The 15th Beijing International Film Festival came to a close on Saturday with a big win for the Norwegian film Lovable. The movie won four major awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. It was the top winner at this year’s festival.
Lovable tells the story of a middle-aged woman. After going through a divorce, she tries to rebuild her life. The film shows how someone can find a new path even after deep pain. The movie touched many hearts and stood out from the rest.
The Best Actor award was shared by two stars from Belgium. Pierre Bastin and Benjamin Lambilotte won for their roles in Vitrival: The Most Beautiful Village in the World. Their strong performances brought them the top acting honor for men.
Chinese actress Tian Hua received the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a legend in China’s film world and was honored for her long and rich career. Her work has inspired many for decades.
This year’s festival saw a huge number of entries. A total of 1,794 films were submitted from 103 countries and regions. Of these, 90% came from outside China. The festival continues to grow as a global event that brings films and cultures together.
The event also had a big impact on the local economy. More than 300 million visitors came to Beijing during the festival. These visitors helped bring in over 11 billion yuan in trade. Restaurants and stores around the city joined in on the fun by offering film-themed deals and discounts.
One of the biggest new features of this year’s festival was the launch of the “Beijing Film and Life Festival.” This new event was started by the China Film Administration and China Media Group. The aim is to make films a bigger part of daily life. It mixes movies with lifestyle and local culture.
Festival organizers said they are trying their best to use the event to support the local economy. By making the festival about more than just watching movies, they want to attract more people and create more value.
Shops and cafes across Beijing helped celebrate the festival by adding film-themed items and offers. This helped bring cinema culture into everyday life and made the festival feel like a city-wide celebration. People could enjoy movie-related meals, special drinks, and even themed decorations.
The Beijing International Film Festival is now one of the most important film events in Asia. It brings together film lovers, directors, actors, and producers from all over the world. The success of Lovable this year shows how powerful a simple and honest story can be.
As the festival grows, more global films are expected to join. This opens doors for fresh voices and stories to reach a larger audience. The celebration of both film and life is a sign of how Beijing wants to become a world center for cinema.
The 15th edition of the festival proved that good stories can come from anywhere. It also showed that films have the power to bring people together, spark emotion, and support local culture and business. With each passing year, the festival continues to set new records and reach new heights.