BEIJING, CHINA, June 19, 2025 — The Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) debuted in Australia with a promotional event on June 13, held during the 72nd Sydney International Film Festival. This event introduced Chinese cinema to a new audience in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia boasts a distinctive landscape and has contributed significantly to international cinema with films like “Memoir of a Snail,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Moulin Rouge.” The Sydney International Film Festival, a key Australian film event, gathers films and creators globally, showcasing the city’s cultural appeal.

Attendees included Bian Jian, Deputy Secretary-General of the BJIFF Organizing Committee; Wang Shuyu, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Sydney; Liu Dong, Director of the China Cultural Centre and China National Tourist Office in Sydney; and Wang Yi, Executive Deputy Director of the Integrated Media Center of Beijing Radio and Television Station. David White, Sound Designer and AMPAS Jury member of the 14th BJIFF, Long Fei, director and Best Screenplay winner for “G for Gap”, and Yue Hong, Best Supporting Actress at the 14th BJIFF, also attended. Guests from the Sydney International Film Festival, Australian film organizations, and media representatives participated in the event.

Liu Dong, Director of the China Cultural Centre and China National Tourist Office in Sydney, noted that the BJIFF has promoted the exchange of films worldwide and fostered cooperation between Chinese films and the global industry, including Australia. He stated that the event signifies Sino-Australian cultural exchange and marks a new phase for film cooperation.

Bian Jian introduced the 15th BJIFF, emphasizing its expanding international reach as a platform for global filmmakers. This year’s Tiantan Award received 1,794 submissions from 103 countries and regions, with foreign films comprising nearly 90%. The festival included over 200 events, such as markets, screenings, and forums. Online engagement was significant, with Weibo topics generating over 3.5 billion views and Douyin videos garnering over 3.2 billion views. The BJIFF invites Australian filmmakers and audiences to engage with the festival and visit Beijing.

Long Fei and Yue Hong, recipients of Tiantan Awards for “G for Gap”, shared their connection to the BJIFF. Yue Hong mentioned the increasing diversity of Chinese cinema on the global stage, with the BJIFF facilitating cultural exchange. Long Fei added that the Tiantan Award Panorama allows audiences to experience Chinese philosophy through “G for Gap”.

The Tiantan Award Panorama, part of the “Never-ending Beijing Film Festival” campaign, aims to bring Chinese films to global cinemas by showcasing shortlisted and award-winning titles. From June 14 to 19, it presented six Chinese-language films—”Lost in the Stars”, “Song of Spring”, “The Shadowless Tower”, “Beyond the Skies”, “Strangers When We Meet”, and “G for Gap”—in Sydney.

David White, Jury Member of the 14th BJIFF, reflected on his experience and the potential for collaboration between Australia and China in the film industry. He stressed the importance of compelling storytelling in a challenging global film market, stating that good content will resonate with audiences and achieve success.

The BJIFF remains dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between Chinese and international cinema, aiming to collaborate with filmmakers worldwide to create impactful stories.

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SOURCE: Beijing International Film Festival