The 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) opened on Thursday.

Through this year's BJIFF, the organizers hope to build a bridge between the Chinese and international film industries, showcase diverse global film cultures, facilitate efficient connections within the industry, and promote exchanges among different civilizations.

Guided by the China Film Administration and co-hosted by China Media Group and the Beijing Municipal People's Government, this year's BJIFF is themed around the convergence of two of China's most prestigious film accolades -- the Tiantan Award, which serves as the official competition section of the BJIFF, and the Hundred Flowers Award, the oldest major award in the Chinese film industry.

For the first time ever, both film festivals will take place in Beijing in the same year, marking a historic moment for Chinese cinema.

At the heart of the BJIFF, this year's Tiantan Award received 1,826 film submissions from 139 countries and regions, including 1,607 international ones. The short film section received 1,212 submissions.

Sixteen films have been shortlisted for the Tiantan Award at this year's BJIFF, including four Chinese films - "All the Good Eyes," "Crossing a Dawn," "Being Toward Death," "Embers" - and 12 international movies including "At Work" and "Isabel."

Running from April 16 to 25, this year's BJIFF will feature a wide range of film-related activities across the city.

For the first time, the festival introduced "live zones" in several major business districts, allowing fans to experience the glamor of the event in real time.

Throughout the ten-day period, a variety of special activities will also be held, blending film with cuisine, tourism, and star-studded fan engagements, offering fans an immersive cinematic experience.
"This year, we have placed great emphasis on the quality and outcomes of international cultural exchange activities. We also launched the 'Qingzhou Plan' for the first time this year, focusing primarily on small and medium-budget films to help them reach international audiences. At the same time, we will continue to tell China's stories and Beijing's stories well, building a major platform for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign film professionals," said Hao Jie, a member of the organizing committee of BJIFF.

The panorama section of this year's BJIFF also kicked off on Thursday.

This section will feature approximately 260 outstanding films from around the world, with around 800 screenings scheduled at commercial cinemas, theaters, and performance venues across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.