The news center of the 1st Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) held a news conference at the Beijing Hotel on April 19. Deputy Director of the Beijing International Film Festival Organizing Committee Office, Pang Wei, Executive Director, Zhao Dongming, Minister of Beijing Film Panorama, Yan Yujing and Director of People's Government Beijing Municipality Information Office, Wang Wei attended the event and introduced the preparatory work.

According to Pang, over 100 stars will be present at the red carpet on April 23. Image ambassadors to the festival, Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi, will arrive together with Zhang Guoli, Tang Wei and Leon Lai.

Ten domestically-produced films will be honored at the after party, including "Aftershock", "Confucius" and "Bodyguards and Assassins", for their contributions to helping make Chinese movies enjoy a more global appeal.

The directors of 22 international film festivals will attend the "Dialogue between Directors of International Film Festivals" to exchange ideas and discuss the relationship between films and urban development. Pang said this will be the biggest party for directors of international film festivals.

BJIFF is the first international film festival for Beijing. The first edition is scheduled to run from April 23 to 28.