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.

Jackie Chan to Help Open 2005 Australian Film Festival Series

“Martial Arts superstar Jackie Chan has accepted an invitation to be International Patron of the 2005 Australian Film Festival series,” the Australian Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced today in Beijing.

“Jackie will join a host of Australian and Chinese film industry personalities to inaugurate the series at an Opening Night Gala on 10 September.”

Speaking from Hong Kong, Jackie said: “I am very pleased to be given this honour, and I hope that through my support I can help interest more Chinese people in Australian films. I also look forward to joining some of the leading film-makers from Australia and China to open the 2005 Australian Film Festival series, and encourage everyone to come and enjoy some of the excellent films being presented.”

Jackie Chan has had a long and close association with Australia. His family migrated to Australia in 1960, and his parents have lived in Canberra ever since. Jackie lived in Australia in 1976 and 1977, before returning to Hong Kong and film stardom. His English name, Jackie, was given to him by his Australian workmates during his time in Australia. Jackie visits Australia often and maintains close links with Australia.

In addition, Jackie has considerable experience with the Australian film industry, having made two films in Australia - First Strike on the Gold Coast during 1996 and Mr Nice Guy in Melbourne in 1997. He also has often taken advantage of Australia’s state-of-the-art post-production facilities to finish his films.

“Jackie occupies an almost unique place as a bridge between Australia (his parents’ adopted home) and China (his ancestral home) in the field of film,” Senator Kemp said. “His experience making films in Australia also makes him the ideal choice for International Patron of our Australian Film Festival series in China.”

Australia will present 10 leading Australian films from the past five years in Australian Film Festivals in Beijing (September), Shanghai (November) and Guangzhou (December). Last year audiences totaling nearly 10,000 enjoyed another 10 top Australian films in the first ever Australian Film Festivals held in China. This year’s Festivals are presented with the generous support of title sponsors ANZ Bank (for Festivals in Beijing and Shanghai) and Waratah Paints (for Guangzhou).

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