A 5G network has been made available at the 9th Beijing International Film Festival, with the service available during the opening and closing ceremony and at the film carnival venues.

For the first time in the event's history, a 270-degree screen was used for the programs of the opening ceremony. China Media Group also provided coverage of the event through a 4K ultra-high definition video broadcast.

The 9th Beijing International Film Festival opens on Saturday, April 13, 2019. [Photo: CCTV]

Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group and Chairman of the organizing committee of the film festival, announced its opening on Saturday night.

The theme for this year's festival is "Home, Nation" in honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 9th Beijing International Film Festival on Saturday, April 13, 2019. [Photo: CCTV]

The Composer, the first Sino-Kazakh production depicting the final years of Chinese musician Xian Xinghai, opened the festival.

Fifteen films including China's sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth" and "Ben Is Back" from the United States will contend for prizes of 10 categories in the festival's "Tiantan Award."

More than 300 activities including performances of film scores and an Indian Film Week will be held during the festival, which will close on April 20.