China Film Festival a major coup for Dunedin

China Film Festival a major coup for Dunedin

Dunedin (Thursday, 9 February 2017) – The Dunedin City Council is thrilled to announce that the city will host New Zealand's first ever official China Film Festival in March/April 2017.

Partnering with the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Shanghai office and the Shanghai Art Film Festival (SAFF), the DCC has secured six new release feature movies to play at the festival which will be held at the Regent Theatre from March 31 to April 2.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, "Hosting this festival is a major coup for Dunedin. It reflects our city's increasingly outward looking focus and heightened consciousness of our Chinese heritage. It is also an opportunity to further develop creative, cultural and commercial collaboration between Dunedin and our sister city Shanghai."

The idea for the China Film Festival came about after the presentation of a New Zealand Film Festival in Shanghai in 2016, which included films such as An Angel at My Table and In My Father's Den, both of which were filmed in Otago.

"The SAFF was keen to reciprocate and given Dunedin's exceptionally close links with our sister city Shanghai, we were invited to be the host city for the China Film Festival," says Mr Cull.

A high level delegation from China, including political and film industry representatives, will travel to Dunedin for the event.

Enterprise Dunedin Director John Christie says as well as further cementing the strong ties between Dunedin and China – particularly sister city Shanghai – the festival is an opportunity to showcase the city.

Mr Christie says distinguished television and film director Teng Junjie and executives from Shanghai Media Group, one of China's largest media and cultural conglomerates, will be part of the visiting delegation.

Enterprise Dunedin and Shanghai Media Group last year signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at making it easier for Chinese production companies to film in Dunedin and Otago, allowing the region to be better showcased to the Chinese market.

"These are major players in one of the world's largest economies. To have them visit Dunedin is a great chance to facilitate relationships with local film industry representatives and develop further opportunities to work together in future."

Two Shanghai journalists will also visit Dunedin during the festival to report on the strength of the sister city relationship.

Mr Christie says the DCC, through Enterprise Dunedin, will market and promote the festival. "As well as promoting this event to local audiences, we will be promoting it nationally and into Australia, particularly to Chinese communities across the Tasman," he says.

New Zealand Film Commission Chief Executive Dave Gibson says, "Shanghai is well known as the birthplace of Chinese cinema, with a long a proud history of outstanding films and strong international connections.

"We greatly value our close relationships with Shanghai officials and industry, who share the NZFC's passion for more creative, cultural and commercial collaboration between our industries.

"On behalf of the NZFC, I wish the festival every success and look forward to exciting outcomes for Dunedin and New Zealand," says Mr Gibson.

The China Film Festival will open on Friday, March 31 with a mayoral reception and red carpet at the Regent Theatre and plans for celebrations in The Octagon.

The six festival films (all subtitled) – Farewell My Concubine, IP Man 3, Soul Mate, Cock & Bull, Shanghai Park and Time Raiders – will screen over three days.

Tickets prices start from $15 and will be available from The Regent Theatre and online from Ticket Direct and the Regent Theatre's website from next week.

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