An official delegation of Australian film producers, bureaucrats and film service company representatives are heading to China for the third round of formal meetings in four years.

The Australia-China Film Industry Forum will be held to coincide with the Shanghai International Film Festival, which runs June 15 to 23 (March 31 is the submission deadline). The Australian Embassy in Beijing is working on the organization of the event in conjunction with the Shanghai Media and Entertainment Group.

To capitalise on the growing interest in and demand for 3D films and advanced digital technologies in China, and to highlight the strengths of Australia’s post-production sector, this year’s forum will focus on 3D, post-production, and digital and visual effects.

It will feature panel discussions, workshops and networking events with the overall aim being to encourage communication and exchange knowledge in the hope that this will lead to personal and organisational relationships and production deals providing benefits to both countries.

The Australian Government’s film development and investment agency Screen Australia, the Screen Producers Association of Australia, the marketing body AusFilm and the Australia-China Screen Alliance are all involved; the current priority is to find the right delegates.

The Dragon Pearl and 33 Postcards [pictured] are the only films that have been made under Australia’s treaty with China, which came into force in 2008. The only other Asian treaty is with Singapore but negotiations continue with India, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea. Bait 3D was made under the Singapore treaty.

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