3. The Beijing International Film Festival
The annual Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), as well as its Tiantan Awards, has always had the ambition to be the best in the film industry and has since become a huge communications platform for Chinese and world filmmakers. The founders of the festival, which was originally called the Beijing International Film Season, initially wanted to build a new and influential cultural window into China's capital, without a focus on its artistic vision. But the festival evolved very quickly, it changed its name and set up a competition section. With the full support of the China Film Administration and the Beijing municipal government as well as other national departments and resources, it soon became a film festival gala event. The BJIFF hosted grand opening and closing ceremonies, invited A-list movie stars, screened hundreds of art house films, classics and high-profile blockbusters, and presented an annual film extravaganza to its scores of fans.
In terms of its forum and summit, ticketing, and theater coordination, the BJIFF has now become much more professional and well-organized. But as it enters its 10th anniversary next year, it still needs to be more creative and find its own unique position and direction. The BJIFF also needs to work on face its new challenges, enlarge its influence and push forward the development of the Chinese film industry. There's still much to expect in this festival.