The 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) will kick off Friday with a grand ceremony at the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center, bringing together film professionals from China and around the world for a dazzling celebration of cinema.

Film stars from China and around the world will gather for the event, including Chinese director and actor Jiang Wen, serving as jury president for the 15th BJIFF competition section, alongside fellow jurors including Chinese-speaking director-actress Joan Chen, British director David Yates, Chinese actress Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and Timmy Yip, an art director from Hong Kong, China.

Multiple Chinese film crews from this year's Tiantan Award main competition lineup, along with production teams of highly anticipated new releases, will grace the red carpet ceremony. The opening event will feature a special tribute segment with appearances by acclaimed performers, while renowned musicians and entertainers are set to deliver captivating live performances.

The red carpet ceremony will be broadcast online at 3:35 p.m. and on television at 9:30 p.m. Friday. The opening ceremony follows at 7:35 p.m., airing simultaneously across both digital and traditional platforms. Major outlets including People's Daily App and Beijing Daily App will carry live coverage.

Marking 130 years of world cinema and 120 years of Chinese cinema, this year's festival will showcase a rich lineup of over 300 films screening across 34 venues throughout the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The selection spans global masterpieces, classics, and bold new voices in Chinese cinema.

Audiences from across China have shown enthusiasm, with tickets purchased by film lovers from cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

The Beijing Film Life Festival will also be launched on the sidelines, blending cinema with lifestyle through food, tourism, and cultural markets. A highlight is the film bazaar at BJIFF's main venue Langyuan Station, featuring over 150 cultural creative and art brands, 70 catering brands, and immersive movie-themed zones.

As the festival runs until April 27, Beijing continues to shine as a global hub for cinematic exchange, bridging cultures through the universal language of film.