'Loveable' triumphs in Beijing as film festival highlights cinema's power across borders

Fresh off its triumph at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Lilja Ingolfsdottir's debut feature "Loveable" continues to make waves in China, claiming four top honors at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival.

Tiantan Award jurors pose for a group photo with the audience after a special screening of Loveable in Beijing, April 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

On Sunday, the emotionally charged portrait of a woman navigating the collapse of her marriage and rediscovering her sense of self took center stage at a special screening in Beijing. The film struck a deep chord with audiences, underscoring the universal power of storytelling.

This followed Saturday's Tiantan Awards ceremony, where "Loveable" swept Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay -- an impressive feat for a first-time narrative filmmaker. Ingolfsdottir's nuanced storytelling stood out in a competitive field that highlighted auteur-driven cinema from across the globe.

At Sunday's screening, Tiantan Awards jurors offered fresh insights into what set the film apart. Finnish juror Teemu Nikki emphasized how "Loveable" transcended cultural boundaries. "It really doesn't matter where the film comes from if it has a story," he said, pointing out that the best films shared universal stories and feelings that resonate globally.

Swiss actor-director Vincent Perez praised the film for its emotional authenticity and craftsmanship. "It has to go through the heart," Perez said, calling it "a bit of a miracle" when a film balances technical precision with raw emotion. He also lauded the cast's performances and the director's collaboration with the actors as "absolutely magnificent."

Jury president and Chinese director Jiang Wen highlighted the film's emotional precision. "Everyone has it in their hearts, but no one can put it into words... The film scratches exactly where it itches," he said.

Jiang also applauded "Loveable" for resisting formulaic approaches: "I believe this film wasn't calculated from big data... and true artists take out their hearts to show audiences where the itch is."

"Loveable" centers on Maria, a working mother in her 40s, struggling to hold her marriage together while juggling a demanding career. As her husband's frequent absences and growing emotional distance pull them apart, Maria is forced to confront her deepest fears and unresolved childhood wounds, particularly her strained relationship with her mother. Through painful introspection, she ultimately reclaims a sense of agency and emotional resilience.

In a recorded message played before Sunday's screening, Ingolfsdottir, speaking from Paris, called the festival's recognition "overwhelming and fantastic," thanking the jury and audiences for embracing the film across cultural lines.

The Beijing International Film Festival, which drew nearly 1,800 film submissions from 103 countries and regions this year, continues to establish itself as a major platform for cultural exchange.

Organizers highlighted the growing diversity of entries, with nearly 90 percent coming from outside China, and underscored the festival's role in spotlighting bold, human-centered storytelling on a global scale.

As the festival wrapped its 15th edition, "Loveable," along with other winners across various categories, stood as a testament to cinema's power to bridge divides, reminding audiences that stories grounded in universally felt truths can transcend borders and languages.