BJIFF brings world cinema closer to Beijing

The 9th BJIFF

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　　Since its inception, the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) has grown at amazing speed, attracting tens of thousands of attendees. This ancient city of Beijing has evolved into one of the destinations for film organizations and professionals from all over the world to meet and communicate with each other. Up to this day, visiting Beijing and participating in the BJIFF every April has been placed on the agenda of many filmmakers.

　　Mr. William Feng, Head of Greater China and Vice President, MPA Asia Pacific, who spent his college time at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has a deep affection for Beijing. As the head and chief representative of Greater China at Motion Picture Association of America (MPA), Feng has now been a powerful change agent for the operations of MPA member companies in China.

　　Starting from 2014, the MPA has been closely cooperating with the BJIFF. In such a context, the MPA Workshop was initiated and has now been one of the crowning highlights at the annual BJIFF, where William Feng can be found as well every year. The event invites senior executives from major Hollywood studios to discuss the development experience and current hotspots of the global film industry, imparting expertise and experience to young filmmakers.

　　As the Chinese film market enjoys an increasing presence in the international filmdom, the MPA continues to pay higher attention to the Asia Pacific film market. On February 1st, 2016, William Feng was promoted to Head of Greater China and Vice President, MPA Asia Pacific, and remains to be based in Beijing. This contributes to his closer connection with the BJIFF.

　　The MPA Workshop has built a bridge of communication and cooperation between the Chinese and American film industries. “The MPA Workshop is created to capitalize on the resource network of the MPA so as to provide young Chinese filmmakers with an opportunity to directly connect with international film masters and learn from them at home,” mentioned Feng.

　　Besides, William Feng, on behalf of the MPA, works closely with the BJIFF Beijing Film Market in Project Pitches. The winners of the “MPA Award” and “MPA Special Award for Asia Pacific Cooperation” will be selected out of the finalists for Project Pitches, and are offered the opportunity to study and join film related exchange activities in Hollywood and Australia, respectively.

　　The BJIFF has been continuously making wide strides in all spectrums in recent years, and the MPA will continue to further cooperation with the BJIFF to build a practical and helpful bridge for young filmmakers to reach out to the world, William Feng said.

　　Mr. Jim He, Chairman of the China-New Zealand Film Festival in New Zealand, is actually a native-born Beijinger. In 1989, Jim left Beijing and immigrated to New Zealand with his wife as he was pursuing his master degree in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Auckland.

　　Though he worked for an established pharmaceutical company right after graduation, Jim He has long been committed to promoting film and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and China, and has advanced the establishment and development of a number of important cultural events in New Zealand. On June 3rd, 2013, he was awarded the “New Zealand Order of Merit” by the New Zealand Government.

　　Every time Jim returns to Beijing due to the BJIFF, he always feels very excited. “Beijing is my hometown. Since my participation in the inaugural BJIFF, what I saw every year I returned from New Zealand is immense changes in Beijing.”

　　At the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival in 2012, Jim He was awarded the honorary title of “Outstanding Overseas Promoter of Chinese Film”, presented by Tong Gang, the then director general of the China Film Administration of the National Radio and Television Administration (formerly State Administration of Radio, Film and Television).

　　“I experienced the process of increasing growth, thriving and glory of the BJIFF at first hand,” sighed Jim He with emotion when talking about his experience at the BJIFF. “After the end of every edition of BJIFF, I always have a strong feeling of reluctance. Every time I summarized the notes and documents collected during the festival days, I would have more thoughts on my fruitful results gained at the BJIFF.”

　　Mr. K.P. Pathak, Chairperson of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) and Chairperson of the Nepal Film & Cultural Academy (NFCA), is an internationally renowned film director and producer. His films and documentaries have received ringing endorsements at various film festivals worldwide.

　　Pathak, who is considered the heart and soul of the Nepalese Cinema Movement, has been focusing on the promotion of real, creative films, not just commercial films. He is also a travel enthusiast and has put more effort into the integration of the film industry with the tourism industry in Nepal for mutual promotion.

　　In April 2018, Pathak visited Beijing and attended the BJIFF for the first time: “I’m very surprised by this event because its size is much larger than I expected.”

　　Through the BJIFF as a powerful platform, Pathak is capable to present the Nepalese film industry and the NIFF to filmmakers and film organizations from all over the world. “I had a very enjoyable week at the BJIFF and will definitely come back in 2019. I hope to make the acquaintance of new friends in Beijing and continue to push forward the relationships between the Nepalese and Chinese film industries.”

　　In addition, the BJIFF also has a most brilliant link to countless filmmakers, where thousands of stories continue to be staged to advance the success of the opening of the 9th BJIFF.