of the North 4th Ring Road and between Lines 8 and 5 with very convenient transportation. Line 8 and Line 5, the two central "longitudinal lines" provide great convenient transfer to other cinemas, such as the China Film Cinema, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party can be accessed to the Poly International Cinema (Tian’anmen) through Line 8. Although the cinema of China Science and Technology Museum has withdrawn from the "group chat" this year, the participation of RIJDOJ Cinema offers more possibilities for film scheduling.

　　

This cinema, newly opened in the summer of 2021, is a newcomer in Beijing with four CINITY halls. Hall 1, which is considered as the "flagship representative" of the CINITY halls, will be included in the participating cinemas this time. Hall 4, although not so big in scale, is also very developed with the 16-meter-wide CINITY LED screen supporting 4K 120 frames developed by CFGBARCO. The hall was put into service in last August with very excellent screening effect. China Film Cinema, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party is one of the three most frequently chosen cinemas for major premieres, and the two halls participating in Beijing Film Panorama are regarded as two of the best CINITY halls in China.

　　

Although RIJDOJ Cinema adopts IMAX digital xenon projection equipment, it is considered one of the top digital IMAX cinemas in Beijing. The seats are comfortable, the screen is huge, and the overall watching experience is not inferior to some new but small IMAX theaters that adopt the third-generation laser XT. The other hall is the 400-seat one with Dolby panoramic sound effect, and it can provide very good watching experience. However, most surprisingly, only the cinema is in service on the whole floor and you must turn to the small shop or another two stalls on the same floor for some basic supplies. It's worth mentioning that it’s very close to Exit A of subway Line 5 and you must reserve a few extra minutes if you choose to go there through Line 15. 

　　

This is a theater, so the screen is in the stage. With some speakers and other structures on both sides of the stage, some seats may be blocked, which may be a bit "difficult" for the tall and short audiences to choose. However, many popular films will be scheduled here, and they may be the ones with quick sold-outs. Some traditional films with a relaxed atmosphere, such as Casablanca screened last year, are quite good to be enjoyed at the Beijing Theater.

　BJIFF "Cinema Cluster" and the Tour of Participating Cinemas Part 2.

Tips on Film Scheduling and Cinema Selection

　　

　　

　　

　　　BJIFF "Cinema Cluster" and the Tour of Participating Cinemas Part 2

　　Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong), The Capital Cinema (Xidan), Emperor Cinemas, Wanda CBD, Palace Cinema, Universal CityWalk Cinema; and Poly International Cinema (Tian'anmen), which is "not along the line".

Starting from Wukesong in the west to Universal CityWalk Cinema at the end of Batong Line, there are various cinemas along Line 1 across the entire city of Beijing. I've grouped them together in a cluster here to introduce them more as a series way. Among them are Emperor Cinemas, Palace Cinema and Wanda CBD, which are very close to each other. On the contrary, Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) and Universal CityWalk Cinema are respectively located on the east and west ends, and the transfer time is enough to enjoy a whole film. Line 6, which is almost parallel to Line 1, also has many choices available. In addition, Line 1 has many interchange stations for different lines, so you can transfer to another cinema cluster within minutes.

　　

Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) will be the one with most participating halls and the largest total number of seats at this year's BJIFF. It is also most probably one of the cinemas with the largest number of film scheduling. If all the five halls are opened for service, there are even five choices for the audience in the same cinema during the same period, so it deserves the nickname of a small "film palace" in the southwest of Beijing. The Dolby Cinema with close to 600 seats will bring ahigh-quality sound and image effects, and the remaining four halls can also contain 250~300 people with naturally good screening effects. It goes without saying that the surrounding supporting facilities can satisfy all your needs for dining in the Wanda Plaza, and bookstores like Fangsuo can help you spend your spare time. It's worth reminding that if you choose to go out from the Wukesong subway station, you’d better come out of Exit B on the ground level and walk north along the middle of the West Fourth Ring Road (or find a bike), and don't walk through HUAXI LIVE unless you have enough time and you are going to grab some food. 

　　

The Capital Cinema (Xidan) is a relatively old cinema. Hall 9 has the first LED screen in Beijing and it is so bright that the watching experience seems like that of a giant TV. It is close to the intersection of Line 1 and Line 4, the traffic is also extremely convenient. Traveling through Line 4 to the north, one can reach International Cineplex (Huaxing). If you take Bus No. 88 or No. 22, you can also transfer to China Film Archive, although there may be traffic jams close to Xidan. Compared with traffic jams, the biggest trouble may be that it is hard to wait for the elevator. Let's put it this way, if you go from Geological Hall Theatre to Xidan, I think 20 minutes is enough, of which 8 minutes of bicycling and 12 minutes of going upstairs.

　　

Hall 8 is the largest hall in the cinema. After its own PolyMAX, it now follows the trend to join in the CINITY. The only drawback is that you need to go down to the B2 floor first, and then walk a while to the B1 floor before entering the cinema. Although it’s not along the Line 1, it’s actually not far away from Tian’anmen East and Tian’anmen West. Many foods are available here but you need to avoid the rush hour of the tourists. The southern extension of Line 8 gives more choices to transfer to Poly. For example, you can go straight to the China Film Cinema, Museum of the Chinese Communist Party to the north, or you can choose to take Line 2, which is a little away, or take Line 8 to get there. The nearest subway entrance is Exit I or E, which connects to Line 8. If you want to take Line 2, it will be faster to take Exit B or C from the ground than underground passage. 

▍Emperor Cinemas 

　　

When it comes to which tickets are the hardest to grab/easy to buy, Emperor Cinemas should be included in the list. Located near the Second Ring Road and the intersection of Lines 1 and 2, the second-generation Laser IMAX has comfortable seats and moderate spaces between rows. Except for the fact that you need to raise your head a little at the front row, there’s nothing to be complained. It is certainly one of the top cinemas in Beijing. Although there are not many restaurants in the building, the Twin Towers to the east and the Scitech Plaza to the west have recently been reopened for investment, providing more dining options. If you go out from Yonganli Station, it is recommended to choose Exit A2 to enter the Twin Towers. If you have enough time, you can enjoy foods and drinks, or order in advance and pick up the food there. It is more convenient to walk out of the south gate of the Twin Towers and walk into the Emperor Cinemas. 

　　

Palace Cinema was renovated at the end of last year, and now it has returned as a Dolby Cinema, adding new options for film fans around China World Trade Center. It is the latest Dolby Cinema in Beijing, but the hall of 206 seats is incomparably small among the other Dolby Cinemas. 

　　

The Wanda Cinema CBD is an old friend of the BJIFF. In addition to the IMAX hall, there is also a prime hall that focuses on high-end experience, and a Samsung LED hall. They are the three best halls in the cinema. Together with the Palace Cinema and Emperor Cinemas, the three cinemas near China World Trade Center can provide two IMAX halls, one Dolby hall and one LED hall. Exit G closest to Wanda at Guomao Station is connected to Line 10. It takes a long time to walk to Line 1. Those from Line 1 are recommended to get out at Dawanglu Station.

　　

It sits in the southeast corner of the city like an enclave, but the effect of IMAX Hall is great. After all, this is the place where Nolan was received. The screen size and sound effects are slightly better than that at the Emperor Cinemas. You need to go through the security check to enter the cinema, but you do not need to buy the scenic spot ticket or show your ID card. There is a slightly crowded at the security check between 9:00AM and 11:00AM when the scenic spot just opens. There are many restaurants on CityWalk, but the prices are not cheap.

Along Line 6 

　　Inside-Out Cinema, Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi, Jackie Chan Cinema (Ciyun Temple), Lumiere Pavilions LongforChangying Paradise Walk Shopping Center, The Capital Cinema (Urban Sub-Center) and Broadway Cinematheque which is not along Line 6. 

The cinemas along Line 6 are also slightly different from those along Line 1 -- they lack a few close "group friends", for instance, Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi and its “brother”, Lumiere Pavilions LongforChangying Paradise Walk Shopping Center, are both along Line 6, but there are still 7 stops apart. The "distant relative" is not as convenient as the "neighbor" of Emperor Cinemas. Although the Broadway Cinematheque is located along Line 2 and Line 17, it is included in this area this time and the nearest cinema should be Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi. 

　　

As a pioneer venue for daily film festivals and art film screenings in Beijing, Broadway is also favored by the fans in Beijing. It is worth mentioning that the row numbers at Broadway are alphabetically arranged, and the viewing angles starting from Row 4 are more comfortable. Hall 1 with 196 seats is also a holy place for various filmmakers to meet the audience and give lectures during the screening. There is also the Kubrick Bookstore in the park, which is also a holy place for film fans.

The biggest change this year should be the opening of the station subway Zuojiazhuang, providing the Broadway Cinematheque with very convenient subway transportation. Although only the northern section is currently open for service and the audience need to pass through Taiyanggong Station for transfer, it still provides some new options: transfer to Guomao or Injia (Changchunqiao Station) of Line 10 via Taiyanggong Station, or change to Line 19 at Mudanyuan Station to New Colourful Clouds Cinema/China Film Archive, or get off at Zhichunlu Station and ride bicycle to UME International Cineplex (Huaxing). Some days later, if the south extension of Line 17 goes smoothly and Emperor Cinema Sanlitun reopens, we may have an “art cinema link” along Line 17 that runs through Broadway, Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi, Emperor Cinemas Sanlitun and Emperor Cinema Center.  

　　

The single halls at Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi, which is located at Parkview Green Fangcaodi, are not big and each hall has over a hundred seats. However, it is well-known for its seat comfort and projection quality. Because the cinema chain brand has always a certain degree of artistry, it’s easy to get some niche but high-quality films to be scheduled.

　　

　　

LongforChangying Paradise Walk Shopping Center is located at Changying Station. The shopping center consists of two zones in the east and west. The cinema is located at the 5F of the east zone, the easternmost area. After getting off the subway, you need to go up 5 floors and walk to the far end, which also takes some time. Like the aforesaid Lumiere Pavilions Fangcaodi, the service quality and equipment here are quite good. The size of single hall LongforChangying Paradise Walk Shopping Center is larger than that of Fangcaodi. Although its hall is also a digital xenon-illuminated IMAX, the brightness and screen size are the “top” among many digital IMAX halls in Beijing.

▍Inside-Out Cinema 

　　

Although it’s called the Inside-Out Cinema, it is not located in the middle at all. Because the screenings are always "unconventional", some films such as live dramas, musicals, and art films are often scheduled for screening there. It has also become one of the vanguards of literary and artistic life in Beijing. There are also bookstores in the park that specialize in art, such as Thornback Bookstore. There are three participating halls in the Inside-Out Cinema, where some films with rare screenings and unique artistic qualities are scheduled. It is also a little closer to Jackie Chan Cinema (Wukesong) and Injia International Cinema, which are both in the west, and it is more convenient to take a taxi. Also, you can take bus from Xipingzhuang Station at the entrance of the park directly to Xinjiekou Huokou Station near Xiaoxitian, which may take one hour of bus riding. 

　　

　Suburban Cinema

　　China National Film Museum, Huairou Wanda Plaza 

The cinemas mentioned in the final parts are basically difficult to be considered together with other cinemas in the city, so I will only make a brief introduction here.

▍China National Film Museum 

　　

　　

　　Golden Palm International Cinema (Xiong'an), The Capital Cinema (Tianjin Store China Giant Screen)

　　

　　

　　

　　

　　

　Comments from Movie Fans

　　

　　

　　

　　

In case of any changes to the film lineup, please refer to the actual official screening schedule. Stay tuned for more exciting content about the Beijing Film Panorama.