By Valerie Turpin

From writing division professors visiting Russia to IML’s relationship with Effat University in Saudi Arabia and the global outreach of the American Film Showcase, The School of Cinematic Arts has made incredible strides in the realm of international relations. Students from around the globe study at SCA, with one of the largest populations originating from China.  As one of SCA’s leading professors interested in both continuing and expanding this discussion between SCA and its international outreach, Associate Professor of Practice Jason E. Squire visited Beijing over winter break for various events and honors.

During its 25th Anniversary Celebration, Beijing Film Academy’s Management Department appointed Squire as the first-ever Visiting Professor. Shortly after, he was appointed Director, Study Center of the Hollywood Industrial System of Beijing Film Academy to analyze issues and trends of the global movie business and enhance cooperation between the Chinese-language industry and the English-language industry.

Of his relationship with Beijing Film Academy, Squire noted, “BFA has been very supportive of my scholarly work. It's stimulating to be on the BFA campus with faculty and students because we all speak the same language: cinema. It's a global business, so the industrial issues studied by students in the U.S. are similar to the ones studied in China. Students in both countries are fascinated by the similarities and differences in both systems.”

Founded in 1950, Beijing Film Academy is the largest institution of higher learning for film and television production in Asia. Its credo is translated as "respecting teachers and esteeming truth, our tradition will pass down from generation to generation."  Among BFA alumni are Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers), Chan Kaige (Farewell, My Concubine) and Tian Zhuangzhuang (The Warrior and the Wolf).

Squire also attended the ceremony establishing the Beijing Film Academy Alumni Association featuring speeches by administrators, alumni and dignitaries, including the mayor of Beijing. At the dedication of BFA's new Executive Development Program (EDP), Squire presented the inaugural lecture "Movie Business Fundamentals," part of "The International Training Workshop of TV and Movie Industry Financial Investment; TV & Movie Industry and Financial Investor Workshop" to a gathering of executives and investors.

“It's all very exciting,” said Squire of his involvement with Beijing Film Academy. “It was impressive to meet one colleague whose specialty is movie theatre management, something rare in the U.S. The China movie market is growing by leaps and bounds.”