Pukeko Pictures: Animation Deal with Beijing Film Academy

Pukeko Pictures Signs Deal with Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy and Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) to Establish the “International Animation Technology Joint Research Centre”

Wellington, June 6, 2012 - Pukeko Pictures today signed an agreement deal with the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy and Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) to establish the “International Animation Technology Joint Research Centre” to actively promote the development of animated projects and open up the expanding international, Chinese and film and television markets.

Formed to promote film and television cultural exchange between China and New Zealand, and develop animation technology in the synergy of enterprise, academia and institutional research, the deal between the three parties will also provide a platform for collaboration in the film and television fields between Chinese entities and international enterprises.

The first collaboration project between Pukeko Pictures, the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy and Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) consists of planned co-productions on the internationally successful animation series, The WotWots, created by Pukeko Pictures at the world-famous Weta Workshop. These plans include special co-produced The WotWots TV episodes that will be unique to the Chinese home market.

“Pukeko Pictures is extremely thrilled to be joining with the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy and Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) as this joint venture will uniquely put us at the forefront of Chinese co-productions globally. This exciting collaboration will see film and television cultural exchanges between China and New Zealand – from technical ‘know-how’, the sharing of international resources and partners and will enable us to capitalize, co-produce and distribute international and Chinese film and television projects. It also extends to furthering the education and training of upcoming talent in the industry through joint academic activities and hosting annual regional industry conferences” said Pukeko Pictures’ Chief Executive, Andrew Smith.

The partnership also sees Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) creating the annual Sir Richard Taylor Award of the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy, which will fund winners and outstanding students to further their studies in animation.

“For China’s film and television industry to grow, innovation is needed, through more collaboration with top-notch international companies in the field. The Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy is very thrilled to be working with Pukeko Pictures and Grand Entertainment in seeking more opportunities for the sharing of resources and know-how, and the exchange of culture and ideas, in the development of the industry.

At the same time, it is our hope to provide more platforms for the nurturing of the future generation of film and television talent in China”, said Prof. Sun Lijun, Dean of the Animation School and Vice-Principal of the Beijing Film Academy.

This tri-party agreement builds on the strong the solid success of The WotWots in the Asian market. The WotWots has multi-platform broadcast in China, including free-to-air, satellite, IPTV, internet, mobile TV, and is growing a significant fan base throughout China.

Pukeko Pictures
Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ)
Grand Entertainment Ltd. (GZ) is a cultural & media company integrating film, television and animation production, distribution and ancillary operations, founded by well-known names in the field both in China and from abroad. Based in the Chinese market, its business also extends to other countries around the world. In 2011, the company successfully introduced The WotWots to China.

The Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy
As China’s oldest institute of higher education in animation, since its creation the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy has been the alma mater of countless top talent in the fields of animation, comics, gaming and cinematic art in the country. Under the incumbent Dean, Prof. Sun Lijun, the Animation School also created China’s first and most prominent academic prize in animation, the School of Animation Award. Every year, the school’s students create hundreds of excellent animated shorts, many of which have gone on to win numerous prizes in animation around the world. In addition, the Animation School led the way among academic institutions in the production of animated feature films in the country, and since the year 2000 have come out with commercial movies which set the highest standard for animation in China, such as “Little Soldier Zhang Ga”, “Running Merrily”, “Legend of a Rabbit” and “The Legend of Batela’er”.

www.wotwots.com
www.pukekopictures.com

ENDS

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