The entire world's attention is attracted towards the French beach in early summer on the occasion of the 77th Festival de Cannes.

The BJIFF Organizing Committee successfully hosted the "2024 Beijing Night--Beijing International Film Festival Reception" in Cannes on the evening of May 17 local time.

Open and inclusive, the BJIFF has been fully committed to inviting professionals from around the world to have multi-level exchanges, draw on leading experience, and developing a signature event of Chinese cinema and Beijing culture based on its foothold.

More than 300 guests attended the reception, including relevant department heads of the China Film Co-production Corporation, Yu Dong, founder and Chairman of the Bona Film Group Limited, renowned director Jia Zhangke, actor Zhou You, director Liang Ming and actress Lv Xingchen, representatives of film festivals in Mar del Plata, Cairo, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Tallinn, Busan, Toronto, Zurich, and Geneva, and copyright buyers, film agents and heads of relevant entities from Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Greece, Germany, Finland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Brazil and Iran among other countries and regions at invitation, as well as international prestigious cinema press and media, such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Director Jia Zhangke

It’s typical of Chinese narrative to "have voice precede appearance". The promotional video of the 14th BJIFF was replayed at the reception to show the highlights of the 2024 edition in the most intuitive way.

Hao Jie, Deputy Director of the BJIFF Organizing Committee Office, shared in her speech the development of the BJIFF since its founding in 2011 and major outcomes of the 14th BJIFF with the Chinese and foreign guests present.

Hao Jie, Deputy Director of the BJIFF Organizing Committee Office

She emphasized that the BJIFF has established itself as a key platform for exchanges between Chinese and global cinemas after 14 years of development and transformation. The 14th edition was just concluded grandly last month. More than 200 activities were held during the 9-day event, attracting filmmakers, exhibitors and media from 123 countries and regions worldwide. The international, professional and influential event was brought to next level, offering the world a cinematic feast in celebration of cultural diversity and common prosperity.

Yu Dong, founder and Chairman of the Bona Film Group Limited, addressed the reception, explained that the BJIFF builds a crucial platform for Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges and allows great many outstanding Chinese and foreign films to be seen, and cordially invited guests present to attend the BJIFF next year.

Yu Dong, founder and Chairman of the Bona Film Group Limited

Director Jia Zhangke and actor Zhou You of the film Caught by the Tides, shortlisted in Competition of the 77 Festival de Cannes, also attended the reception. Being a filmmaker living in Beijing for long, Jia Zhangke stated that he's proud of Beijing for having its own film festival, and the city is home to a rich variety of filmmaking entities, huge young film fandom, and far-reaching movie-going cultural vibe. What's more, the Chinese audience are open-minded and inclusive, welcoming films from different cultural backgrounds. The BJIFF has developed itself into a major stage for Chinese and foreign cultural display and exchanges.

Director Jia Zhangke and actor Zhou You of the film Caught by the Tides

It's particularly worth mentioning that director Jia Zhangke is nominated for the Festival de Cannes for the 7th time in six years. The nominee Caught by the Tides started filming in 2001 and finished in 2023. It embodies more than two decades of continuous refinement, and epitomizes the times. Hopefully, the film will win awards in Cannes and be released to domestic audience soon. Director Jia Zhangke promoted Black Dog by director Guan Hu. Actor Zhou You, who appears in both films, indicated that he's honored to be part of those two films by the directors, and will strive harder with the honor of nomination for the Festival de Cannes.

Director Jia Zhangke and actor Zhou You of the film Caught by the Tides

Director Liang Ming and leading actress Lv Xingchen, winner of the Best Film in the 14th BJIFF Forward Future Section, pitched the film at the reception. According to Liang Ming, the film contains a string of moments. There were many touching moments on set. It's a film dedicated to everyone's life. Lv Xingchen shared her experience of playing a girl born in Northeastern China as one from Southern China, and expressed she'd love to play various types of roles with different experiences.

Director Liang Ming and leading actress Lv Xingchen

The BJIFF pays special attention to young directors. Young director Jiang Jiachen and Zeng Jingxiong, previous participants at the BJIFF Project Pitches, told their stories with the BJIFF, and presented their new projects. We look forward to more young filmmakers coming out of the BJIFF bringing their films to competition sections at the Festival de Cannes, and more importantly, back home to the BJIFF.

Young director Jiang Jiachen

The successful hosting of the reception in Cannes showcased the BJIFF to international community. In addition to proactively going global, the BJIFF showed the world its vitality and passion as a young film festival. The robust vitality pushes the cinema forward, transforms filmmaking concepts, and continuously sets new trends. Riding along the tides, the BJIFF connects with the world and envisions its prospects at the Festival de Cannes, where cinematic masterpieces are gathered.

Once again, the BJIFF extended invitation to those that love films to visit Beijing next April when it's most beautiful to enjoy the scenic view and profound culture of the ancient capital city.

See you at the spring rendezvous with cinema!