[Beijing Wire, April 25, 2026] The 16th Beijing International Film Festival concluded tonight with the closing ceremony and Tiantan Awards gala at Yanqi Lake International Conference Center, marking the end of eight days of curated screenings, industry forums, and cultural exchange activities.
Following multi-round deliberation by an international jury, the festival announced winners across ten competition categories plus the Lifetime Achievement Award. British thriller Dragonfly emerged as the evening’s most honored title, securing Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay (Paul Andrew Williams), and Best Leading Actress (shared by Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn). Dutch director Mike van Diem received Best Director for The Girls, while Chinese actor Yu Hewei was named Best Leading Actor for his performance in Forest Within the Woods.
Additional honors included Best Supporting Actor for Qiao Shan (Forest Within the Woods), Best Supporting Actress for Madalena Cunha (After the Wildfire), Best Cinematography for Zhou Cong (Embers), Best Original Score for Stan Sheripov (Supporting Role), and Best Artistic Contribution awarded to the Portugal-France co-production After the Wildfire. In a special recognition, renowned action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of contributions to martial arts cinema.
The festival’s project market facilitated targeted matchmaking sessions, with multiple film initiatives focused on realist storytelling, technology integration, and cultural heritage reaching collaboration intents. The inaugural AIGC Creation Unit showcased applications of artificial intelligence in script development and visual pre-production, sparking industry dialogue on creative boundaries.
Screening programs presented works from dozens of countries via theatrical and digital channels, serving audiences across Beijing and beyond. Organizers emphasized the festival’s evolving role as a hub connecting artistic excellence, industrial resources, and technological innovation.
The 17th Beijing International Film Festival is scheduled for spring 2027.