Artists Assemble, Cinema Sets Forth - Multi-Section Ambassador Line-up Announced for the 16th Beijing International Film Festival
As spring returns to the capital, cinema embarks on a new chapter. The 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) will take place from April 16 to 25, 2026. Today, the ambassador lineup for several key sections was unveiled. Veteran actor Ni Dahong will serve as Promotion Ambassador for Drama Section; Pan Binlong and Qiu Tian have been named promoters for media catalogue of the Tiantan Award, the festival’s Competition Section; Han Geng will act as ambassador for Chinese films in the Beijing Film Panorama Section; and Li Xueqin has been appointed as youth ambassador for the Forward Future. United by their shared passion for the art of film, the five artists will join filmmakers from around the world and audiences alike for this springtime celebration of cinema.
Ambassador Lineup for Multiple Sections of the 16th BJIFF
Renowned actor Ni Dahong has been appointed Promotion Ambassador for Drama Section of this year’s festival. A “Distinguished Artist” of the National Theatre of China and recipient of both the Plum Blossom Award and the 9th Wenhua Award, Ni has devoted decades to the performing arts and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. On screen, he has created a series of memorable roles, including the enigmatic Director Gao in Impasse and the stubborn yet deeply affectionate Chang Weijie in the critically acclaimed Love Never Ends. His performances in Wreaths at the Foot of the Mountain and The Message also remain widely praised. On the stage, Ni has demonstrated formidable artistic range in productions such as The Field of Life and Death and The Orphan of Zhao, earning recognition for his powerful yet controlled acting style.
Ni Dahong – Promotion Ambassador for Drama Section
Film and theatre share the same artistic roots. Drawing on his experience across both stage and screen, Ni will introduce audiences to the distinctive appeal of drama-based cinema, while encouraging greater attention to the creative dialogue between theatrical performance and the moving image. Through the interplay of stagecraft and cinematic language, the section aims to highlight the enduring expressive power of the performing arts.
For the festival’s Competition Section, the Tiantan Award, actor Pan Binlong and actress Qiu Tian will jointly serve as media catalogue promoters, offering their individual perspectives as they introduce the films selected for this year’s programme.
Pan Binlong - Promoter for Media Catalogue of the Tiantan Award
From theatre stage to film set, Pan Binlong has brought a wide range of vivid characters to life through his grounded and versatile performances. In A Cool Fish, he moved effortlessly between humour and emotional depth, lending the role a strong sense of authenticity. Known for combining comic timing with dramatic intensity, Pan has also supported emerging filmmakers, having taken part in the 11th BJIFF Project Pitches with Keep the Beat. In his role as media catalogue promoter, he will speak from a sincere and audience-focused perspective, championing works rooted in real life and rich in emotional resonance. Drawing on his strong connection with viewers and his deep understanding of performance, Pan will highlight films distinguished by warmth, conviction and artistic strength, helping outstanding Chinese productions reach a wider audience.
Qiu Tian - Promoter for Media Catalogue of the Tiantan Award
Qiu Tian is one of the most talked-about young actresses in recent years. Known for her distinctive screen presence and finely observed performances, she has demonstrated a level of artistic sensitivity beyond her years in films such as Reversed Destiny and Land of Broken Hearts. She previously appeared in Before Next Spring, a Tiantan Award nominee at the 11th BJIFF, where her natural and understated performance drew industry attention and marked her as one of the most promising talents of her generation. As a media catalogue promoter, Qiu Tian will bring a sharp cinematic instinct and the aesthetic perspective of a younger generation to spotlight films that deserve to be seen, discussed and remembered, sharing in her own way the stories on screen that speak most directly to the audience.
Han Geng - Ambassador for Chinese Films in the Beijing Film Panorama Section
Actor Han Geng will serve as ambassador for Chinese films in the Beijing Film Panorama Section at the 16th BFIFF. Over the past two decades, he has steadily evolved from pop idol to accomplished screen actor, with works such as So Young and the Ex-Files series marking his continued artistic growth. In this role, Han Geng will draw on his personal experience to present the diverse appeal of Chinese films, helping outstanding domestic productions reach wider audiences. Through his influence and industry insight, he will recommend Chinese films that combine artistic quality with commercial potential, supporting their journey onto a broader stage.
Li Xueqin - Forward Future Youth Promoter
In the Forward Future, the film Carefree Days, featuring Li Xueqin, stood out among numerous entries and was awarded the "Most Popular Feature Picture". This year, Li once again joins the BJIFF as Forward Future Youth Promoter. Known for her distinctive humour and candid, sincere style, she has shown remarkable creative vitality in films such as Take Off, Post Truth and YOLO, and was named "Most Popular Newcomer of the Year" at the College Student Film Festival.
In her new role, she will share with audiences works that carry raw creative energy and a forward-looking spirit, introducing bold and original films by emerging directors from around the world, and inviting viewers to witness, on the screen of the Forward Future, the first steps of voices that may shape the future of cinema.
For sixteen years, the festival has stayed true to its founding vision. The Beijing International Film Festival continues to build an open and inclusive platform for dialogue between Chinese and international cinema, bringing renewed vitality to the exchange between filmmakers across cultures. This spring, let us gather in Beijing alongside artists and audiences from around the world - to see the world through film, and to share in a celebration that belongs to cinema, and to all who love it.