Beijing is known for its rich cultural atmosphere, attracting many filmmakers and stars' residences with film events happening here every day. This year, Beijing finally has its own film festival – the first Beijing International Film Festival (BIFF),  held by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) and the Beijing Municipal Government, is to be held from April 23 to 28 and will continue to take place annually.
 
The festival includes Beijing Film Panorama, film forums, trade fairs and concerts. "The aim of the festival is to provide a platform for exchanges and transactions for domestic and overseas films," said Pang Wei, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio, Film and Television.

For the Beijing Film Panorama section, films from all over the world will be screened in over 20 cinemas in Beijing. It has already attracted 420 film applications from over 50 countries and regions, including top Hollywood players such as studios Walt Disney and Paramount; and Oscar-nominated films.

The core crew of Black Swan, The Social Network and True Grit, according to the festival committee, are all invited to Beijing. Domestically, 162 Chinese films from over 60 film studios such as Changchun Film Group, HY Brothers and HTV film submitted applications.

"The [Hollywood] films are being censored according to film censorship policy. If certain footage need to be cut or re-edited and the studios are willing to do so, we will then accept their application," said SARFT representative Liu Chun.

Directors or presidents from 15 international film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and Hawaii International Film Festival are all confirmed to participate in the festival forum section.

With the logo – a seven-bladed windmill symbolizing the richness of film and culture – chosen last Friday, the BIFF will now select ambassadors to promote it.

"A-list film stars will be chosen for the festival. The application is taking place now, the final result, who will best represent Beijing and is fully devoted to promoting the festival, will be revealed next week," Wang Beibei, media manager, told the Global Times.

The Beijing College Student Film Festival, Beijing Youth Public Welfare Film Festival and Beijing Ethnic Movies Show will also be included as part of the BIFF.