Beijing Intl Film Festival concludes with Tiantan Awards ceremony

The closing ceremony of the 16th Beijing International Film Festival is held in Beijing, April 25, 2026. [Photo by Zhang Yuxin/China.org.cn]

The 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) concluded Saturday with a closing ceremony at the Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center in Huairou district, Beijing.

The festival attracted 1,826 films from 139 countries and regions, with international films making up 88% of submissions. Following competition among entries from around the world, the festival's top honor, the Tiantan Awards, presented 10 prizes recognizing excellence in filmmaking.

English actresses Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn shared the best actress award for "Dragonfly." Chinese actor Yu Hewei received the best actor award for his role in "All the Good Eyes," while Qiao Shan took best supporting actor for his role in the same film. Portuguese actress Madalena Cunha, 14, won best supporting actress for her role in "Justa," becoming the youngest recipient of the award.

In technical and creative categories, "Embers" won best cinematography, while the best music award went to "The Supporting Role." "Justa" also claimed the best artistic contribution award. Dutch filmmaker Mike van Diem won best director for "Our Girls."

Sweeping three major awards — best actress, best screenplay and best film — the British film "Dragonfly" emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night.

The festival also honored legendary martial arts director Yuen Woo-ping with the lifetime achievement award. With 64 years in the industry, Yuen has shaped both Chinese and international action cinema, serving as action director on six Hollywood productions and influencing generations of filmmakers worldwide.

The 16th BJIFF showcased diverse voices, honored cinematic excellence and strengthened China's presence in the global film industry.

The festival reflects the vitality of China's film sector, with a rapidly growing domestic box office, expanding production capacity and increasing international collaborations. China continues to play an increasingly important role in shaping global cinematic trends.

China's 2026 box office revenue, including pre-sales, surpassed 12.8 billion yuan ($1.87 billion) as of April 26, leading the global film market, according to Maoyan, one of China's leading movie ticketing and box office data platforms.

BJIFF will continue to serve as a bridge between Chinese and international cinema, providing a platform for cultural dialogue and global collaboration.