Film authorities in New Zealand and China Friday announced the first official feature film co-production between the two countries.
The 3D animated family movie, "Beast of Burden," was jointly approved as a co-production by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and the China Film Co-Production Corporation (CFCC).
A partnership between New Zealand's Huhu Studios and China Film Animation (CFA), "Beast of Burden" is the first of 17 proposed feature film collaborations between the two companies.
"Beast of Burden" is the story of a mythical beast named Mosley and his son Rue, who learn that only by standing up to our challenges, can they truly realize their potential, according to a statement from the NZFC.
The New Zealand-China Film Co-production Agreement was signed in 2010 and the NZFC established a dedicated China Co-production Development Fund in 2014.
"'Beast of Burden' is testament to the strong and fruitful creative partnership between our two countries," NZFC chief executive Dave Gibson said in a statement.
"We're committed to working with our good friends at CFCC to ensure that 'Beast of Burden' is the first of many outstanding New Zealand-China feature film co-productions over the years ahead."
CFCC president Miao Xiaotian said the CFCC had built strong and deep relationships with the NZFC and the New Zealand film industry.
"I'm glad to see that filmmakers from both countries have established contact and communication which is leading to films in production," Miao said in the statement.
"'Beast of Burden' is an excellent example of leading Chinese and New Zealand talent collaborating on films that cross cultural borders. CFCC is delighted to support it."
Set in China and the United States, the film was written and will be directed by Kirby Atkins with Chinese co-writer Ge Jing, co-director Huang Jun and is being produced by Trevor Yaxley (Huhu) and Huang Jun (CFA).
"Beast of Burden" would commence production in Beijing and Auckland this month and was scheduled for release in December 2017.
