October 1, 2010 – British Columbia Film and the China Film Producers’ Association signed a memorandum of understanding during the Vancouver International Film Festival’s Film and Television Forum. The agreement expresses the shared intention of encouraging collaboration between film, television and digital media producers in British Columbia and China.

“We believe China and British Columbia can benefit enormously from the knowledge and expertise of each other’s industries. Canadians see China as an essential partner in a world of interrelated economies and cultures,” says Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “Sharing our collective experience through film and television can be an effective way of nurturing this partnership.”

“We are excited at the prospect of developing relationships with Canadian producers,” says Wang Fenglin, Secretary General of CFPA. “Our countries have much to offer each other and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

BC Film and the CFPA will work together to identify areas where collaborations will result in the development of business relationships between China and British Columbia. The organizations will maintain regular contact, informing each other of industry developments and assisting companies to do business in each others’ jurisdictions.

"The Forum is delighted to have collaborated with BC Film on bringing this Chinese delegation to the VIFF" says Forum Producer, Fran Bergin. "The MOU will strengthen relations between China and Canada, encourage co-productions/co-ventures and showcase the advantages of Vancouver as a major film and television production centre." 

British Columbia Film is an independent, not-for-profit society established by the provincial government in 1987. It has the mandate to expand and diversify the film, television and digital media sector in British Columbia.

The China Film Producers’ Association is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1989. It currently has 103 members and serves as a link between Government, film producers and the Chinese people – encouraging direct and efficient access to the market for domestic Chinese films.

The Vancouver Film & TV Forum, the largest event of its kind in western Canada, takes place annually during the Vancouver International Film Festival. Its mandate is to develop and strengthen the Canadian film and television industry and to help local filmmakers produce quality product for domestic and international markets.

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For more information, contact:

Kristen Lukovich

Manager, Communications & Industry Initiatives, British Columbia Film 

or 604.736.7997