Beijing, 8 May 2017:  At the 2017 Beijing International Film Festival, IWC Schaffhausen hosted an exclusive “For the Love of Cinema” gala dinner to celebrate the achievements of young Chinese filmmakers. Among the celebrities and VIP guests attending the event at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing were IWC brand ambassadors Zhou Xun and 2017 Academy Award nominee Dev Patel. In one of many highlights of the evening, Chinese film director Derek Tsang (Zeng Guoxiang) was awarded the prestigious IWC Outstanding Young Filmmaker of the Year Award.

Both cinema and fine watchmaking are all about stories and emotions, and they draw on the creativity of many individuals to create exceptional work. Based on these similarities, IWC Schaffhausen has established a strong presence in the worldwide film industry in recent years. A focal point for the Swiss watchmaker’s commitment to cinema is China, which is predicted to become the largest film market in the world in 2017. For the fifth consecutive year now, IWC has therefore partnered with the acclaimed Beijing International Film Festival. “With their immense talent and diversity, Chinese filmmakers are self-confidently claiming their place in the world of film.

As a partner of this wonderful festival, we are excited to witness the incredible growth and evolution of the Chinese film industry first-hand”, explained Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen. As a part of the official festival programme, IWC hosted an exclusive “For the Love of Cinema” gala dinner at the Imperial Ancestral Temple just outside the Forbidden City in Beijing. The event highlighted the contribution of young filmmakers to the country’s booming film industry and against the backdrop of a long-standing tradition of Chinese film. This underlying theme extended to the event’s design, as guests moved from the traditional Chinese cocktail area into the more modern dinner reception hall through a dramatic light installation tunnel created by acclaimed lighting designer Javier Tan.

Among the many other celebrities who attended were Chen Jianbin, Jiang Qinqin, Chen Bolin, Zhang Ruoyun, Zhang Zilin and Zhang Junning. A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award which honours exceptional personalities and their contributions to the film industry. Chinese film director Derek Tsang (Zeng Guoxiang), who most recently directed the Chinese romantic drama “Soul Mate”, was awarded the prestigious IWC Outstanding Young Filmmaker of the Year Award. The programme included performances by the Beijing Orchestra, who treated guests to their interpretations of famous Chinese movie soundtracks, and later a final show by singer Jane Zhang as well.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of Haute Horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.