Celebrating Chinese Films

The first-ever China Film Festival in Singapore got off to an exciting start with the screening of Dream Weavers – Beijing 2008 at Golden Village VivoCity on 9 December.

A documentary about the preparation for the Olympic Games, Dream Weavers is also China’s submission to the Academy Awards.

The China Film Festival, held as part of Asia Media Festival 2008 (AMF 2008), is an outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) during Singapore Season last October.

Among the guests at the opening ceremony were Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA; Mr Michael Yap, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, MDA; Mr Kenneth Tan, Chief Operating Officer, MDA; Madam Zhou Guizhen, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Bureau, SARFT; and Mr Zhu Qi, cultural attaché with the China Embassy.

In his welcome speech, Mr Tan noted the growing vibrancy in Singapore’s and China’s film industries and a recent participation by Singapore’s MediaCorp Raintree Pictures in the successful Chinese production, the supernatural period film Painted Skin.

“There is unlimited potential for both industries to excel,” he said. “The success stories are only just beginning.”

The China Film Festival runs till 15 December. For movie details and screening times, go to www.gv.com.sg.

Hosted by MDA, AMF 2008 continues this week at the Suntec Singapore with events such as the Asia Television Forum and Asian Television Awards. For more information, go to www.asiamediafestival.com

For latest updates on the media industry, log on to www.smf.sg

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