Inaugural International Digital Cinema Technology Forum, BJIFF--For Pursuit and Innovation of High-New Technology

　　Luan Guozhi, Secretary of the Party Committee of China Research Institute of Film Science & Technology and Deputy Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), disclosed that this year’s BJIFF features a new theme forum event--International Digital Cinema Technology Forum. The BJIFF aligns with the national sci-tech innovation-driven spirit to help Chinese film improve technical standards and apply high-tech means into film creation. “It seems as if film is technically and artistically enabled to be on a fast track to help Chinese film better take off,” said Luan.

　　With the theme of “The Innovation of Science & Technology Driven Cinema Quality Upgrade”, International Digital Cinema Technology Forum is scheduled to run in Beijing International Hotel on April 19, 2017, which comprises Keynote as well as Interaction & Exchange, according to Luan Guozhi. It will invite experts and scholars from the film industry at home and abroad to deliver keynotes as guests, covering topics such as technical standards of digital films, future development and trends of technology, industry chain layout, and applications of new technology in film making, and explore the significance of high-tech innovation for the quality improvement and upgrading of film.

　　Luan believes that BJIFF has been a well-established brand and formed a virtuous circle--backed by all sides based on the support of the government. Besides, BJIFF will provide a full range of services for the film industry, explore the industry development, and constantly improve professional level, which represents an important support for the continuous development of the film festival. 

　　In his view, BJIFF boasts greater geographical advantages than other domestic film festivals. “First, as the hub of Chinese film industry, Beijing houses a large number of production companies that produce about half of the domestic films every year; second, the booming of the film market in Beijing makes it among the top five at the box office numbers in China all the time; third, a multitude of film talents gather in Beijing and Beijing Film Academy is a prestigious university in the filmdom; fourth, the international metropolis boasts the advantages of international promotion and connection and well-established infrastructures, contributing to the very high level of BJIFF that has attracted intensive attention from the industry and developed a global reputation.”

　　Moreover, Luan also thinks that BJIFF has its own Chinese characteristics: “The film festival is held not only for the purpose of industry players, but also for a broader range of film fans. For instance, the Out-of-Competition Section of the film festival receives widespread attention every year, and Film Carnival featuring a very large scale sparks a flood of interest from a legion of film buffs.” By contrast, BJIFF is a more pro-people film festival than foreign Category A ones that focus more on competition instead of mass participation on a larger scale.  

　　According to Luan Guozhi, in its 7th year, BJIFF has stepped into maturity, during which it satisfies all needs, while being increasingly professional. For instance, it sets up a specialized service platform for exhibitors, offers various solutions such as project roadshow, release of new films, strategic release, forums & dialogues, salon, and cocktail party, addresses the needs of Chinese and foreign film institutions for brand, business and project promotion, leverages big data of ticket sales, film and TV technology, and virtual reality technology, and provides great support for and encourages the promotion of new trends and technologies reflecting the development of the film industry. As a result, the running of the inaugural International Digital Cinema Technology Forum is a further embodiment of the vision of BJIFF for the pursuit and innovation of high-new technology, making the film festival a grand event for filmmakers from all parts of the world.