Promotional material of the 19th Beijing International Sports Film Week Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Olympic City Development Association

A total of 18 films have been nominated for the 19th Beijing International Sports Film Week, which marks the first anniversary of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the 15th anniversary of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, according to a press release by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) on Saturday.

These works would compete with other works from 59 countries and regions in Milan at World Final "Sport Movies & TV 2023," the worldwide championship of cinema, television and sport culture organized by FICTS, in November.

Franco Ascani, President of Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs (FICTS) and a member of the International Olympic Committee for Culture and Olympic Heritage, said in recorded video that Beijing International Sports Film Week is an important stage for the "FICTS Global Challenge" international tour, and it has become a significant platform for showcasing the charm and professional spirit of Chinese sports films to the world. This edition of the Sports Film Week demonstrates how to promote the cultural values and concepts of the Olympics through sports. 

Over the years, the Sports Film Week has selected nearly 180 outstanding works to participate in the "Sport Movies & TV" with 62 of them receiving awards in various competition categories, Gao Yunchao, head of the event and deputy director of the BODA, told the Global Times.

He said that a total of 222 sports-themed films have been accepted for the Sports Film Week since April. They have set up eight sections, and two or three outstanding works in each section will be selected for the World Final in Milan.

Promotional material of the 19th Beijing International Sports Film Week Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Olympic City Development Association

 
Gao introduced that in recent years, Chinese sports film and television works have become increasingly diverse. For example, films and TV shows featuring disabled individuals have evolved from simply showcasing their indomitable spirit to portraying their influence on other people.

Tang Yan, director of Stepping Through the Ruins: The Sports Road of Wenchuan Earthquake Survivors, echoed that his filming crew were inspired by the optimistic spirit of the young people with disabilities who were affected by the Wenchuan earthquake. 

"These young people have recovered from the shadows of the tragic earthquake and found joy in sports, and this mindset truly heal people's hearts," Tang told the Global Times.

In addition to the diversification of artistic expressions, the genres of sports-themed films and TV shows have become increasingly varied, which can be seen from the nominated work Me and My Winter Olympics - the only authorized animated film for the Beijing Winter Olympics that brings together many Chinese animated characters and the mascots of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

Xu Bo, one of the scriptwriters of the work, told the Global Times that incorporating these classic animated characters and mascots into a story was an interesting attempt, and similar innovated idea could enrich the genre of the film week.

Olympic champion and figure skating winner Sui Wenjing told the Global Times that sports film and television works can magnify the sports spirit within athletes. The documentary film Beneath the Surface (of Ice), in which she stars, is also nominated for this award. 

She hopes this documentary can show more details of an athlete's life to the audience, revealing that they are not just fighters on the competition but also have many hobbies in life, just like a normal person.

As the official film of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Beijing 2022 was undoubtedly listed into the shortlist. Producer Li Lisha told the Global Times that unlike previous Olympic official films, which mostly focused on athletes, Beijing 2022 also includes ordinary people involved in the preparation of the Winter Olympics, making the film more relatable and approachable.

She said that a good story that is universally accepted could contribute to the work's international influence, and a good story themed with sports should not only showcase the sports spirit but also possess a deeper sense of humanity and historical relevance. The Russian film Three Seconds is a good example of such a story.