On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Beijing International Sports Film Week (BISFW), a delegation led by Franco B. Ascani, Member of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission and President of Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS), attended the Shortlists Announcement Ceremony of the 20th BISFW and visited the Beijing Olympic Museum on 22 and 23 August. They conducted an in-depth exchange of views with high-ranking officials of the Chinese Olympic Committee, the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA), the Jury of the BISFW and the Beijing Federation of Literary & Art Circles.
On the evening of 23 August, Franco B. Ascani participated in the Shortlists Announcement Ceremony of the 20th BISFW. Present at the ceremony were Han Zirong, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA), Jiang Xiaoyu, Chairman of the Jury of the Beijing International Sports Film Week, Gao Chao, Director of Press, Publicity and Cultural Heritage Department of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Fu Xiaohui, Vice President and Secretary General of BODA and Director of the Beijing Olympic City Development Centre.
（Shortlist representatives take a group photo with officials and VIPs）
Describing the BISFW as the most important festival before the World Champion Final of the Sport Movies and TV – Milano International FICTS Fest, Franco B. Ascani stated that the BISFW has served as a key bridge connecting global and Chinese sports film and TV cultures, provided strong support for the promotion of the Olympic spirit, which is in high alignment with the mission of FICTS. In his capacity as President of the FICTS, an IOC-recognized organisation with 130 member countries, he expressed warm congratulations on the organising of the BISFW for the 20th consecutive year, praising it as a significant milestone and an admirable achievement. He also thanked BODA and President of the Jury Jiang Xiaoyu for their long-term dedication to and support for spreading the Olympic legacy. He looked forward to meeting with Chinese friends again at the Sport Movies and TV 2024 in Milan.
（Franco B. Ascani delivers a speech）
In her speech Han Zirong said that the BISFW has played a vital role in carrying forward the Olympic legacy and supporting the staging of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 (the “Beijing 2022 Games”) and served as an important bridge that helps bring China’s sports film and TV culture to the whole world. The BISFW will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implement the guidelines of the 20th CPC National Congress and the 13th Beijing Municipal CPC Congress, act in line with the guiding principles of President Xi Jinping’s speech at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Review and Awards Ceremony, give full play to Beijing’s demonstration role as the first city to have hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics in the world, fully leverage the comprehensive functions of sports in building a modern socialist country in all respects, and support the endeavour to build China into a country strong on sports. The BISFW will strengthen cooperation with FICTS and continue to tell China’s stories well, promote exchanges among Olympic cities, facilitate Beijing’s role as a centre for international exchanges and better present Chinese culture to the world.
（Han Zirong delivers a speech）
Jiang Xiaoyu noted that the BISFW was launched in 2005 in preparation for the Olympic Games Beijing 2008. With the support of BODA and FICTS, it has become one of the festivals of the World Champion Final of the Sport Movies and TV – Milano International FICTS Fest, blazing a trail for bringing Chinese sports films and TV productions to the world. The 20th BISFW has forged close cooperation with the Beijing International Film Festival, universities and other domestic film festivals, enriching the entries and making the collection of works more professional and influential. The shortlists will be submitted to the World Champion Final to compete with sports films and TV productions from other parts of the world and showcase the charm of Chinese sports films and TV productions. He hoped that more creators could engage in the creation of sports films and TV productions, capture the passion and dream of sports with camera, impart the spirit and power of sports with stories and together create a better future for China's sports film and TV industry.
（Jiang Xiaoyu delivers remarks）
The videos from Zhang Yimou and Jackie Chan expressing their best wishes were shown at the event.
（Video from Zhang Yimou）
（Video from Jackie Chan）
A congratulatory message from the Consulate General of China in Milan was also presented.
（Congratulatory message from the Consulate General of China in Milan）
Pang Qing and Tong Jian, world figure skating champions and ambassadors of the 20th BISFW, shared their experiences with the Olympic Games and profound understanding of sportsmanship and sports film.
（Four guests share their experiences and feelings）
The shortlists in each category were announced, and the trophies and certificates were awarded to the winners. Fu Xiaohui and Zhu Qinxiao awarded trophies and certificates to the shortlists Football on the Roof and Wonderful Youth in the “Movies” category.
（Awards ceremony: shortlists in the “Movies” category）
Han Zirong and Gao Chao awarded trophies and certificates to the shortlists The First One and 150 Seconds in the “Documentary” category.
（Awards ceremony: shortlists in the “Documentary” category）
Franco B. Ascani and Jiang Xiaoyu presented trophies and certificates to the shortlists in the “Olympic Games and Olympic Spirit” category, You Hold Up National Flag, I Hold You and Hi, Asian Games – Female.
（Awards ceremony: shortlists in the “Olympic Games and Olympic Spirit” category）
Han Zirong and Franco B. Ascani exchanged honorary certificates on behalf of their respective organisations.
（Han Zirong and Franco B. Ascani exchange certificates）
There were posters of all the 47 shortlists on the day.
（Posters of shortlists）
On the afternoon of 22 August, Franco B. Ascani paid a visit to the Beijing International Sports Film Week and watched a shortlist of the 20th BISFW.
（A group photo of VIPs）
He left a commemorative handprint at the Beijing Olympic Museum.
（Franco B. Ascani leaves a handprint）
（ Franco B. Ascani visits the Beijing Olympic Museum）
Franco B. Ascani and his delegation watched Football on the Roof, a shortlist of this year’s BISFW, at the 3D theatre of the Beijing Olympic Museum. In his speech after watching the film, he expressed congratulations on the success of the 20th BISFW on behalf of the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission and FICTS. He remarked that the shortlist screened just now reflects the significant role of sports in connecting people from different backgrounds and fully demonstrates how sports values help humanity overcome obstacles related to family background, culture and belief and inspire and unite humanity. He also spoke highly of the unique role of the BISFW in encouraging sports film creation and promoting Olympic values and sports. He looked forward to seeing the shortlists submitted by Beijing at the World Champion Final in Milan scheduled for November.
（Franco B. Ascani delivers a speech）
（A group photo of Franco B. Ascani and the audience）
On 22 August, talks were held among Franco B. Ascani, Han Zirong, Jiang Xiaoyu, Fu Xiaohui and Ma Xinming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Vice President of the Beijing Federation of Literary & Art Circles. Franco B. Ascani said that FICTS will further cooperation with BODA and the BISFW and bring to China more shortlists of previous editions of the Sport Movies and TV – Milano International FICTS Fest to screen in the Beijing Olympic Museum and other places, so Chinese movie-goers could watch excellent international sports films and TV productions.
（A group photo of VIPs）
The BISFW is an Olympic themed flagship programme launched in 2005.The 20th BISFW is co-hosted by the Beijing International Film Festival Organising Committee, the Chinese Olympic Committee and BODA and co-organised by the Press Commission of the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Beijing Olympic City Development Centre. After the preliminary evaluation, 47 out of the 275 entries were recommended. After the final evaluation by eight judges, a total of 18 shortlists were selected on 2 August. According to the Rules on Collection of Works for Beijing International Sports Film Week and Milano International FICTS FEST-World Championship Final (Beijing), these shortlists will take part in the 42nd Milano International FICTS Fest and be publicly screened in the Beijing Olympic Museum, the China National Film Museum and other places to showcase the unique charm of Beijing as the dual Olympic city, carry forward the Olympic spirit and support the sustainable development of the Olympic legacy.
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