On the evening of April 12th, 2019, the International Out-of-Competition Section Forward Future kicked off in the Standard Projection Hall of Beijing Film Academy. A multitude of industry players attended the Opening Ceremony, including Mr. Zhang Hong, Vice Chairman of the China Film Association (CFA), Mr. Rao Shuguang, President of the China Film Critics Association (CFCA), and Ms. Alin Tasciyan, a Turkish Filmmaker and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), and directors and members of the cast and crew of some films participating in the Out-of-Competition Section. Some guests came from Beijing Film Academy, including Prof. Xie Fei, a famous director and President of China Film Culture Institute; Vice Presidents Prof. Sun Lijun and Prof. Ni Yuehong; Mr. Zhang Jian, Deputy Secretary of Party Committee; Ms. Zhi Hongwei, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission; and Prof. Hou Keming, President of the China Children’s Film Association. 　　

　　Mr. Zhang Hong, Vice Chairman of the CFA, delivering a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Forward Future Section

　　Launched in 2014, the Forward Future Section is now going into its sixth year at the BJIFF. From April 12th to 18th, 2019, twelve films from different countries and regions will hit the cinema screens. Most of them are debut or second feature films produced by the directors, which open up a different cultural window to the Chinese audiences to witness the excellence of art pioneers.

　　These film were created in various countries and regions, including China, Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Serbia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Brazil, etc., featuring the strong capabilities and global outlook of young filmmakers. The types and subjects of the films cover feature, comedy, romance, adventure, war and documentary, and even the elements of opera, demonstrating the creativity of young filmmakers with diverse cultural connotations.

　　After its launch in early January 2019, a total of 311 entries were received at home and abroad, of which the films for Asian premiere accounted for 40%, a testament to the influence of the platform. As part of the BJIFF, the Forward Future Section has set up a bridge between artistic expression and self-expression in the minds of young directors from various countries, and has become a new forefront of galvanizing creative vitality. The 12 selected films are all in line with the purpose of “encouraging the spirit of innovation, capturing the future trends and spirit of international films, demonstrating rich and diverse cultural connotations of film art, and enhancing the exchanges and cooperation between youths in countries”. From the cultural core that is compliant with international standards and inclusive, “new forces” are tapped to help the future development of the film industry: new creation, new thinking, new form, and new youth.

　　The Forward Future Section proposes a new “mission” for young filmmakers and the development of the film industry. At the Opening Ceremony, Sun Lijun, Vice President of Beijing Film Academy, pointed out in his welcome speech that it is necessary to cultivate first-class film talents through multiple channels and strengthen cooperation among youths worldwide. Zhang Hong, Vice Chairman of the CFA, put forward the “responsibility and mission in addition to hope”, and the need to pay attention to cultural connotations and build cultural self-confidence. All this endows the Forward Future Section with remarkable significance.

　　Let young people broaden their international view and let the world see the capabilities of young people – this is the hope, responsibility and mission of the Forward Future Section. Thanks to constant efforts of young directors and the support from filmmakers, the Forward Future Section is gaining momentum, and thus brings hope to the future of the film industry.