As spring brings renewal to all living things, the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) also returns with the silver screen as a medium to convey cinematic dreams. The fusion of multiple creative modes arises in response to the impact of evolving media, as the film industry constantly confronts new and greater challenges.
To the Chinese, pine and cypress stand out as symbols of enduring greenness, signifying eternal freshness. The Temple of Heaven holds the hopes for a prosperous harvest and shines as a beacon of civilization. Through the poster, we extend our heartfelt wishes to films, wishing for their everlasting vigor.
Official Main Poster for the 14th BJIFF
Starting from September 1, 2023, the 14th BJIFF called for submissions from the entire society for poster designs, spanning a period of three months. The BJIFF Organizing Committee received a total of 300 entries, and after evaluation by 21 expert representatives, this official poster was ultimately selected.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Chinese ink wash painting style, the poster is delicately composed with a few precise brushstrokes. Within the graceful flow of lines and the interplay of light and dark tones of ink, a free and expressive artistic form comes to life on the paper. Upon a distant view, the pattern appears to be a bonsai of pine and cypress trees, while also reminiscent of the everlasting Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests standing at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Beyond being a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Beijing, the Temple of Heaven embodies the spiritual emblem of the Tiantan Award for the BJIFF. The fusion of the architectural features of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven with the imagery of pine and cypress bonsai perfectly aligns with the BJIFF's core values of "Beauty in Variety, Harmony in Diversity", while also expressing our sincere blessings for the enduring success of the festival.
Upon careful observation, beyond the grandeur of the painting style, there lie profoundly meaningful details waiting to be discovered. The bonsai's pedestal incorporates cinematic film elements, with the soil inside the pot mimicking majestic rolling mountains. The branches growing on either side resemble guest-greeting pines, inviting friends from all corners of the globe to gather in Beijing. The pine needles fluttering in the breeze are painted as the windmill logo of the BJIFF, with a crimson seal bearing the inscription "中国北京" (Beijing, China).
Symbolizing the festival's roots in the fertile soil of Chinese civilization, these elements of the meticulous designs are nestled among the picturesque landscapes of China and thriving in the historic and culturally rich city of Beijing. The growth of the bonsai pine and cypress trees is imbued with the nourishment of traditional Chinese culture, endowing the festival with a unique Chinese charm and distinctive Beijing characteristics. In the same vein, the BJIFF, akin to an enduring evergreen tree, converges with all members of the global film community in the same world – where mountains meet oceans and wind and moon share the heavens, which signifies that cinema is a universal language for all humanity. At the BJIFF, the integration and exchange of Chinese and foreign film cultures take place, and filmmakers are encouraged to be enlightened by films and united as one.
As we revel in the delightful spring breeze of Beijing, listening to the murmurs of the pines and witnessing the blooming flowers along the path, let us join in this grand gathering of filmmakers.
