Project manager Xing Yu tells us what to expect at the Beijing International Movie Festival, going on at various venues around Beijing through Oct. 18. This weekend's activities are at Marriot Hotel Northeast from 6:30pm. Check out the entire schedule at www.beijingfilmfest.org. Entrance is free.

Which film are you most excited about in this year’s festival? Xiang Yong Bu Mian (相拥不眠), an art house drama about gay and straight love set in an illegal brick kiln. The story is very true to life, and the film is really more about human nature than pure love. It focuses on people in the lowest levels of society, whose ideas of “romance” and “survival” have developed in different ways because of the environment they live in and were raised in. The actors’ performances are excellent, and very natural.

As an artist yourself, what are your thoughts on China’s indie film scene? There are a lot of indie directors now who are trying to make blockbuster-style films. Part of the reason is that the directors are impatient—they want to break into commercial film. But I think they’re thinking too much about money, and box office ratings, and it affects the films they produce. On the other hand, there are some really excellent indie films that have shown well both here and internationally.

Why does the Beijing International Movie Festival focus on bringing foreign films to China? Although you can see a number of good Chinese films here, it’s difficult to find truly excellent foreign films. We want to expose Chinese audiences to great foreign indie films.

Which director are you most excited about? Chris Doyle. He’s well known as a photographer and has worked with directors like Wong Kar Wai, Stephen Chow, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. But he makes his own films as well.

DETAILS

What: Beijing International Movie Festival

Where: Marriot Hotel Northeast; Hot Cat Club; Home Plate BBQ

When: through Oct. 18

Web: www.beijingfilmfest.org