The 31st Beijing College Student Film Festival (BCSFF), as a part of the ongoing Beijing International Film Festival, opened on Saturday in the Chinese capital with a grand opening ceremony.
During the ceremony, 34 outstanding domestic films were unveiled after being selected from a pool of over 200 submissions. The announcement of eight "Youth Honors" for outstanding domestic films will take place on May 4, China's Youth Day, at an award ceremony dubbed "Youth Night", an annual highlight of the BCSFF that invites movie fans and college students nationwide to witness the birth of the honors.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable film professionals such as Huang Huilin and Tao Yuling, alongside over 300 young students.
This year's theme is "Light Gives Birth to All, Films Depicts New Chapters", expressing a sincere hope for young filmmakers in their career development.
"Everything grows under the sun. I believe that the light radiating from films nurtures the young people, generation after generation. We expect them to create something new, especially to share more stories of our news life through films," said Xiao Xiangrong, executive deputy director of the festival's organizing committee.
Additionally, the digital 3D image of the mascot, Little Flying Tiger, was unveiled at the ceremony.
Huang Huilin, BCSFF's founder, said that the mascot has witnessed the growth of young filmmakers over the past years.
"There was no mascot in the first edition of the festival. By the fourth edition, our then-festival secretary Zhang Tongdao sought to find one. He discovered a little flying tiger in a stone portrait from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) more than 2,000 years old ago. This lively depiction, with two little wings, resonates with our college students who are full of vitality and energy, so we modified the Han Dynasty portrait into the festival's mascot," Huang recalled.
The event concluded with a screening of the film "The Beginning", a creation depicting the youthful journey of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong (1893-1976).
This year's festival, which will conclude on May 4, will also feature various activities, including academic and cultural forums and a special program marking the 40th anniversary of China's Teachers' Day, which falls on Sept 10.
31st College Student Film Festival opens in Beijing
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
