The Forward Future Section of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) will take place from April 18 to 24, 2025.

For the purposes of “discovering the new filmmakers around the globe in China's view and encouraging originals on the new wave of films in the world”, the Forward Future Section strives to highlight the cultural connotations of films in various forms and boost the exchange and communication among young filmmakers all over the world. All the first or second feature films are welcomed regardless of genre, type or style.

The Forward Future Section has consistently championed emerging directors worldwide, discovering and nurturing innovative young filmmakers with distinctive styles. Here, you can see cutting-edge, excellent, and daringly original films while experiencing the “thoughts, ideas, and concerns” of young filmmakers from all over the world. They are filled with passion and dynamism, injecting the fresh energy of a new generation into the world of cinema.

This year's 15 selected films for the Forward Future Section stood out from over 500 submissions across nearly 90 countries. The 15 new cinematic works observe the world through diverse perspectives and connect with audiences through authentic artistic creation. For these emerging filmmakers, the Forward Future Section marks their first step into the film industry, grounded in the present while looking firmly toward the future.

The 15th BJIFF Forward Future Section specially invited Hungarian director and screenwriter Béla Tarr to serve as the jury president, and Chinese actress Jin Chen, Japanese director, screenwriter and actor Sabu, Chinese actor Song Yang, and Swiss director and screenwriter Cyril Schäublin as jury members.

Five distinguished film artists from different countries will select seven honorary titles from the 15 selected films, including “Most Popular Feature Picture”, “Most Popular Director”, “Most Popular Screenplay”, “Most Popular Actress”, “Most Popular Actor”, “Most Popular Artistic Contribution”, and “Jury Special Mention”. The selection results will be announced at the 15th BJIFF Forward Future Honorary Award Ceremony on April 24, 2025.

At the same time, the 15 films shortlisted for this year's Forward Future Section will be screened during the 15th BJIFF. Audiences are welcome to stay tuned for ticket release updates. The 15th BJIFF Forward Future Section looks forward to sharing this cinematic feast of youthful creativity and visual artistry with you all!