Panorama
All Sectors Have Been Loaded! Let's Embark on a New Film Journey Now!
Film is the frames in dynamic motion and the whispers of soul trembling.
With audiences, films gain the power to touch hearts directly. The panorama sections serve as the rainbow bridge connecting ideas and stages at film festival, and as the bond between art and the public. "Watching the finest films in Beijing during spring" remains our timeless vow etched into the sprocket holes of film.
The 15th Beijing International Film Festival's “Beijing Film Panorama” will take place as scheduled this April.
First, the highly anticipated official selection of Tiantan Award and all entries for the “Forward Future” section will be publicly screened, allowing audiences to be the first to enjoy all selected films in the competition sections.
Starting from the 120th anniversary of China film's birth, the “120 Years of Chinese Cinema” systematically traces the evolutionary journey of national film industry from technological innovation to cultural consciousness. This year, Daguanlou Cinema, one of Beijing's earliest film screening venues, has joined the cinema lineup. Daguanlou Cinema will screen 10 Peking Opera films, inviting audiences to revisit the birthplace of China film and trace its glorious history.
2025 marks the 130th anniversary of world film, so BJIFF launches “Cinema in Self-Portrait” program. Adopting the curatorial concept of "film documenting its own history", it will present masterpieces like The Purple Rose of Cairo and Shirin that embody cinephile spirit, chronicle film history, and envision film's future.
On the significant 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War victory, the “Cinema and Peace” theme program will screen reflective masterpieces on war such as Shoah, The Thin Red Line, and Downfall. Spanning centuries, it aims to ring the world peace bell forged through film.
The “BJIFF 15th Anniversary Tiantan Award Collection” theme reviews the memorable moments from BJIFF's 15-year journey through dual perspectives of archival documents and Tiantan Award winning works, showcasing abundant achievements of Tiantan Award.
The “Filmmaker in Focus” section of this year's Beijing Film Panorama includes Andrea Arnold, a leading figure in contemporary British film, Japanese emerging director Kaori Oda, and Zhu Xin, a rising young director representing China's “Hangzhou New Wave”. The latest works from these three filmmakers will be screened at BJIFF.
The “Retrospective” section will present works from three heavyweight filmmakers, including Robert Altman's centennial, director of legendary Czech films Jirí Menzel, and a premiere commemorative retrospective themed around film movements. On the 30th anniversary of the “Dogma 95” movement, this section will take audiences through the pioneering moments of film. Many films in this section will be screened in newly restored 4K versions.
The “Homage-Restoration” section highlights cutting-edge film restoration techniques worldwide, featuring classics like North by Northwest and The Meetings of Anna in new 4K restorations. Meanwhile, this year's "Homage" section specifically focuses on film creations from the “Global South”, screening rare classics such as the Iranian film The Sealed Soil and the African cinematic masterpiece Sambizanga.
Still from the Film North by Northwest
Still from the Film The Meetings of Anna
The “Homage-Commemoration” section will feature films of historical significance, including Die for Loving and Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp, alongside a special thematic program “In Memory of Andrei Tarkovsky” to honor the cinematic master.
In addition to classic masterpieces, this year's BJIFF has curated sections showcasing the latest global hit films from diverse perspectives.
The newly established “Oasis” section aims to inspire creative exchanges between domestic and overseas filmmakers through screenings of genre-defying new works, fostering innovation in local film production and market expansion.
The “Dimension” section, with its avant-garde perspective, will present films like Phantosmia that explore cinematic aesthetics.
Still from the Film Phantosmia
The “Women's Voice” section will feature compelling female themed films such as When Fall Is Coming and Hard Truths.
Still from the Film Hard Truths
The “Reality Rocks” section will showcase outstanding documentaries from China and abroad, including Afternoons of Solitude, Here Children Do Not Play Together, and Ms. Hu's Garden.
Still from the Film Tardes De Soledad
The “Animation” section will screen new animated features like The Hourglass Sanatorium and classics such as Lilo & Stitch. Notably, the TV animation Black Cat Detective, which accompanied generations of Chinese audiences, will also be screened.
Still from the Film The Hourglass Sanatorium
The “Screen/Off” section will explore the diverse future of movie theaters by presenting a variety of content including the TV series In the Shadows and the live performance Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert.
The “Vision” section will feature overseas award-winning films and popular new releases like The Return and Super Happy Forever. It will also include special programs such as “Switzerland Film Week”, “Japan Film Week”, “Australia Film Week”, and “B&R Asian Vision” to showcase the latest cinematic works from around the world.
Still from the Film The Return
Still from the Film Super Happy Forever
The "Midnight Thrill" section under the “Carnival” will present global new genre films like The Old Woman with the Knife and classics such as Se7en and Cronos. This section will also feature themes like the “Universal Classic Monsters and Thrillers Series” to delight cinephiles.
Still from the Film Cronos
Still from the Film Se7en
This year's “Beijing Film Panorama” will continue its collaboration with the Beijing International Sports Film Week, screening sports-themed films like Eephus and Julie Keeps Quiet to deliver unforgettable viewing experiences.
Additionally, the forward-looking “XR Section”, dedicated to immersive image, will be upgraded to the “Boundless ∞ Immersive Section”, inviting audiences to explore the possibilities of future film. Mr. Huang Bo, an excellent actor and director who has made outstanding contributions to the China film, as well as a cutting-edge and crossover artist, will be the guest curator of this section.
Guest Curator of the Boundless ∞ Immersive Section: Huang Bo
Compared to previous years, this year sees significant increases in both the number of works and exhibition spaces. Over 40 works under the theme “Galaxy of Film” will be screened, spanning diverse technological formats such as VR, AR, MR, large-scale VR environments, triple screens, panoramic screens, and immersive interactive installations, further enriching and expanding perception and understanding of future image and technology. Audiences will not only enjoy outstanding global XR works like Ito Meikyū (winner of the 2024 Venice Immersive Grand Prize) and Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom (the world's first VR animated feature), but also enjoy immersive image works by artists Xu Bing, Fei Jun, and Huang Bo, alongside college students' works created around the theme of “120th Anniversary of China Film”.
Still from the Film Ito Meikyū
Still from the Film Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom
List of partner cinemas of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival “Beijing Film Panorama”. There are 33 cinemas and one immersive cinema. The list of cinemas is as follows:
A wondrous journey of film is about to begin! The 15th Beijing International Film Festival's “Beijing Film Panorama” section will unveil the charm of cinematic art through fresh perspectives, accompanying audiences through an extraordinary cinematic experience.