120 years ago, audiences in the Chinese mainland witnessed the silver screen debut of "Dingjunshan" — a black-and-white masterpiece that set Chinese filmmaking in motion. Today, at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), organizers pay tribute not only to this pioneering work but also to the 130th anniversary of the world’s first public film screening: "Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat" by the Lumière brothers.
Since those early reels, cinema has evolved at breakneck speed. From live-action epics to cutting-edge animation, the Chinese mainland’s film industry has grown into the world’s second-largest market. Last year alone, local blockbusters like "Ne Zha 2" blended myth and state-of-the-art visual effects, shattering box office records and showcasing the region’s tech prowess.
At BJIFF, retrospectives transport young global citizens and cinephiles alike back to the dawn of film. Interactive exhibits let visitors compare restored frames of "Dingjunshan" with modern digital scans, while panel discussions explore how technology and storytelling collide in today’s streaming and theatrical landscapes.
As the festival unfolds, emerging filmmakers from G20 nations share insights on sustainable production, cross-cultural collaborations, and the future of immersive cinema. Whether you’re a digital nomad scouting new narrative experiences or a thought leader shaping media policy, BJIFF’s celebration of past and future milestones offers a front-row seat to the next chapter of global film.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
