The Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) is in the process of registering an "A-Level" international film festival and expects approval from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) next month, Chinesefilms.cn reports.

BJIFF aims to become a top international film festival, following the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), in the 12 listed "A" or "category one" international film festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Moscow, San Sebastian, Montreal, Locarno, Karlovy Vary, Mar del Plata, Cairo, Tokyo and Warsaw.

The organizing committee of the BJIFF applied to the State Administration of Radio, TV and Television (SARFT) for approval to upgrade and set up awards on December 27, 2011. After the Central Propaganda Department received the application from SARFT, it eventually approved it on February 14.

On March 20, a press conference for the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival was held in Beijing, revealing a new logo and prominent guest list. The new logo was presented by Luan Guozhi, Deputy Inspector of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television; Zhang Miao, Vice Minister of the Propaganda Department of Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Vice President of Organizing Committee for the BJIFF; Li Chunliang, Commissioner of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio, Film and Television (BMRFT) and Vice Chairman of the BJIFF; Pang Wei, Deputy Commissioner of BMRFT and Vice Secretary of the BJIFF; and Lu Yimin, General Manager of China Unicom and Vice president of the Organizing Committee for the BJIFF.

The second BJIFF will enjoy a star-studded guest list, including James Cameron, one of the biggest names in the world of cinema and director of the internationally renowned blockbuster "Avatar." He is scheduled to walk the red carpet on opening night and join the Film Magic•Beijing Forum the next day to discuss the 3-D movie industry with other professionals.

The film festival, which includes the opening ceremony, Beijing film panorama, Film Magic•Beijing forum, Beijing film market, film music concert, film carnival, closing ceremony and other related events, will run April 23-28 at Beijing Olympic Park.

Based in Paris and created in 1933, the FIAPF is an organization composed of 31 member associations from 25 of the leading audiovisual production countries. It is also in charge of supervising international film festivals, including some of the world's most important ones.

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