Wang Liping, deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee of Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), extended invitation to filmmakers worldwide to attend the 5th BJIFF next April. Li Na / China Daily

Taking advantage of the movie industry movers and shakers attending the 39th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), representatives from the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) held a promotional news conference on Tuesday in Toronto to encourage members of the global film community to attend Beijing's next film gala.

"We welcome the filmmakers worldwide to gather in Beijing next April," said Wang Liping, deputy secretary general of the organizing committee of the BJIFF. "We hope BJIFF can build a demonstration and trading platform for movie production for China and the rest of world."

"We expect the future cooperation with the TIFF here. Through international industry collaboration, BJIFF will forge toward a signature global film festival and world class cultural brand." Wang added.

Cameron Bailey, artistic director of the TIFF, Lisa de Wilde, chair of the board of directors of the TIFF, the Chinese Consul General in Toronto Fang Li, and numerous directors, producers and filmmakers attended the event.

According Wang, over 3,000 guests from more than 1,000 Chinese and foreign film institutions attended the 4th BJIFF this past April. A total of 837 films from 88 countries and regions registered for the 4th BJIFF to compete for the coveted Tiantan Awards. Fifteen films from 15 countries were nominated for the awards. Over 500 world-renowned movie stars, directors and celebrities such as John Woo, Jean Reno, Alfonso Cuarón, Oliver Stone, Zhang Yimou, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Adrien Brody, Rob Minkoff, Huang Xiaoming and Song Hye-kyo attended the 4th BJIFF this year.