Film + Sports: Connecting dual-Olympic memories through lenses

"Growing up in Africa, sports have always been a part of my life," said Adama Sarr, a student from The Gambia and volunteer at the 16th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF). "I've watched Qi Guangpu, the legendary Chinese freestyle skier, for years, and now I can see him in person!" Sarr's enthusiasm highlights the unique power of the 22nd Beijing International Sports Film Week (BISFW), where sport and cinema bring people together by telling the personal and cultural stories behind athletic success.

As part of this year's BJIFF, the BISFW forum dives into the deep cultural and emotional currents flowing from Beijing's Olympic legacy, both from the 2008 Summer Games and the 2022 Winter Games. A central theme of this year's festival is the idea that sports films have the responsibility to go beyond victories to capture the true essence of an athlete's journey. Yu Jianhong, vice president of the Beijing Film Academy, suggests that sports films reflect the personal challenges athletes face. "Sports films could showcase not just the triumphs, but the setbacks and how athletes rise from failure to face the next challenge," he said, reinforcing the idea that sports are not just about competition but about growth and identity.

Qi Guangpu, a Chinese freestyle aerial skier who won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics and serves as an ambassador for BISFW, emphasized the deeper narrative of sports films "to showcase resilience and the transformative power of sports." Qi expressed his hope that these films would reveal more than just competition. "I hope more people can see the passion and heart that fuel winter sports," he added, stressing the importance of capturing the fierce spirit and beauty of the sport beyond the medals. Qi was also featured in CMG's sports documentary series tracking athletes' preparations for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Pegasus 3 (2026), featured at the opening of this year's BJIFF, is a Chinese sports drama that follows a veteran racer and explores the fairness of motorsport and the psychological dilemmas athletes confront on and off the track. Similarly, "F1 the Movie" (2025) tells the story of a retired Formula 1 driver who returns to mentor a young rookie, while also seeking personal redemption after a career-altering crash. Both films explore the emotional and ethical complexities faced by professional motorsports athletes.

The festival also draws attention to winter sports, which are still gaining visibility in China. Former curler and now TV host Chang Lei spoke about how films are helping to bring these sports into the spotlight. "Winter sports face many challenges in terms of visibility," he remarked, "but through film, we are introducing them to a wider audience. These athletes face a unique set of hurdles, and their stories are worth telling." Indeed, as winter sports continue to grow in popularity, especially after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, films are offering a platform to showcase the dedication and perseverance of athletes who often train in less visible disciplines.

Beyond the cinema screens, the festival also creates opportunities for sports enthusiasts to explore the host city, China's capital Beijing. CGTN's THE HYPE program hit the cycling trails on April 15 to celebrate the BJIFF, inviting cyclists on an immersive journey around the shimmering Yanqi Lake in Huairou District, where the glamour of the silver screen meets ecological beauty. From the Great Wall to the Huairou Science Center, and from Hongluo Temple to the Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center, cyclists pedaled through the heart of Huairou District to showcase a green and vibrant Beijing.

BISFW is a canvas where the adrenaline of the arena meets the power of the storytelling. By capturing sport as a universal language, it bridges cultures and connects audiences to the profound journey behind the Games.