April 21st, 2015

（From Xinhua Net）The news conference of the second China-Australia International Film Festival (CAIFF) was held in Beijing on April 21. The “China-Australia International Film Festival” (CAIFF) organizing committee announced the second “China-Australia International Film Festival” will be held from October 16 to 23 this year in Brisbane, Australia. The organizing committee said, through this platform, there will be more excellent films, promoting more forward-looking and profit-oriented co-production films and further embodying the ideals of the film festival.

The festival aims to fill the vacuum of large film festivals in Australia and recognize outstanding international films and promote academic exchanges among filmmakers worldwide. Meanwhile, the festival will promote cooperation amongst international film projects, exchanges between films and investors, and within the film industry chain, establishing platform between the industry and investors in order to integrate the industry’s chain and initiate more competition and cooperation.

Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation Executive Vice Chairman Xiao Wunan said in his speech in the face of the venturing out new strategy and under the current international and domestic situation, culture and soft power play a more and more important role shaping a country’s image. Co-hosting a film festival is far more than just about movies, it has become a comprehensive and an innovative way of promoting a country’s image, an expression of soft power and public diplomacy.

The festival main activities are: “Gold Acacia Award” prize, Chinese-Australian film screenings academic and industry forums, movie stars meeting fans and opening and closing ceremonies, etc.

The “Gold Acacia Award” will choose the best animation, best short movie, best actor, best actress, best screenplay, best cinematography, best director, the jury special award and outstanding contribution, totaling 12 awards. Films eligible for awards include those made between November 1, 2004 and September 30, 2015 produced by either side or co-produced by both sides, feature films, documentaries, children’s films, animation and short films. The registration deadline is September 30, 2015.

The “China-Australia International Film Festival” is co-sponsored by the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television, the Austway Group in Australia, Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, Beijing Liu Culture Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Association of Chinese Filmmakers, Australian Film Bureau, Film Academy of Australia Griffith University in collaboration with the Chinese consulate general in Brisbane. The Festival is supported by UNESCO.

Mr. Zhang Hongsen, Director of the Film Bureau of the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television, was chairman of the film festival’s organizing committee. Mr. Luo Zhiguo, Deputy Director of the Film Bureau of the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television, General Ming Zhenjiang, Executive Director-General of China Film Producers’ Association and Vice Chairman of China Film Association, Mr. Xiao Wunan, Executive Vice Chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange & Cooperation Foundation, Dr. Zhao Yongshen, Consul -General of China in Brisbane, Mr. John Kirby, Vice President of Australia Village Roadshow Group, Mr. Xu Chaoping, Chairman of Movie Television Media Association of Macau, Ms. Liu Xiuhua, President of Austway International Group from Australia, served as Vice Chairmen of the organizing committee.

The review of the first China-Australia International Film Festival:

The first “China-Australia International Film Festival” was held on the sideline of the G20 summit in Brisbane in 2014. Media of both countries covered the film festival, resulting in positive response. The film festival was covered by China CCTV “News Broadcast”, “Morning News”, “News 30 Minutes”, “Evening News”, Xinhua Network, CCTV net, People’s Daily online, Guangming Net, China Net, Sohu Entertainment Net. Shandong TV broadcast the festival closing ceremony. In addition, during the festival several forums of the China-Australia film cooperation were held. The Chinese film producers association and the Australian film and TV producers association signed a memorandum of cooperation, laying a good foundation for the two countries’ film making industries and future development.

The Chinese film “Nightingale” nominated in 2014 for an Oscar, won the best picture award. Li Baotian won the best actor award for his outstanding performance in the film. The Jury prize went to ‘Chinese Partner’ and ‘Before the Destination’(Australia) won the best director, ‘Cure’ (Australia) best cinematography, ‘Tibetan Sky’ won the best screenplay and best ethnic film award. ‘Ouroboros’ (Australia) won the best short film award, and Tong Liya with ‘Beijing Love Story’ won the best actress at the film festival. Herman, the dean and a professor of Griffith university in Australia won the best contribution award.