Film Auckland plays host to Chinese film studio

Media Release

15 July 2010

Film Auckland plays host to major Chinese film studio

Following hot on the heels of the Co-Production Treaty signed last week in China between New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, and the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, Film Auckland hosted the Head of Hengdian Film Studios, Mr Liu Zhijiang.

Hengdian Studio is a substantial player in film & television production in China and boasts a 1:1 scale set of the very impressive Forbidden City. In addition to a substantial infrastructure the studios has creative talent, such as directors and writers, under contract.

Michael Brook, the Executive Manager of Film Auckland said, “It is great that this visit from Hengdian has come about from the recent trade delegation. We are forging strong links with key industry players in China and they are all genuinely interested in doing business with New Zealand.”

From 2008 – 2009 the Chinese box office grew by a massive 42% and in the first quarter of this year continued to climb again by another 80%. Film Auckland recognises that this massive growth is unmatched anywhere else in the World and is supported by a Chinese government determined to exceed the US box office within a decade or less.

Film Auckland with the support of Waitakere City, and the Mayor Bob Harvey, led a delegation in 2007 that first established relationships with Chinese film officials. The delegation was organised by Waitakere City Council, and Mr Jim He, of the Pacific Culture and Arts Exchange Centre, with support from Film Auckland. It was at that time that Film Auckland realised the enormous potential of co-productions with China and began to lobby the New Zealand government for a Co-production Treaty with China.

Film Auckland Board member, Pete Rive, and Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey, recently led another delegation to China in June to prepare for the eagerly anticipated Co-production Treaty. Rive said, “This is very exciting for the New Zealand film industry and there are a number of co-production projects already in development. This is precisely the sort of support we need from our government to underpin our existing work for APN, (the Asia Pacific Producer’s Network) that we will host in Auckland in 2011.”

Film Auckland continues to build up close relationships with Chinese producers and film officials and supports the bi-annual New Zealand film festivals in China, and Chinese film festivals in New Zealand. The festivals provide a high level diplomacy with China and have connected the industry with senior Chinese film officials who have appreciated the reciprocal arrangement. 

ENDS

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