BJIFF Best Actress winner Zhang Ziyi Photo: CFP

The Closing & Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday night marked the end of the week-long fourth Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF). Prior to this, 15 films from numerous countries and regions were shortlisted for the final Tiantan Awards.

Ten awards were given to movies from seven different countries and regions, perfectly representing the core values of BJIFF, "Beauty in Variety, Harmony in Diversity."

Recently sweeping the 33rd Hong Kong Film Festival with 12 awards on April 14, Chinese movie The Grandmaster, directed by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, received another three important awards at BJIFF: Best Director, Best Actress and Best Cinematography.

Zhang Ziyi, who plays the leading actress role of Gong Er in the film, has now received her 10th award for this role. "It feels so good to win an award at the door of my home. This is my 10th trophy, everything is perfect in every way," said Zhang.

While many people still see Indian films as movies involving tons of singing and dancing, the Best Feature Film winner, Siddharth, tells a different story. About a poor man living at the bottom rung of society who is searching for his lost son, the film was an Indian-Canadian joint-production.

A black mark against this year's BJIFF for many fans might be the absence of some stars and award winners.

Compared to international film festivals like those held at Berlin, Cannes and Venice BJIFF is still rather new. Although the ceremony was broadcast live, there was a significant lack of discussion concerning BJIFF among Netizens.

Chinese director Lu Chuan - who has won numerous international awards for his films Nanjing, Nanjing and Kekexili: Mountain Patrol - was also a jury member this year.

He feels that holding such an international film festival in China has profound meaning for Chinese films. He revealed to the Global Times that when he watched the films on the shortlist, he was deeply impressed by their quality.

"The quality of shortlisted films decides the quality of a film festival. I found it hard to believe that such a young film festival as BJIFF has been able to achieve such high quality," said Lu commenting on the festival.

Compared to other successful international film festivals, BJIFF is still exploring its own unique style, said famed Chinese director Ning Hao sharing his opinion about the festival.

"The attitude here is great. An attitude that is inclusive. All kinds of movies can come here and we use a democratic way to select the winners," Ning told the Global Times.

"You need to first start the game, and build its credibility. Then find your own style and taste along the way," he added.

Probably, the president of the jury, director John Woo, summed up the festival the best, "Only a movie that touches your heart can reach the global market."

Partial List of Winners



Best Feature Film 

Siddharth (Canada/India)

Best Director

Wong Kar-wai The Grandmaster (China)

Best Actor

Guillaume Gouix Attila Marcel (France)

Best Actress

Zhang Ziyi The Grandmaster (China)

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Rickman A Promise (France)

Best Supporting Actress

Lee Re Hope (South Korea)

Best Cinematography

Philippe Le Sourd The Grandmaster (China)