AACTA showcases the Australian screen industry at the Shanghai Film Festival Film Market

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has hosted a major industry forum as part of the Shanghai International Film Festival Film Market, placing Australia’s screen capability firmly in front of Chinese industry leaders.

Presented by AACTA with the support of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the Filming in Australia: Incentives, Facilities and Co-Production Opportunities forum brought together leading screen industry figures from Australia and China for an in-depth discussion on how international productions can film, partner, finance and post in Australia.

Held at the historic Shanghai Exhibition Centre, the event formed part of AACTA’s ongoing Asia-Pacific engagement program, which spanned a week of Australian screen activity in China including the China Premiere of Warwick Thornton’s Wolfram, followed by further screenings and industry engagement in Chengdu and Guangzhou.

The Shanghai forum featured Liu Kailuo, Producer/Executive Producer and President of Dengfeng International; Jack Christian, AACTA Chair; Geng Ling, Founder and CEO of Soundfirm Beijing; and acclaimed Australian producers Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey.

The forum covered the full production pathway for international producers considering Australia, including federal and state-based screen incentives, production financing structures, studio facilities, locations, post-production capability and co-production opportunities.

Liu Kailuo spoke from the perspective of one of China’s leading producer/executive producers, drawing on his experience across Heyi Pictures, Youku, Wanda Pictures and Galloping Horse Pictures, as well as major titles including The Wandering Earth series, Meg 2: The Trench and Bleeding Steel, the China-Australia collaboration starring Jackie Chan.

Geng Ling talked through opportunities in post-production, sound and digital screen services, drawing on a career spanning major Chinese and international films including Hero, Mao’s Last Dancer and Pali Road, and her work establishing Soundfirm Beijing.

Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey brought the perspective of acclaimed Australian producers behind internationally recognised screen work including Sweet Country, Mystery Road, Goldstone, The Drover’s Wife, Wolfram and the upcoming UK/Australian co-production Prima Facie.

AACTA Chair Jack Christian said: “Australia is an increasingly important partner for international producers looking for production value, reliable infrastructure and sophisticated screen partners. We have world-class crews, diverse locations, strong federal and state incentives, studio infrastructure, post-production expertise and producers who understand how to deliver projects for a global market. 

“Through the Australian Academy’s work in Shanghai, we are building direct connections between that Australian capability and Chinese and Asia-Pacific producers seeking practical pathways into production, post-production and co-production.”