The 16th Beijing International Film Festival has opened in China's capital, bringing film lovers together in front of the big screen from April 16 to 25. In recent years, Chinese cinema has showcased an evolving landscape of genres and technological innovation. Through these works, international audiences are also discovering a more imaginative and contemporary China.

Marina, an international student in Tsinghua University, once associated Chinese cinema almost entirely with cultural exports like Jackie Chan and Kung Fu Panda. But after living in Beijing and engaging more deeply with Chinese films, she was struck by their emotional depth, subtlety and nuanced portrayals of complex human life. In her view, Chinese cinema is vibrant and full of energy. While films may become more bizarre and more diverse in the future, Chinese filmmakers continue preserving a distinct cultural identity in their storytelling.