The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Australian Films to feature at Australia-China Film Co-Production Seminar

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced today ten more leading Australian feature films would be presented in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou later in 2005.

“On 10 September, the Australian Film Commission, together with the Australian Embassy and Consulates-General in China, will launch another series of Australian Film Festivals, in conjunction with title sponsors ANZ Bank (in Beijing and Shanghai) and Waratah Paints (in Guangzhou),” Senator Kemp announced.

“ Australia’s film industry produces top quality films enjoyed around the world. But Australian films are relatively unknown to Chinese audiences. We plan to change that.”

In 2004 the first ever Australian Film Festival was presented in the same 3 cities, generating strong interest in Australian cinema. That included interest from the Australian and Chinese film industries in expanding bilateral cooperation.

Senator Kemp made the announcement at a reception at the Australian Embassy for leaders of the Chinese film industry, including leading Chinese film-makers such as He Ping, Wang Xiaoshuai, Jia Zhangke and Chen Daming, and top executives of leading Chinese film production companies, including China Film Group, Huayi Brothers and Taihe, Century Hero and Poly Union.

“We also hope to see top film-makers from both countries working together on joint projects in the near future. To encourage and facilitate cooperative film-making, Australia and China have been negotiating a bilateral film co-production treaty over the past six months,” Senator Kemp said.

“We are planning to hold a bilateral Seminar in Beijing on 11 September, immediately following the Film Festival opening, to explain the benefits that flow from co-productions,” Senator Kemp said.

“This Seminar will be an opportunity for a selection of Australia's major producers to discuss co-production projects with Chinese counterparts.”

8 July 2005
Media contact: Michael Christo, Minister’s Office, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 040 276