The light of video art bursts out in thinking, and is shining on the future of the film market. Since its establishment in 2021, the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) has been further upgraded, and joined hands with filmmakers, media and film critics to explore the diverse charm of the Tiantan Award Official Selection in a professional, inclusive and open attitude. While promoting excellent Chinese and overseas films, it is gradually becoming the viewing orientation of the audience and the focus of the film market as a “lighthouse”. 

This year, the 15 films shortlisted for the Tiantan Award were screened in participating cinemas in Beijing from April 23 to 29, and the much-anticipated Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue also completed the ratings of these films, reflecting that the world cinema development is thriving.

This year, Shu Huan, Wang Chuanjun and Ni Hongjie were invited to act as referees for the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue, respectively recommending excellent films that moved them the most from their own professional perspectives. “A good film will make you feel like you’ve experienced a special life,” said screenwriter Shu Huan. He focused on the emotional experience brought by the film art, and sincerely recommended Sisters and Men of Deeds. “Both viewing and post-screening exchanges of this year's BJIFF make me feel the creative passion and sincere emotion of filmmakers,” he added. Based on the judgment standard of “film is an exploration of life and social meaning”, actor Wang Chuanjun recommended The Shadowless Tower, Totem and The Punishment, three films shortlisted for the Tiantan Award that focus on people's spiritual world. “Film viewing in the past few days is the constant collision of ideas as well as the exchange of souls,” he said. “Films give us the chance to experience different lives,” said actress Ni Hongjie, which is her biggest feeling after participating in the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue of this year's BJIFF. She described her experience in the BJIFF as a journey, and recommended Sisters, Time Out and The Lulus. 

　　

　　Shu Huan, Wang Chuanjun and Ni Hongjie, referees for the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue of 13th BJIFF

Besides, this year's Media Catalogue also invited media professionals and film critics from 11 media outlets, including China Movie News, Yizhan Weekly of Beijing Daily, Beijing News Entertainment, World Screen, Phoenix New Media Ltd., DeepFocus, Pocket Film, 1905.com, Lu Zhiyu, Falanxi Jiaopian, and Wusi Dianying, to conduct professional ratings of the Tiantan Award Official Selection in a more professional and inclusive attitude and with stricter criteria. It aimed to collaborate with authoritative platforms and gather professional forces to promote excellent Chinese and overseas films, and inject “new momentum” into the diversified development of the film market at home and abroad. 

　　

　　Film recommendations by Shu Huan, Wang Chuanjun and Ni Hongjie, referees for the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue

Based on the comprehensive ratings, Lost in the Stars, a domestic crime/suspense film, received positive reviews from most media outlets and film critics, with an average score of 4. With the tight plot and relaxing rhythm, it was highly praised by China Movie News, reporting that the concept of “a Buddha or a demon in a blink” leads us to endless aftertastes. Sisters, a Latvian-Italian co-production, and The Lulus, a French film, both received an average score of 3.9, tied for the second place in the Tiantan Award Official Selection Media Catalogue of this year's BJIFF. For Sisters, Falanxi Jiaopian commented that the heroine vividly depicts a girl's pursuit and longing for her mother with her dedicate performance. The Shadowless Tower, a Chinese film, Totem, a film jointly produced by Mexico, Denmark and France, Scrapper, a British film, and Until Branches Bend, a Canadian film, also received high praise from various media and film critics, with an average score of 3.8. Phoenix New Media Ltd. spoke highly of the unique artistic expression of The Shadowless Tower, “The frustration of people's lives and the poetry of the city are artfully blended”. Yizhan Weekly of Beijing Daily reviewed Totem from the emotional structure and film language, “Its capture of emotion is delicate and touching”.