NHNZ to Film inside China’s Elite Acrobatic School

For immediate release October 11 2006

NHNZ to Film inside China’s Elite Acrobatic School

The Dunedin-based company is the first western media organisation to be invited to film the traditions and training of one of China’s elite and ancient acrobat schools.

China Circus, comprising two one-hour specials is being produced by NHNZ in partnership with CICC in China, National Geographic Channels International and United States broadcaster Voom Media. Off The Fence BV is distributing the program worldwide and is available for pre-sales discussions.

Producer of China Circus, Jayashree Panjabi says the program will follow several students of China’s prestigious Wuqiao School of Acrobatic Arts as they undergo the School’s gruelling training regime.

“The Wuqiao School has granted NHNZ an incredible level of access to their young pupils. Aside from the amazing acrobatic feats these young athletes master, what will astound western viewers is their level of dedication and commitment to their art, even as seven and eight-year-olds.”

NHNZ’s Managing Director Michael Stedman says the access granted to the company by the Wuqiao School and other Chinese organisations for the making of China Circus demonstrates the high regard in which NHNZ is held in China.

“China Circus will be a colourful and spectacular film, but more importantly, it will showcase a side of Chinese culture that is relatively unknown to western audiences. CICC is one of the most successful documentary film production houses of China; being able to make this film with them is a wonderful privilege and proves that NHNZ is the production company trusted by the Chinese people to take their stories to the world.”

CICC’s Vice President Ms. Yuan Lili says NHNZ is the most important co-production partner for CICC. She adds that her organisation has immensely enjoyed working with NHNZ on a range of film projects in China and values the success that this partnership has brought CICC. “China Circus is the first film that CICC and NHNZ have co-produced with National Geographic Channels International and Voom Media and we appreciate NHNZ’s enormous experience and expertise in the world market.”

NHNZ is one of the world’s leading producers of factual programming embracing the genres of nature, health, science, adventure and people. With over 70 programmes currently in production, NHNZ crews work in locations around the world to produce a diversity of films for international broadcasters including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Voom Media, BSkyB, National Geographic Channel, HGTV, France 5, NHK in Japan and ZDF and Kabel One in Germany. Based in Dunedin, New Zealand, the company is wholly owned by Fox Television Studios.

ENDS

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