In 2025, the Visual Effects Section of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) opened a global call for submissions of exceptional visual special effects films. We cordially invite all creative filmmakers who are passionate about the convergence of film visual effects and image art to join us on this extraordinary journey through film visual effects and cinematic art. Together, we will redefine the future of visual effects artistry and technology in film!

The establishment of this section and the film awards aims to recognize individuals and teams who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in film visual effects creation and research between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The event aims to raise awareness of the scope of work and outstanding achievements in film visual effects design and production, fostering the industry's long-term development. The final review jury meeting was held at the Beijing Film Academy on April 14, where the final winners were selected and announced.

The Chairman of the Jury was Huo Tingxiao, Vice Chairman of the China Film Association and President of the China Film Art Direction Academy. The Vice Chairman of the Jury was Liu Xiaoqing, Professor of the School of Art at Beijing Film Academy and Director of the Visual Effects Professional Committee of China Film Art Direction Academy. Other members included: Tong Lei, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee of Beijing Film Academy, Vice President of Beijing Film Academy, professor, and vice chairman of the China Association of Recording Engineers; Li Wei, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee of Beijing Film Academy, Vice President of Beijing Film Academy, professor, Director of the Department of Cinematography at Beijing Film Academy, and Vice President of the Chinese Society of Cinematographers; Brian Connor, Oscar award winner and visual effects supervisor for Dune; Zhang Huijun, former President of Beijing Film Academy, member of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, member of the National Master of Fine Arts Professional Degree Education Steering Committee of the Ministry of Education, Vice Chairman of Beijing Film and Television Artists Association, and council member of China Film Association; Chen Jun, Director of the Department of Film and TV Technology at Beijing Film Academy and Director of the Advanced Imaging Professional Committee of China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; Wang Honghai, Honorary President of the China Film Art Direction Academy and professor of the Beijing Film Academy; Zhao Fei, Vice President of Chinese Society of Cinematographers; Yin Li, Director of the Film and Television Base Professional Committee of China Film Association and a famous Director; Cao Jiuping, Vice President of China Film Art Direction Academy; Shi Jiandu, Vice President of China Film Art Direction Academy; Mu Zhifei, Director of the Digital Art Professional Committee of China Film Art Direction Academy; Guo Jianquan, Deputy Director of the Visual Effects Professional Committee of China Film Art Direction Academy and Visual Effects Director at China Film Group Corporation; Ding Yanlai, CEO of Orange VFX and Visual Effects Supervisor for The Wandering Earth.

Professor Liu Xiaoqing, Director of the Film Special Effects Teaching and Research Office at the Fine Arts School, Beijing Film Academy, delivered a compelling presentation titled Current State and Talent Development in China's Film VFX Industry. He reviewed the journey of Chinese film visual effects - from early beginnings to current prosperity - and analyzed the present state of the industry. While acknowledging significant achievements, he also pointed out ongoing challenges such as talent shortages and insufficient technological innovation. Liu Xiaoqing stressed that talent cultivation remains the core driving force behind sustainable industry growth, calling for stronger collaboration between universities and enterprises to establish an integrated model of teaching, research, and production.

During the event, a retrospective exhibition of classic Chinese films featuring remarkable special effects was also held. One by one, iconic works that marked milestones in the development of Chinese film VFX were showcased, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the evolution of Chinese cinema - from its early explorations to mature breakthroughs.

798·751 Art District Continues the Celebration: A Shared Feast of Visual Effects Excellence

On April 23, the “Wonderland of Dreams” Visual Effects Section Forum of the BJIFF concluded successfully at the 798·751 Art District. This forum was not only one of the key thematic sections of the 15th BJIFF but also a significant part of the “Art Lights the Screen” series of events co-hosted by 798 Art District and BJIFF. The event was hosted by the Office of BJIFF Organizing Committee, Beijing Film Academy, and the China Film Art Direction Academy, with support from the Visual Effects Professional Committee of the China Film Art Direction Academy, the Fine Arts School at Beijing Film Academy, and Beijing 798 Culture Technology Co., Ltd. The forum centered on the theme of “Film Technology + Art”, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as film visual effects, virtual production, and AI. It presented a pioneering exploration of future technologies and creative collisions within the film industry. The forum focused on cutting-edge technologies in film visual effects creation and invited many industry experts to discuss technological development and artistic innovation in the fields of film visual effects design and production, film virtual production, and AI.

At the “Wonderland of Dreams” Visual Effects Forum, Qiao Le, a visual effects Director, shared his experience working on the VFX for the Detective Chinatown series and Pegasus. He specifically highlighted the integration of Virtual Photography techniques and practical effects in Pegasus 2, demonstrating the immense potential of VFX technology to enhance both efficiency and quality in film production. Professor Quan Rongzhe emphasized that the development of digital technology has freed filmmakers' imaginations, allowing them to create more visually stunning films. These advancements in visual effects have brought audiences even more breathtaking cinematic experiences.

Ceremony Celebrates Excellence and Launches Outdoor Film Festival

On April 24, the “Wonderland of Dreams” section reached its grand finale - the 15th BJIFF Best Visual Effects Film Awards Ceremony & Outdoor Film Festival Launch, held at the Power Square of the 798·751 Art District. The Visual Effects Section of the 15th BJIFF aims to recognize outstanding achievements in film visual effects creation and research between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The initiative seeks to highlight the work and accomplishments of professionals and teams in the field, raising public awareness and promoting continuous innovation and development within the industry.

At the ceremony, awards were presented in three thematic categories: Historical/Period, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, and Contemporary/Realistic.

During the outdoor screening section, Huang Tingting, Marketing Director of Huaxia Leyard (Beijing) Film Technology Co., Ltd., accepted the honor from Yu Jianhong on behalf of her team. The award recognized their groundbreaking contributions in LED virtual photography and 8K display technologies. In the context where multidisciplinary fields intersect with AI, participants aimed to explore life directions and market choices, joining hands with filmmakers to unlock the infinite possibilities of a coexisting virtual and real world.

Outdoor Film Festival Kicks Off - A Cinematic Feast

Following the awards ceremony, the outdoor film festival officially began at the Power Square in the 798·751 Art District. During the Opening Ceremony, nine representatives from academia, industry, and the technology sector - Yu Jianhong, Tong Lei, Liu Xiaoqing, Xu Yi, Zhang Sheng, Guo Jianquan, Xie Lin, Yan Mingdan, and Jiang Xu - jointly performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “798·751 Power Square Outdoor Film Festival”.

This film festival features two major thematic sections: “20 Years of Chinese Film Visual Effects - A Journey Through VFX Production” and “Best Works by Directors with Box Office Over One Billion RMB”. It will offer audiences a 12-day audiovisual feast. Utilizing the Huaxia Leyard Huan the LED cinema screen, the festival showcases films in 4K ultra-high definition, 48 frames per second high frame rate, and 300-nit ultra-brightness, allowing viewers to experience the evolution and charm of cinematic visual effects against the backdrop of an industrial heritage site.

Painting a New Blueprint for the VFX Industry with Light and Shadow

The “Wonderland of Dreams” section not only summarizes the achievements of the industry in 2024 but also serves as a solemn vision for the next twenty years of China's film visual effects industry. Throughout the event, guests actively exchanged ideas, engaged in in-depth discussions, and shared their experience and insights, building consensus for the future development of the film VFX sector. Here, minds meet, ideas ignite, and inspiration flows freely - shaping a powerful and promising vision for the future of cinematic visual effects.