Shanghai, China June 15, 2015 – Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) is proud to present the first official Press Conference of the 11th Annual CAFF during the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). CAFF is the only film festival endorsed by both China’s SARFT and MPA of America, and the first ever to be included in the annual report of the US Congress as one of the major China-US cultural exchange events. It is jointly supported by the Chinese Embassy and consulates in Los Angeles. It was also listed as one of 104 cultural promotions during U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to China. The 112th Congressional record praised CAFF for its high degree of dedication to the promotion of cultural exchanges between China the United States, thus making CAFF a part of the permanent history of the United States.

 

As one of the official events of this year’s SIFF, EDI Media, main organizer of CAFF, hosted the Press Conference at Shanghai Crowne Plaza on June 15th. CAFF Chairman, EDI Media CEO, President of GE Studio Mr. James Su, China’s SARFT Director Mr. Zhang Hongsen, China Film Co. Board Director Mr. La Peikang, CCTV movie channel Director Mr. Cao Yin, China Film Co-production GM Mr. Miao Xiaotian, VP Ms. Xu Shujun, China Film Promotion President Mr. Gu Guoqing, Shanghai Culture Broadcasting and Television Administration Deputy Director Ms. Bei Zhaojian, the overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Director Mr. Chen Wenjia, MPA Asia Pacific Managing Director Mike Ellis, along with other community leaders, guests and film company executives were all in attendence and gave an address during the press conference. In addition, five co-chairmens of CAFF were all present at the live conference including Director of Hong Kong Independent Film Companies, Mr. Wu Siyuan, founder of Hong Kong Professional Association of TV, Mr. Xu Xiaomin, Oscar Winner Andre Morgan, famous Actor Mr. Tang Guoqiang, and the newest co-Chairman–Kuailu Group CEO Mr. Shi Jianxiang, all spoke during the conference.

2015 11th Annual Chinese American Film Festival Press Conference VIP Group Photo

CAFF Chairman, EDI Media CEO, President of GE Studio Mr. James Su introduces and welcomes VIP guests

China’s SARFT Director Mr. Zhang Hongsen wishes the 11th Annual CAFF a success

MPA Asia Pacific Managing Director Mike Ellis delivers his speech

Shanghai Culture Broadcasting and Television Administration Deputy Director Mr. Bei Zhaojian wishes CAFF a success

China Film Co. Board Director Mr. La Peikang expresses his continuous support and promises to send delegation team to CAFF this year

China Film Promotion President Mr. Gu Guoqing states his intention to recommend more outstanding films to CAFF

The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Director Mr. Chen Wenjia

China Film Co-production GM Mr. Miao Xiaotian will attend the 11th CAFF

From Left to Right: Founder of Hong Kong Professional Association of TV, Mr. Xu Xiaomin, Director of Hong Kong Independent Film Companies, Mr. Wu Siyuan,
Kuailu Group CEO Mr. Shi Jianxiang, EDI Media President CEO Mr. James Su, Oscar Winner Andre Morgan, famous Actor Mr. Tang Guoqiang

From Left to Right: The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Director Mr. Chen Wenjia, Shanghai Theatre Academy Secretary Mr. Wei, Shanghai Magnolia Culture Corp CEO Ms. Zhuang Ruiyun

CAFF Committee announced the main events of this year’s 11th Annual CAFF. The schedule includes a Welcome Dinner on Nov 1st, a China-US Collaboration Summit Discussion on Nov 2nd, a Co-production Night with MPA that evening, and the Opening Ceremony and Golden Angel Award Ceremony on Nov 3rd.  The entire 11th Annual CAFF will be carried out throughout the month of November in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, during which 200+ film screenings, dozens of specialized seminars and forums will take place, building a channel of collaboration for both China and U.S. filmmakers.

 

CAFF Chairman Ms. James Su said: “For a decade now, Chinese American Film Festival has screened over seven hundred outstanding Chinese films, and nearly one million Americans have watched these Chinese movies during the film festival.  Through the artistic expression of movies, the American audience learned about Chinese culture, lifestyle, and an overall understanding of China’s development and its people. CAFF has witnessed a decade of China-US film collaboration, along with the rapid growth of the Chinese film industry, and progressively received more industry attention and support from filmmakers of both countries.”

 

For an entire decade, China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, August First Film Studio, Central New Film Group, Changchun Film Group, Tianjin Film Group, Zhujiang Film Group, Xiaoxiang Film Studio, Jiangxi Film Studio, Yunnan Film Group, Guangxi Film Group, Bona Film Group, Huayi Brothers, SMI Corp, Hairun Pictures, LETV, DMG, Seven Sun Media, Tai Shing International, Guosheng Pictures, along with film companies from Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Guangdong, Shenzhen and China Film Association, convene every year in Hollywood to participate in CAFF and compete for the “Golden Angel Award”.  At the same time, MPA, Fox, Disney, Sony, Paramount, DreamWorks, and many other major Hollywood studios and independent production companies also paid special attention to the annual CAFF.  In 2014, backed by statistics from China’s SARFT, the CAFF began awarding the “Most popular American Movies in China by Box Office Sales” to the top Hollywood Studios.  In 2015, Deputy Director Mr. Mao Yu of China’s Film Bureau will be leading the China delegation teams in attending the 11th CAFF main events.

 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascism War. CAFF will add a category for “70th Anniversary for Anti-Fascism Victory”, in addition to the documentary and independent film categories.  Films with Anti-Fascism themes are encouraged to enter, in an effort to commemorate the history and world peace. Top box office Hollywood films, various styles of independent films, and many outstanding Chinese films from year 2014 and 2015 will make their debut during the 11th Annual CAFF.

 

CAFF Committee also established the “Golden Angel” award for the outstanding Chinese TV drama, creating a platform for a broad exchange and collaboration among professionals in the TV arena.  Nearly a hundred TV series contended annually in the festival.  GETV, EDI Media’s flagship television channel, will broadcast the Opening Ceremony and air it in 50 countries and regions in Europe, Asia and North and South Americas.

 

Some other notable guests who made an appearance at the press conference include Tianjin Film Group CEO Mr. Zhang Rengang, Jupiter Media CEO Mr. Duan Yinjiu, M Star International CEO Mr. Wu Weiming, GM Ms. Zhang Linshu, Vivid Media CEO Mr. Yang Hui, Director Jiang Haiyang, Actress Jin Qiaoqiao, Aixinjueluo Qixing, Producer Li Fengming, Hawaii Film Festival President Chuck Boller, etc.

All seats were taken during CAFF Press Conference

Jupiter Media CEO Mr. Duan Yinjiu

CAFF EVP & M Star International GM Ms. Zhang Linshu

CAFF has made a tremendous effort in promoting Chinese films to the international market for the past decade while the rise of China’s film industry helped the CAFF take hold in these 10 years.  Nearly all major film studio and film groups from both China and U.S. have participated in CAFF.  2015 marks the beginning of another precious ten years. With the mission of spreading Chinese culture, CAFF will continue to serve as a cultural brand, and, along with industry elites, through film arts, build a Maritime Silk Road across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

From Left to Right: China’s SARFT Director Mr. Zhang Hongsen, China Film Co. Board Director Mr. La Peikang,
MPA Asia Pacific Managing Director Mike Ellis, China Film Co-production GM Mr. Miao Xiaotian, Tianjin Film Group CEO Mr. Zhang Rengang

From Left to Right: The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Director Mr. Chen Wenjia, China Film Promotion President Mr. Gu Guoqing,
CCTV movie channel Director Mr. Cao Yin, Shanghai Culture Broadcasting and Television Administration Deputy Director Mr. Bei Zhaojian

From Left to Right: CAFF President Ms. Slina Su, Famous Actor Mr. Tang Guoqiang, The Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Director Mr. Chen Wenjia, China Film Promotion President Mr. Gu Guoqing

Director of Hong Kong Independent Film Companies Mr. Wu Siyuan, Founder of Hong Kong Professional Association of TV, Mr. Xu Xiaomin, Oscar Winner Andre Morgan,
China Film Co-production Vice GM Ms. Xu Shuyun, China’s SARFT Deputy Director Mr. Gao Shan

Desen International Media Group CEO Ann An, CAFF Chairman James Su, Founder of Hong Kong Professional Association of TV, Mr. Xu Xiaomin

CAFF Chairman James Su, famous Actress Ms. Jin Qiaoqiao, CAFF President Ms. Slina Su

CAFF Secretary Linny Lin hosts the Press Conference

CAFF Committee members appreciate the support and anticipate the Golden Angel Award and Opening Ceremony of the 11th Annual CAFF on November 3, 2015