AFFA05 Opens Tonight

AFFA05 Opens Tonight

The Asia Film Festival Aotearoa 2005 (AFFA05), organised by the Asia New Zealand Film Foundation Trust (ANZFFT), officially opens today, Friday 20 May.

The opening celebrations will be held at the Pioneer Women?s Hall this evening from 5.30 ? 7pm. A surprise cultural performance is sure to keep guests entertained and a special limited-entry screening of the 2005 Thai film 'Beautiful Boxer' takes place at the Academy Cinema from 7.30pm. His Excellency Ambassador Norachit, the Honourable Chris Carter and Ekachai Uekrongtham, director of 'Beautiful Boxer', will be present on the night. Tiger Beer and Phoenix will supply drinks while catering is being looked after by Wagamamas.

Photo opportunities will be available.

The University of Auckland is holding a free seminar on Friday 20 May, 1 - 2pm, as part of AFFA05. Director Ekachai Uekrongtham, director of the Thai film, 'Beautiful Boxer', will discuss the film industry in Thailand. To attend this free public lecture meet at the Film, TV & Media Studies Dept, Level 3, Arts 1 Building, Symonds Street, Auckland.

The Asia Film Festival Aotearoa 2005 will screen at the Academy Cinema between 20 May - 1 June. Twenty-eight carefully selected films from across Asia China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Israel, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka are represented through the films. The Asian diaspora is portrayed through films from Canada, USA and New Zealand.

For more information about AFFA05 please contact Sapna Samant, Festival Organiser, on 021 114 3597, email media@anzfft.org.nz or visit http://www.anzfft.org.nz.

Also visit the Academy Cinema’s website: http://www.academy-cinema.co.nz.

AFFA05 is proud to be sponsored by: PlanetFM 104.6, DHL Worldwide Express, 3A Copy & Design Ltd, Mirchee Digital, WTV, Phoenix Organic, Tiger Beer, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Timeline Productions, Asia NZ Foundation, Wagamama, Royal Thai Embassy Wellington.

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