The 14th BJIFF was open on April 18 with various events and activities in full swing. The Xiong’an Future Video Festival, one of the “Everlasting BJIFF” series, jointly hosted by the Publicity and Information Administration, Xiong’an New Area Party Working Committee and Administrative Committee, and BJIFF Organizing Committee Office under the theme of “Cultural Inheritance · Video Future”, aim to empower sci-fi film industry in Xiong’an New Area, also known as the “Town of Science and Technology”, further synchronize cultural development in Beijing and Xiong’an New Area, facilitate deep integration of technology and cinema, and contribute Xiong’an efforts to the new, open and active industrial ecosystem. 

With a focus on the positioning of Xiong’an New Area as a “Town of Future”, the Xiong’an Future Video Festival strives to be a “sci-fi film festival and gathering for sci-fi fans”, invests premium cinematic resources in various activities, such as screening, cultural market and short film competition, etc., to demonstrate profound cultural connotation, and draw more people to know, visit and stay in the Xiong’an New Area. Hopefully, the festival will reinforce the close ties between the BJIFF and Xiong’an New Area, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in cinema between the two sides to jointly build a commanding height of the film industry. 

It’s known that the festival encompasses a rich variety of activities with a focus on “sharing, learning and innovation”. It stands out with four highlights: Firstly, welcoming professionals and enthusiasts for sci-fi films; Secondly, better cooperation and coordination in the film industry between Beijing and Xiong’an New Area; Thirdly, advocacy for inheritance and innovation of great traditional culture; Fourthly, a platform for young filmmakers to fulfill their dreams.

Chen Hui presented concurrent activities during the BJIFF, a series of events in the Xiong’an New Area and projects under regular operation afterwards, and invited global filmmakers and fans to gather in the Xiong’an New Area this July to share film stories and plan the cinematic future. 

▌Xiong’an New Area Booth at the BJIFF Beijing Film Market

A Xiong’an New Area booth was set up by the hosts in the Beijing Film Market at the Central Station, Langyuan Station, from April 19 to 22, to display skyrocketing growth and outcomes of the Xiong’an New Area, and promote its key cultural tourism projects, cultural creative products and favorable policies, thus giving a comprehensive presentation about the vigorous town of innovation, appeal and future. Moreover, the Beijing Film Panorama is screening 11 classic films in cinemas across the Xiong’an New Area from April 18 to 26, including nominee(s) for the Academy Awards, winner(s) of the Best Film - Hidden Dragons and Golden Palm winner(s) at the Festival de Cannes. 

▌Diverse events under 7 sections of the Xiong’an Future Video Festival will be running till early August

The Xiong’an New Area is hosting 7 sections of events from early June to early August. First, young filmmaking talent training camps, including training camps for directors, screenwriters and actors/actresses respectively. The camps are about to call for applicants in early June. A mentor group made up of renowned filmmakers will deliver specialized training, selection of works, and announcement of results. Second, a sci-fi short film competition, which will kick off in early June, and call for sci-fi short films by filmmakers and sci-fi fans worldwide. Third, theme forum. Two core forums with the theme of “Cultural Inheritance · Film Power” and “Sci-fi Film Development” will be held. Heads of top film companies, renowned filmmakers, experts and scholars will be invited to discuss hot topics in the industry. Fourth, film-themed exhibition. A Hanfu Culture Exhibition featuring Lou Yixiao, Hanfu Culture Promoter of the Xiong’an Future Video Festival, is to be convened from August 2 to 10, during which visitors may change costumes, and enjoy Hanfu-themed role playing and other activities. Fifth, film carnival. The film carnival will be held from late July to early August, during which an e-sports carnival for all, animation IP exhibition, and animation music concert among others will be organized to strengthen multi-sector collaboration of film culture. Sixth, screening. Screenings of multiple critically acclaimed masterpieces will be open to the general public from late Julyt to early August in the form of cultural public welfare. Immersive city experience, including dining, entertainment and recreation services, will be provided as well. Last but not least, closing & awards ceremony of the Xiong’an Future Video Festival will be organized on August 10, during which winners of the sci-fi short film competition will be announced, and works produced during the young filmmaking talent training camps will be demonstrated. In short, a heart-warming and exciting ceremony will celebrate fruitful results of the integration of technology and science fiction. What’s more, the filmmaking talent training camps and Hanfu Culture Exhibition will be kept and operated as permanent projects, and remain open to the general public.