First Beijing international film festival begins

Beijing: Hollywood star Jackie Chan, "Lion King" director Rob Minkoff and director of Oscar-winning "Black Swan", Darren Aronofsky, were among the celebrities who attended the First Beijing International Film Festival opening ceremony Saturday. More than 100 world-famous actors and directors attended the ceremony at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Xinhua reported.

The festival, to run till Thursday, will have film screenings, forums, film marketing discussions and concerts. It is being organised by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) and the Beijing municipal government. The event would provide a platform for global filmmakers to discuss industry development, for film buyers and sellers to share business opportunities, and for foreigners to learn more about Beijing, said Li Chunliang, chief of the Beijing branch of SARFT. Zhang Huijun, president of the China Film Academy, said the world had a glimpse of Chinese culture through Hollywood movies like "Kung Fu Panda", and the festival would give an opportunity to learn more. China produced over 500 movies last year and the total box office revenue reached 10 billion yuan, he said. IANS