Young Actors Zhou Yiran and Zhou You serve as Media Catalogue Referees for this year's Beijing International Film Festival
During major international film festivals, the Media Catalogue is often among the hottest topics of discussion for film enthusiasts. Reflecting the views of the media and film critics, the Media Catalogue offers a valuable complement to the official jury's verdicts - adding depth from both an artistic and market-oriented perspective.
Media Catalogue of Official Selection of Tiantan Award was first introduced in 2021. By bringing together scores and commentary from filmmakers, professional media, and critics, Media Catalogue has consistently provided in-depth insights and promotional support for the films in the Competition Section. Over the years, BJIFF Media Catalogue system has been continuously upgraded: in 2022, Media Catalogue Referees were introduced, and in 2024, a new panel of “Seasoned BJIFF Enthusiasts” was added. What began as a viewing guide has grown into a platform that combines cultural significance with industry influence.
Over the past four years, the Media Catalogue has gone beyond offering multi-dimensional viewing guides through in-depth reviews, filmmaker interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories - it has become a powerful amplifier of value for the films in the Competition Section. Take for example the Chinese crime thriller Lost in the Stars, which topped the 2023 Media Catalogue ratings with an average score of 4.0. The following year, the domestic family comedy G for Gap scored the same and ranked second. The strong buzz these films generated at the BJIFF helped pave the way for their successful theatrical releases.
This collaborative model - uniting filmmakers, professional media, and critics - has created an organic cycle of expert evaluation, industry-level promotion, and audience engagement. Not only does it transform festival momentum into long-term visibility for films, enabling broader reach and stronger market potential, but it also helps bridge the gap between critical discourse and audience perception. By combining critic scores with social media interaction, the Media Catalogue sparks public conversation and builds a dialogue between artistic value and popular taste.
Media Catalogue Referees of the Official Selection of Tiantan Award at the15th BJIFF
At the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, rising stars Zhou Yiran and Zhou You have been invited to serve as Media Catalogue Referees for the Official Selection of the Tiantan Award. With their deep understanding of performance and keen ability to connect with audiences, the two young actors bring fresh, diverse perspectives to the Media Catalogue - enhancing both its professional depth and the visibility and influence of the selected films.
Zhou Yiran, Media Catalogue Referee of the Official Selection of Tiantan Award
Zhou Yiran is known for her standout roles in Across the Furious Sea, Song of Life, and To the Wonder. She was honored with the Breakthrough Actress of the Year award at CMG's 3rd China TV Drama Annual Ceremony. Continuously pushing her artistic boundaries, Zhou Yiran has refined her craft across a wide range of genres. Her nuanced, effortlessly expressive performances vividly capture the vitality of youth and the emotional arc of transformation - demonstrating a remarkable ability to embody diverse characters with authenticity and precision.
Zhou You, Media Catalogue Referee of the Official Selection of Tiantan Award
Actor Zhou You received the Fei Mu Award for Best Actor at the 4th Pingyao International Film Festival for his role in Striding into the Wind. His notable performances include Caught by the Tides and Black Dog, which were selected for the Competition Section and Un Certain Regard at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, respectively. Bound in Heaven was featured in the Competition Section of the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival, while Girls on Wire was selected for the Competition Section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. With his solid acting foundation and remarkable ability to delve into character, Zhou brings complex emotions and inner conflicts vividly to life on screen. His performances have earned widespread recognition both within the industry and among general audiences.
Led by the two Media Catalogue Referees, the Media Catalogue for the Official Selection of Tiantan Award at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival brings together a recommendation panel made up of 13 prominent media outlets and film critics, including 1905.com, Beijing Daily·Art Post, Sir Movies, Leap Screen, Mtime, DeepFocus, Directube, Pocket Films, Roast Cinema, Crow Movies, French Film Roll, Movie Matters, and Muyi Movie.This collective will provide professional reviews and curated recommendations for all 15 selected films, blending industry expertise with audience perspectives. By building a content ecosystem that balances critical insight with widespread engagement, the Media Catalogue aims to amplify both the artistic merit and market potential of the films in Competition Section of Tiantan Award - bridging the gap between cinema as art and cinema as experience.
The year 2025 marks a remarkable convergence of milestones: the 130th anniversary of global cinema, the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema, and the 15th anniversary of the Beijing International Film Festival. Since its inception, BJIFF has been committed to connecting with the global film industry - bridging cultures, aligning with international standards, and offering a world-class platform for outstanding films from around the globe. The Media Catalogue is a tangible embodiment of that vision. It gives voice to filmmakers' creative reflections, channels the insights of industry media, and amplifies the passion and resonance of audiences. This year, the Media Catalogue for the Official Selection of Tiantan Award will continue to serve as a bridge - offering an inclusive space for dialogue among the 15 selected films from around the world and providing a professional, diverse, and international platform for their stories to be seen and heard. Let's turn our attention to this celebration of cinema - and look forward to the Media Catalogue shining a spotlight on more outstanding films and opening new channels of dialogue between stories and their audiences.