On December 29, the Award Ceremony of the 5th “Beijing - A Global City” Short Video Contest was held at the China National Film Museum.
After the expert panel reviews, Tolstoy’s Fantastic Journey in Beijing andChina Travel in Beijing were awarded the First Prize. Five entries, including Don’t Call Me a Foreigner, I’m One of BeijingFun Locals, won the Second Prize. Ten videos, such asBeijing’s New Industrial Landscape from an International Perspective, were honored with the Third Prize. An additional 20 entries, among them From the Central Axis to the BMC: My Exploration of Beijing, received the Outstanding Individual Award. The ceremony also saw the presentation of the Special Award, Outstanding Organization Award, and Outstanding Instructor Award.
This year’s contest was hosted by the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, with guidance from the Bureau of Public Information and Communication of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and the Department of Press, Communication and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since its launch on April 28, the contest has received more than 280 high-quality entries from participants across over 50 countries and regions. Compared with previous editions, this year’s contest stands out for its international vibe. The submissions portray, from multiple perspectives, the experiences of foreign friends, encompassing work, life, travel, and cultural engagements in Beijing, vividly showcasing the city’s openness and inclusiveness. The entries also demonstrate a stronger contemporary relevance. Closely aligned with the development of the capital in the new era, the works cover a wide range of themes—from advanced robotics and autonomous driving to urban renewal, innovation and entrepreneurship, and international sporting events—capturing the vibrant pulse of life in Beijing. In addition, the narrative approach is increasingly technology-driven, with the creative use of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) technology leading to new breakthroughs in both the content and expressive modes of the contest.
Signature activities, such as theme-based video production and on-site shooting, were further enhanced. International influencers and journalists from major foreign media outlets were invited to iconic venues including the 4S store for embodied AI robots, Pony.ai Future Mobility Experience Center, and the “Magic World” AI New Quality Industrial Community. By engaging with novel applications of cutting-edge technology in new scenarios, they gained a first-hand experience of Beijing’s robust innovation and dynamic vitality as a global city.
This year’s contest also expanded its outreach to universities. Expert judges and outstanding instructors from previous editions were invited to nine universities, including the Beijing Film Academy, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, and Beijing International Studies University. In interactions with faculty and students, they explored key topics in short video creation, such as “how to tell Beijing’s story from an international perspective” and “emotional connection is the true ‘universal language’ that transcends linguistic barriers”.
As a flagship initiative for shaping and promoting Beijing’s image as a global city, the “Beijing - A Global City” Short Video Contest has, since its launch in 2021, attracted content creators from more than 100 countries and regions. To date, it has collected over a thousand high-quality short video entries, presenting an inclusive, open, and confident Beijing as the capital of a major country through diverse perspectives and multidimensional storytelling.
