Cinematic gala shines with stars in Beijing's spring

Former NBA star Stephon Marbury walks alongside Korean pop star Jessica Jung, who co-stars with Marbury in his upcoming biographical movie New Yorker in Beijing. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

"Chinese films are strong and powerful. But I have yet to work out a plan. It would be wonderful to work with Chinese actors or filmmakers," she says.

Meanwhile, as megastars and films grab eyeballs at the festival, industry sources sense a number of opportunities.

Statistics from the Film Market, a major section of the festival, show that its three-day exhibition, from April 19-21, has attracted more than 200 film companies, including top studios and special-effects developers from the US, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and Australia.

Project Pitches, an incubator for programs with market potential, has received 674 entries, up 48 percent year on year.

Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun says that the Chinese capital is a home to most of the country's top film talent.