Lights, camera, global connection! The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) just wrapped with a heartfelt celebration of storytelling that bridges continents. We asked filmmakers, critics, and cinephiles from five countries one simple question: ‘What’s your favorite movie?’ The answers? A kaleidoscope of emotions and cultures.
From Italy’s timeless Life Is Beautiful to China’s much-anticipated animated sequel Ne Zha 2, the picks spanned decades and genres. A South African producer praised Bollywood’s Lagaan for its ‘universal spirit,’ while a Japanese director called Taiwan-made A Sun ‘a masterpiece of quiet humanity.’ 🎥
‘Films are passports to empathy,’ shared a French VR artist, highlighting how cinema sparks shared laughter and tears across languages. As streaming reshapes media, BJIFF’s focus on big-screen magic feels more vital than ever—proving stories still thrive when we gather to watch, discuss, and dream together. 🤝✨
