5th Beijing International Film Festival will be in mid-April

Luc Besson is invited to serve as the International Jury Chairman of the fifth Beijing International Film Festival. [Photo/Xinhua]

Last year, over 260 domestic and foreign films were screened at 30 movie theatres in Beijing. In 2015, the number is anticipated to be more than that of the previous year.

Nominated films will compete for 10 Tiantan Awards, including the best film, director, actor and actress, best supporting actor and actress, best screenplay, best cinematography, best film score and best visual effects.

China's box office sales totaled 29.6 billion RMB ($4.84 billion) in 2014, attaining 36 percent growth compared to the previous year, according to the latest data released by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

As the second-largest film market after the United States, China has seen a great surge in the film industry. Last year, China gained 5,397 screens and 1,015 cinemas, and its annual box office sales surpassed 10 billion RMB. It is anticipated that box office sales will amount to over 30 billion RMB, and China will surpass the U.S to be the world largest film market.

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