Developing film ties

New Zealand and China have further strengthened their relations with a film agreement to host more Chinese-produced films in New Zealand. The agreement, made between the two nations in Shanghai and led by a delegation from Auckland, is a potential step toward a widely-expected film co-productions treaty between the two countries. The agreement was struck during a week-long trip by the delegation in China and comes alongside a New Zealand Film Festival in China led by mayor of Waitakere City Bob Harvey and Film Auckland board member Pete Rive. “This is an extremely heartening move that will ensure greater communications, co-operation and co-productions between the Chinese and New Zealand film industries,” Film Auckland executive manager Michael Brook said. The New Zealand Film Festival will travel this month to Beijing, Ningbo and Shanghai, where it will coincide with the Shanghai International Film Festival, which runs June 12—2.