Delegates from New Zealand and China attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 New Zealand Film Festival, June 4, 2008. (Photo:sina.com)

The 2008 New Zealand Film Festival opened in Beijing on Wednesday, giving Chinese audiences a great opportunity to know more about the Pacific nation.

The festival will feature 10 pearls of Kiwi cinema, including HBO comedy Eagle v.s. Shark, family drama No. 2 and Out of the Blue. The latter is based on New Zealand's most horrific shooting case in which 13 innocent people were killed.

A delegate from the New Zealand Film Commission said the festival would not only act as a bridge between Chinese and Kiwi people, but also allow New Zealand to promote its movie industry worldwide.

The commission is also discussing joint film ventures with Chinese producers, the official said.

(CRIENGLISH.com June 5, 2008)