▌E-Sports Celebration for Filmmakers in full swing

The E-Sports Celebration for Filmmakers kicked off on the morning of April 21 with the Film Company Tournament. Six teams, including Poly Entertainment, BJIFF, ASB, Yisheng Media, Sparkle Roll, and Happiness Store, appeared on stage, and played round-robin tournament in A and B groups. After intense and fierce competition, Poly Entertainment won the tournament, and Yisheng Media and ASB ranked second and third respectively. Those three winning teams competed in the valley against a star team made up of Lou Yixiao, Ambassador of the Game-Based Animated Films Section, Huang Junjie, Star Promoter, Lelush, Caelan Moriarty, Wang Ruixin, Zhang Sile, as well as professional players EDGM.Ning Zhi and EDGM.Ming. Artists, stars and professional players presented an intensive e-sports event with superior gaming skills and excellent tactical cooperation.

Two lively and exciting e-sports competitions further integrated collaboration between film and e-sports, which not only demonstrated diverse appeal of e-sports, but also offered new perspective and cast light on in-depth integration between industries.

▌Star-studded Red Carpet witnessed glorious fusion of film and gaming

Following the conclusion of the star tournament, the exciting Red Carpet was held. Artists, including Lou Yixiao, Ambassador of the Game-Based Animated Films Section, Ayungg-a, Dream Promoter, Huang Junjie, Star Promoter, Lelush, Caelan Moriarty, Wang Ruixin, Yang Yunran, and Annie Han Dai, representatives from the Film Company Tournament, jury and casts & crews of shortlisted entries for the Selection of Animated Short Films, and other guests were present and interacting with media and audience.

▌Eventful Awards Ceremony facilitated efficient growth of the industry in the long run

The Awards Ceremony was convened in the wake of the Red Carpet. Zhang Su, member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau, addressed the ceremony. As he indicated, the Game-Based Animated Films Section will continue to play its role of platform to gather new forces, and attract more outstanding entries from home and abroad together with international young animators; an invaluable platform for cross-cultural exchanges and creativity incentivization will be built by enhancing its professional level, and increasing divisions of the competition, like short film and feature film in the animation industry so as to create opportunities for Chinese animators that forge ahead bravely, tell Chinese stories and spread China’s voice, and further reinforce our cultural confidence.

The 14th BJIFF Film Carnival was also officially kicked off at the Awards Ceremony. As a major section of the BJIFF, the Film Carnival is running from April 21 to May 4 under the theme of “Following the Footsteps of Films, Enjoying Life in Huairou”. It’s offering more than 40 activities, such as journeys of “Viewing the Best Films, Rejoicing in Cinematic Dreams, Encountering in Youthful Days, Enjoying Amazing Competitions, and Visiting the Natural Scenery”, in “8+N” venues across Huairou District, allowing citizens to “experience film and television culture, enjoy the life in Huairou, and spend their weekends at the Film Town”.

In addition, promotion of new animations was conducted at the Awards Ceremony. Teasers of Nie Xiaoqian, I Am What I Am II, Umbrella Girl, Legend of the Kitchen God, Hot-blooded Football Boy, Little Soldier Zhang Ga and Flower were released, arousing the audience’s high anticipation for the booming animation market in 2024.

With gentle night breeze, the Cocktail Party-Night of ZHAI YAO of the 14th BJIFF Game-Based Animated Films Section was hosted as scheduled. Elites in the industry were gathered to exchange ideas about the prospects of the industry, and seek cooperation. Guests printed their hands, signifying trust, emotional cohesion as well as firm support and great expectations of the industry. Diverse cultures of cinema, gaming and animation were converged at the night. Guests took this opportunity to enhance their mutual understanding and jointly promote the industry to new heights.