Media release
30 June 2011

New Zealand film and screen industry invited to attend Asia-Pacific Producers forum

Hosted by Film Auckland, the annual symposium of the Asia-Pacific Producers Network (APN) is being held in New Zealand for the first time from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 November 2011.

Registration is now open for members of New Zealand’s film and screen industry to attend a forum with network members on Sunday 13 November at UNITEC.

“With over 50 of the most senior screen producers, studios and distributors in Asia coming to Auckland, this is a fantastic opportunity for the local industry to make new connections,” says Michael Brook, Film Auckland Manager.

The forum will open with a keynote address, followed by local industry leader discussions on production, co-production, post-production, cross-cultural storytelling and an afternoon pitching session.

As the screen industry becomes more global, Asia has been recognised as an area for growth – China’s box office grew 61 per cent in the last year alone.

APN was formed in 2005 to encourage co-productions, collaboration and joint projects. The forum offers a chance to develop relationships and generate new projects and partnerships between the film and screen industry across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Hosting the symposium in New Zealand is an opportunity for the Asian industry to learn first hand why we are so highly regarded on the international stage,” says Paul Carran, President of APN.

“Delegates are looking for New Zealand partners to make English language films that appeal to wider markets than their own. We encourage New Zealand’s screen industry to take advantage of this unique opportunity and register for the forum now.”

Mayor Len Brown says, “The screen industry in New Zealand is a key export earner. Film Auckland has been developing networks in Asia with both industry and government over a number of years and Auckland is proud to be hosting this important industry event.”

The symposium is made possible with the generous support of core funder Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, gold sponsor UNITEC and funding partners Film New Zealand, the Ministry of Economic Development, the New Zealand Film Commission and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

For more information and to register visit www.filmauckland.com/apn

Ends

Notes to editor

The NZ and Asian film industry has been developing a solid relationship over a number of years and has produced a number of key projects with Asian partners or investors. These include Black Sheep (Korea), The Tattooist (Singapore), The Warrior’s Way (Korea) and The World’s Fastest Indian (Japan).

New Zealand has recently signed co-production treaties with South Korea and China which have already resulted in a number of projects that are in the process of obtaining funding or approval for co-production.

Film Auckland, is the film office for the Auckland region. It is the first point of contact for the Auckland screen production industry, facilitating access to Auckland and New Zealand's vast network of experienced and innovative screen production professionals.

© Scoop Media