French director Luc Besson will chair the International Jury at the Beijing International Film Festival in April, China Entertainment News reported Wednesday.
Besson, the director of the sci-fi action-thriller "Lucy," will chair the Tiantian Awards. The annual event will give awards in 10 categories such as best feature, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, screenplay, cinematography, music and visual effects.
Festival organizers said that Besson's work as a director and producer proved that blockbuster movies are not exclusive at the Hollywood but also to the world. He is a good example of a global filmmaker, website Variety.com opined.
Besson's "Lucy" grossed 278.33 million yuan (around $44.8 million) at the Chinese box office.
According to the website the Hollywood Reporter, the film festival will take place on April 16-23 and will includes forums, large markets, an exhibition and a carnival.
Hong Kong director John Woo headed the film festival's jury last year. "Mehta's Siddarth" directed by Richie Mehta won the Best Picture award. The Best Director trophy was given to Wong Kar-wai for "The Grandmaster." Zhang Ziyi won the Best Actress award for the movie "The Grandmaster," while Guillaume Gouix was awarded Best Actor for "Attila Marcel," the China Entertainment News added.
Meanwhile, China is considered as the world's second-largest film market. Last year's festival attracted Paramount Pictures' COO Frederick Huntsberry, "Gravity" director Alfonso Cuaron, Motion Picture Association of America's President Christopher Dodd and "Frozen" producer Peter Del Vecho, among others. Hollywood superstars James Cameron and Keanu Reeves also attended the festival.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, director Oliver Stone urged Chinese filmmakers to film controversial historical issues last year.