CRI听力:2nd Beijing International Film Festival Comes to an End

Only the second year for the Beijing International Film Festival, it has made a total of more than 5 billion yuan, or 800 million US dollars, in contracts from 600 different film production companies from all over the world.

Pang Wei, spokeswoman for the organizing committee of the Second Beijing International Film Festival and Deputy Director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Film, Radio and Television, says that communication and business trading was the most important aspect of the Beijing International Film Festival.

"One of the most important goals for hosting this great event is collecting excellent movie resources from around the world and building a platform for the world's filmmakers to discuss development in the industry and share business opportunities. We will stick to this principle in the coming festivals."

Since the first Beijing International Film Festival, the organizing committee has put a great deal of focus on its film market.

Pang Wei says the increase indicates that the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival garnered more and more attention on the international stage and that its impact is becoming stronger.

"Beijing has its special market resources. Almost every filmmaker has had their project here in Beijing. And more than 70% of China's domestic movies have shot in Beijing. Also, in recent years, the Beijing Municipal Government has paid much more attention in building a public movie market. All of these have contributed to the current prosperous movie market in Beijing."

Unlike the Shanghai International Film Festival, the only A-Category international film festival in China at present, the Beijing International Film Festival puts attention on building Beijing as an oriental movie hub.

There are also hopes Beijing can be the largest movie trade center in Asia and, if possible, the world.

Richard Brownsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of British Columbia Film Media, who attended the first and second Beijing International Film Festival says that the progress of the film festival in Beijing is amazing.

"The festival is developing better than I would have imagined that it could. I thought last year was a wonderful first effort, and this year it is even better. I suspect it is going to continue to get better each year."

The Beijing International Film Festival has not set up its own particular prize yet. The organizing committee stated that it will definitely have the prize next year. There is no doubt that the Beijing International Film Festival will become a grand international film festival in the future.

For CRI, I'm Tianyi.