Natalie Portman. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The sixth annual Beijing International Film Festival rolled out its red carpet welcoming a star studded guest list which inlcudes Giuseppe Tornatore, Chow Yun-Fat, and Natalie Portman among many others as they gathered at Yanqi Lake.

Natalie Portman is appearing at the event to promote the film A Tale of Love and Darkness where she made her directing debut.

"I have been working in the film industry for over 20 years, and I have been wanting to direct my own film, now it's a dream come true. I hope the audience would like it," said Portman.

The film will be shown at the film panorama section. 

Portman will participate in the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum on Sunday, where she will be joined by James Schamus, Iain Smith and two other directors.