Ten representatives of the Chinese film industry are attending the Nashville Film Festival this week to explore the impact of U.S. film festivals on the film industry and to begin to establish relationships with Tennessee filmmakers and film-related businesses. The official visit is a partnership between the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission and the Nashville Film Festival.
“We are thrilled to host these important business and film executives,” said Ted Crockett, Executive Director of the Nashville Film Festival. “The Chinese delegates will spend nearly three days with us, present a panel on the future of film in China and screen four ground-breaking films.”
“We believe the Nashville Film Festival offers the perfect platform to host our international guests,” said Bob Raines, Executive Director of the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission. “We’re excited to learn more about Chinese film production and to educate the delegation about the resources Tennessee’s talented film industry can provide to China’s fast growing entertainment sector.”
Li Weaver is the Managing Partner of JC Partnership Forum, a Nashville-based entity that assists Chinese companies with U.S. opportunities. According to Ms. Weaver: “This is the first time we are bringing a group of Chinese film makers to the Nashville Film Festival. They are interested in learning more about the film industry in the U.S. and exploring opportunities in both production and distribution. The festival is the perfect place to do this.”
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All events, including the films, are open to the public and are free of charge.
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Panel Presentation: The Future of Film in China: This year, for the first time, Chinese box office sales eclipsed those in the U.S. What does this mean for the Chinese filmmaker and studio? What does that mean for the American filmmaker interested in making a film in China or taking an American-made film there? This is a chance to meet the filmmakers, studio executives and cultural ambassadors who are attending NaFF, screening their film’s here, and exploring opportunities for the future. Moderated by Li Weaver. Friday, April 24, 1:00 P.M. Location: NaFF VIP Tent, Regal Green Hills Cinema
Feature Film: Feeling the Love Flute | Director: Yinghai Deng. China. | Special Presentation by Heilongjiang Yuetong Culture Media Co., Ltd. Tian Le, a young HIV-positive boy who dreams of becoming a musician, is adopted by a kind old gentleman who wants to protect him from the stigma that can sometimes come with his diagnosis. However, when the school and village find out about Tian Le’s illness, he receives an outpouring of love and support and the entire village rallies to help him pursue his dreams. Cast: Hao Lin, Ben Niu, Xiang Wen, Jin Su, Jin Guo. Saturday, April 25, 2:00 P.M. Location: NaFF at Regal Green Hills Cinema
Feature Film: The Moso Sisters. |Director: Li Hongyu. China. | Special Presentation by Beijing Huaying Century National Film and Television Production Center. To the north of Lugu Lake where Yunnan borders with Sichuan, there is an ancient village of Moso girls. Here lives the world’s only matriarchal tribe – the Moso. For them, men do not marry and women do not wed. Sisters and brothers live together with their mothers. For over 1500 years, this ancient and mysterious ethnic group has followed the exotic custom of walking marriages. The Moso Sisters tells the intricate yet touching love story between Meiduo the Moso lassie and Gesang the Tibetan lad, with a colorful touch of primitive culture. Friday, April 24, 8:30 P.M. Location: NaFF at Regal Green Hills Cinema
Feature Film: The Waiting Country Woman | Director: Li Yangiu. China. | Special Presentation by Beijing Li Yanqiu Culture and Arts Studio Co., Ltd. Xiulan and her childhood sweetheart Jianshe fall in love and wed. However, young men are being recruited to the front lines in order to defend the homeland. Being separated by thousands of miles only makes their love grow stronger, and when Xiulan receives a heartbreaking message, she chooses to believe that Jianshe is still alive and she will wait for his return. Friday, April 24, 3:30 P.M. Location: NaFF at Regal Green Hills Cinema
Feature Film: Wild Desert | Director: Ren Zhen. China. | Seven young men ride their motorcycles through the vast mountains and canyons of Western China in order to reach their ultimate goal — crossing the Gobi Desert. To do that, they will not only face the life and death issues that always arise in a desert climate, they face another unexpected danger — one that could bring their journey to a tragic end. Cast: Dong Xuan, Shao Bing, Peng Bo. Friday, April 24, 6:30 P.M. Location: NaFF at Regal Green Hills Cinema
Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), April 16 – 25, 2015, presented by Nissan North America, brings the world to Nashville in a 10-day celebration of film. NaFF celebrates the diversity of the human vision by curating diverse program segments. Founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman, it is one of the oldest film festivals in the U.S. As an Academy Award Qualifying Event, NaFF garners notice from the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, MovieMaker Magazine, IndieWire, Variety, Billboard, New York and Script Magazine.