I. Project Pitches Overview
The Project Pitches of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) Beijing Film Market is dedicated to discovering filmmakers with creative potential and identifying outstanding Chinese-language genre films. It aims to build a comprehensive incubation platform integrating planning, investment, production, marketing, and distribution for high-quality film projects. The Project Pitches comprise the script projects unit, the Work-in-Progress (WIP) projects unit and the animation project unit. It convenes a jury of film professionals, experts, and scholars from across the entire film industry chain. Through a process including project selection, professional training, roadshow pitching, business matching, and international promotion, the initiative creates a collaborative space for financing and services required at various stages of film production. Here, the shortlisted film projects will fully interface with key elements of the film industry chain, ultimately incubating exceptional cinematic works with strong market potential.
This year, the BJIFF Project Pitches has, for the first time, introduced an animation project unit. With the goal of providing a more professional platform to inspire animation creation, the initiative aims to discover and nurture outstanding talents in the field of animated films, injecting new vitality into the diversified development of Chinese-language cinema. We will also maintain our collaborations with the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Beijing International Sports Film Week, establishing specific tracks to further diversify film subject matter and content.
The 16th BJIFF Project Pitches will continue to facilitate applications for the Young Filmmaker Special Support Fund. Winning projects can be recommended by the BJIFF Organizing Committee to the Beijing Culture Guiding Fund. This aims to help projects quickly connect with the market and facilitate the transformation from concept to screen.
At the same time, the BJIFF Project Pitches will continue to develop the Next Frame Space as a dedicated gathering place for young film talents to learn, exchange, showcase, and negotiate.
II. Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Criteria for Script Projects:
1. Project Scope: Chinese-language film projects.
2. The feature film project must have a shoot-ready complete script. Applicants are required to provide a logline (within 100 words), a story synopsis (within 5,000 words), and the full script.
3. The film must not have commenced shooting and should not have secured full financing.
4. Projects that have not participated in pitching events at other film festivals will be given priority.
5. Projects that can provide previous film and television works will be given priority.
6. The film project must possess the potential to be released theatrically in China and demonstrate both commercial and artistic value.
Eligibility Criteria for WIP Projects:
1. Project Scope: Chinese-language film projects.
2. The narrative feature film must have completed official project registration and obtained a Film Production Licence.
3. The feature film project must have a shoot-ready complete script. Applicants are required to provide a logline (within 100 words), a story synopsis (within 5,000 words), and the full script.
4. Principal photography must have commenced, but the film must not be fully completed. The project should be in the shooting or post-production stage and still require financing or partnerships for distribution and marketing.
5. The project must have a director, producer, and production company attached. The shooting start date must be no later than February 14, 2026.
6. A complete production budget, shooting schedule, and a comprehensive project proposal must be provided.
7. A film clip of approximately 15 minutes must be provided (via an accessible online link and password).
8. A development status overview (within 200 words) is required.
9. The film project must possess the potential to be released theatrically in China and demonstrate both commercial and artistic value.
Eligibility Criteria for Animation Projects:
1.Project Scope: Chinese-language film projects (both script-stage and WIP projects are eligible).
2. The feature film project must have a shoot-ready complete script. Applicants are required to provide a logline (within 100 words), a story synopsis (within 5,000 words), and the full script.
3. If the project is already in production, a film clip of approximately 15 minutes must be provided (via an accessible online link and password).
4. Projects that have not participated in pitching events at other film festivals will be given priority.
5. Projects that can provide previous film and television works will be given priority.
6. The film project must possess the potential to be released theatrically in China and demonstrate both commercial and artistic value.
Eligibility Criteria for the Beijing International Sports Film Week Sports Project Sub-unit:
1. Project Scope: Chinese-language sports genre film projects.
2. The feature film project must have a shoot-ready complete script. Applicants are required to provide a logline (within 100 words), a story synopsis (within 5,000 words), and the full script.
3. The film must not have commenced shooting and should not have secured full financing.
4. Projects that have not participated in pitching events at other film festivals will be given priority.
5. Projects that can provide previous film and television works will be given priority.
6. The film project must possess the potential to be released theatrically in China and demonstrate both commercial and artistic value.
III. Fee Schedule
| Script & Sports Projects | Early Bird Price November 27, 2025 to January 27, 2026 (24:00 UTC+8) |
Standard Price January 28, 2026 to February 10, 2026 (24:00 UTC+8) |
| WIP & Animation Projects | Early Bird Price November 27, 2025 to January 27, 2026 (24:00 UTC+8) |
Standard Price January 28, 2026 to February 14, 2026 (24:00 UTC+8) |
| ¥180 | ¥300 |
Fee Inclusions:
1. Eligibility for the submitted project to participate in the selection process of the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches.
2. Regardless of the project's final selection status, the applicants are entitled to attend any 3 salon events held at the Next Frame Space, subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
IV. Awards and Honors
The 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches will present a total of seven (7) awards:
The script project unit will ultimately select one Jury Special Recommendation Project, one Project with Greatest Commercial Potential, one Best Original Screenplay Project, and one Project with Greatest Development Potential.
The WIP project unit will ultimately select one Project with the Most Investment Value and one Most Innovative Production Team.
The animation project unit will ultimately select one Best Animation Project.
The Beijing International Sports Film Week Project Pitches unit will ultimately select 1 sports film project to receive the "Beijing International Sports Film Week · Sports Film Project Support Fund".
Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee will provide corresponding support and rewards to the honorary projects. All projects shortlisted for the final roadshow will be awarded the title of " Beijing International Film Festival Outstanding Project Pitches Project".
V. Selection Process
The BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department will select projects that meet the requirements outlined in these General Rules and have completed the payment process from those submitted via the official BJIFF website for entry into the selection process. The judging process consists of three rounds. The preliminary jury for initial review will select no fewer than 30 outstanding script projects and no fewer than 10 outstanding WIP projects to advance to the second round. The jury for second review at this stage will select 20 script projects to enter the project negotiation round. Among these, the top 10 script projects will be shortlisted for the final roadshow session and become eligible for the final awards. From the WIP project unit, 6 projects will be shortlisted for the final roadshow session, negotiations, and award eligibility. The animation project unit’s judging process consists of two rounds. The preliminary jury for initial review will shortlist five eligible animation projects to advance to the final round for the roadshow session, negotiations, and award eligibility. The selection process for the Beijing International Sports Film Week sports project sub-unit aligns with that of the script project unit. Information regarding the shortlisted projects will be published in the 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches Brochure and on the official website for promotional purposes. Representatives of shortlisted projects (a maximum of two per project) will be invited to participate in relevant training sessions organized by the BJIFF Beijing Film Market and to present their projects during the roadshow session. All shortlisted projects will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one business meetings with potential partners through the official BJIFF website's booking system.
VI. Participation Procedure
All applicants must ensure that their submitted projects comply with the General Rules for Project Pitches of the Beijing International Film Festival Beijing Film Market and must submit complete project materials via the official BJIFF website at http://www.bjiff.com. Applications will not be processed if any materials are omitted or found to be inaccurate.
The submission deadline for script and sports projects for the 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches is 24:00 (Beijing Time), February 10, 2026, and the submission deadline for WIP and animation projects is 24:00 (Beijing Time), February 14, 2026. Failure to complete the payment by the respective deadlines will be considered a voluntary withdrawal of the application. Please note that all application fees are non-refundable once paid. The BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department will evaluate all submitted projects and ultimately determine the final list of shortlisted projects.
Once the shortlisted projects are announced, the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department will contact the project teams using the "Applicant/Contact Person" information provided in the application form. Projects that fail to confirm their participation by the specified deadline will be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn, and will be replaced by the next project on the waiting list. (Please ensure that a valid email address and phone number are provided in the application form).
Representatives of the shortlisted projects (a maximum of two per project) will be invited to participate in relevant activities of the 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market as "Industry Guests". The "Industry Guest" accreditation is valid solely for Beijing Film Market activities. Those wishing to participate in other events of the 16th BJIFF are advised to refer to the official BJIFF website at http://www.bjiff.com for relevant information.
Shortlisted project representatives are required to participate in activities uniformly arranged by the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department, including project roadshow training and rehearsals. Each project will be presented in its entirety by the project representatives, with a total duration of 15 minutes. This comprises a 10-minute project presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A session with the jury. Project teams must prepare their own presentation materials (formats limited to PPT or KEYNOTE; video materials are permitted but must be embedded within the presentation file). All presentation materials must be submitted in advance to the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department for unified review. The scheduling of the Project Pitches roadshow sessions and the provision of basic audio-visual facilities will be handled by the Organizing Committee.
Shortlisted project representatives must ensure the availability of two full days for one-on-one business meetings. All meetings will be scheduled in advance via the online reservation system. Should any remaining time slots be available, additional appointments may be arranged on-site through the staff of the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department.
VII. Legal Disclaimer
All projects for the Project Pitches must be submitted by the sole authorized representative who holds the legal rights to the project. The submitting party and this sole authorized representative are obligated to: ensure the project's originality and legality, and fully own all rights related to the project, including copyright; ensure that the submitted project and related information do not infringe upon any third-party rights; ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the submitted project and related information. Any legal and economic liabilities arising from the above reasons shall be borne solely by the Project Pitches project party. If such matters lead to any third-party disputes, the Project Pitches project party and its authorized representative shall resolve them independently and bear full responsibility. For any losses thereby caused to BJIFF Beijing Film Market and relevant parties, the Project Pitches project party shall bear full responsibility for compensation. Once a shortlisted project is completed, the Organizing Committee reserves the right to have the "Beijing International Film Festival/BJIFF" name or logo featured in the film's opening or closing credits. The specific attribution must be confirmed in advance in writing by the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department. Any documents, materials, and information submitted by the authorized representative of the shortlisted project, if containing confidential content, must be designated as such in writing to the BJIFF Beijing Film Market upon submission, along with an explanation; otherwise, they will be considered non-confidential. The BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department is eligible to use the Project Pitches project party's registration information, graphic and textual data of projects, specially offered materials and information for the following purposes, including but not limited to: publishing the materials and information in the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Publication (electronic version) and the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches Brochure (electronic version), and on the official BJIFF website; publishing on-site in the form of promotional materials at BJIFF Beijing Film Market; using the audio and video promotional materials of BJIFF and BJIFF Beijing Film Market. Project parties that receive honors should, schedule permitting, prioritize participation in BJIFF-related activities, such as screenings, awards ceremonies, opening and closing ceremonies, and red carpet events.
The BJIFF Beijing Film Market Department will exercise due diligence in handling registrants' information, and relevant staff will ensure the security of the submitted materials to prevent loss, leakage, or damage. Representatives of project pitches are solely responsible for the safekeeping, confidentiality, and information security of their own relevant materials.
All presentations and negotiation activities within the BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches are solely independent expressions of opinions by the respective parties. The presentations, statements, and negotiations made by any party during these activities do not represent the views of the BJIFF or its Beijing Film Market. Consequently, the BJIFF and its Beijing Film Market shall not be held liable for any related guarantees or assurances.
The BJIFF Organizing Committee reserves the final interpretation right to all the events of the 16th BJIFF Beijing Film Market Project Pitches.
VIII. Contact
Application Portal: http://www.bjiff.com
wipproject@bjiff.com
Project Pitches Inquiries: projectpitches@bjiff.com
wipproject@bjiff.com
Other Inquiries: filmmarket@bjiff.com
Contact Numbers: +86 15510010851
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