The Australia-China International Film Festival recently concluded in Adelaide, leaving a trail of excitement and anticipation for future cooperation between the two countries’ film industries. The festival showcased China’s burgeoning film scene and provided a platform for filmmakers from both countries to explore new avenues of cross-cultural partnership. One of the big highlights was the debut of the Chinese cultural monster film “Nian,” which created a lot of buzz among major producers and filmmakers.
Li Dong, Consul General of China in Adelaide, spoke about the growing cultural exchanges and said, “Film festivals are an effective tool to promote mutual understanding between the two countries and a good way to showcase the richness of Chinese culture.” said. He added that a diverse selection of Chinese films would give Australian audiences a true glimpse into modern China.
Former Australian Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Andrew Robb advocated for policies to encourage international film production in Australia, particularly by China. Mr Robb highlighted Australia’s “rapidly developing film industry and excellent infrastructure”, including major film and television production hubs in Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. These venues have previously staged global hits such as “Aquaman” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Tony Coombs, CEO of Harvest Pictures Group, which has been promoting film exchange for more than 10 years, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with representatives of the Chinese film industry to adapt “Mountains and Seascapes” into a film. “We are thrilled to be working with talented writers like Liu Yi. China has a rich history of storytelling and working with Australia will help us strengthen this.”
At the signing ceremony for the film “Nian,” based on ancient Chinese mythology, Liu Yi, the famous screenwriter of “Wolf Warrior 1” and “Wolf Warrior 2,” will collaborate with Coombs to bring the story to a global audience. I did. Coombs also pointed to the growing global interest in Chinese-themed film and television content, citing examples such as “The Black Myth Goku” and “The Three-Body Problem,” which have received international attention. also mentioned.
Another initiative that blends traditional Chinese culture with modern entertainment is the Australia-China joint project ‘The Beast’. With the participation of international production talent and companies, the project aims to create a lasting cultural legacy similar to Godzilla and Pokémon. “The Beast” will cover movies, games, and animation, and will focus on global distribution.
The “Nian” project has great expectations for China-Australia cooperation, with the first concept images and pilot film scheduled for global release in 2025. The festival marks an important step in the continued exchange between the two countries’ film industries, and this collaboration is poised to shape the future of international cinema.