The 12th Beijing International Film Festival, which is gaining increasing global influence in recent years, will be held in Beijing from Aug 13 to 20.

There will be an opening ceremony, a red carpet ceremony, a film carnival, a college student film festival, an award and closing ceremony, and themed forums.

"A total of 1,450 films from around the world are competing for the Tiantan Award this year, up 63 percent than last year. They have included 1,193 foreign films from 88 countries and regions," said Yu Junsheng, president of Beijing Radio & Television Station, and vice chairman and secretary general of the Organizing Committee of the 12th BJIFF, at a news conference on Thursday.

Around 48 cultural activities will be rolled out from Aug 14 to 27.