On the evening of June 25, 2005, the first "Beijing International Sports Film Week" officially opened at Beijing Hotel, marking the 100th anniversary of film making in China and celebrating the century-old Olympic Movement.

   Long Xinmin, president of the organizing committee of the on-going Beijing 2008 Olympic Culture Festival, announced the beginning of the film week.

   Zhao Shi, deputy director of the National Bureau of Radio and Television Industry, said at the opening ceremony that the art of moving picture is closely linked with sports, one of the human activities that could be dated back long in the history. He noted that moving pictures help disseminate the Olympic spirit by capturing the transient moment of charm and grace in sports and sporting persons. The sports film week will help enhance communication among Chinese and international film makers and promote the prosperity of both sports and the film industry, Zhao said.

   Just before the film week was unveiled, well-known Chinese film directors and a number of Olympic gold medallists walked on a "Golden Path" covered with red carpet up to the stage to write down their good wishes on a huge model of Olympic gold medal.

   Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, who was in hospital for injury, expressed his goodwill to the attendants at the opening ceremony by making a live speech on the Internet.

   Following the opening ceremony, an American-made digital documentary film "The Year of Yao" made debut at Xindong'an Film City in downtown Beijing. The 88-minute film depicts the legendary experience Yao Ming with light humor, showing his rise to international basketball star from a fresh hand in the American NBA.

   In the next eight days, some 20 sports-related films will be screened in Beijing. The films, made between 1934 to 2005, are from China, the United States, Thailand, Canada, Australia, France and Britain. On the evening of June 28, actors and actresses of some of the movies will join Beijing residents in Fangzhuang community look at and exchange views on the films. In addition, the sports films will be shown in local communities in all the eight districts of central Beijing.

   IOC Official Film Producer Bud Greenspan will also attend the Film Week. Greenspan also wrote the scripture and directed the promotional films for Beijing's successful bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2000 and the city's preparation for the 2008 Games. He will discuss film making with well-known Chinese director Chen Kaige on June 27. Greenspan will also host a special show of his works at the Beijing Film Academy on June 28 - 29, during which he will talk with students and unveil two "gifts" that he presents to Chinese audiences.

   Over the past century, films documenting the Olympic Games and displaying the Olympic spirit have touched the hearts of generations with striking power of both artistic and sport means. The Beijing International Sports Film Week will provide the audiences with an invaluable opportunity to experience the excitement that sports bring to people's life.

   The film week is jointly sponsored by the National Bureau of Radio and Television Industry and BOCOG. It has become a major activity of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Culture Festival and will be held every year till 2008.

   Among the 600 persons attending the opening ceremony of the film festival are BOCOG Executive President Liu Jingmin, Vice Mayor of Beijing Sun Anmin, BOCOG Vice Executive President Jiang Xiaoyu and Consultant to BOCOG He Zhenliang, as well as other government officials, Olympians, artists, foreign diplomats and international media members.