NZ/Hong Kong Feature Film 'Eternity' at Shanghai Film Fest

22 May 2013

New Zealand/Hong Kong Feature Film Eternity Wins Official Selection to the 16th Shanghai International Film Festival

Eternity, the feature film by New Zealand director Alex Galvin, has been officially selected into the 16th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) which this year runs from 15-23 June 2013.

The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in Asia. Over 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s SIFF, which will screen around 250 films over the nine days.

Director Alex Galvin, who is currently in Cannes where Eternity screened as part of the Antipodes selection of Cannes Cinephiles held during the Cannes Film Festival said, “Being selected for the SIFF is a real honour particularly given that we understand it is the only New Zealand Feature Film selected for SIFF this year.”

Winning selection to SIFF means that Alex Galvin’s low-budget feature film has now won six prestigious laurels. Eternity had its World Premiere at the Saint-Tropez Film Festival (where it had the highest attendance of any film at the festival) and then went on to win the Special Jury Prize at the California Film Awards and screened at the Boston Sci-Fi Festival.

Last week, Eternity won critical acclaim (and both screenings were sold out) at Cannes, as part of the Cannes des Antipodes. Bernard Bories, the President of the Cannes des Antipodes described Eternity as, “A great and beautiful film, very cinematic and fascinating, quite magic.”

In July it will screen at the Madrid International Film Festival where it has been nominated for the Best Visual Effects, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing of a Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay of a Feature Film Awards. The Madrid International Film Festival, 1-6 July, recognises exceptional achievement in film from the smallest independent film makers to the most popular English and foreign language films in all genres.

Eternity is a sci-fi thriller set in the near future. Filming took place in Wellington, the Kapiti Coast, the Hawke’s Bay and in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong connection is particularly significant for SIFF given that this is the most recent film collaboration between New Zealand and Hong Kong/Asia. Not only were the key locations, cast and investment for the film drawn from both countries, but also post work was shared, with most of the post work being handled by Hong Kong Producer Eric Stark, the Director of Operations at Shaw Studios in Hong Kong.

Eternity is Alex Galvin’s second feature film and follows When Night Falls (2007), which was set and shot in the Wairarapa.

Wellington film and entertainment lawyer Michael Stephens, the Co-Producer of Eternity said, “Winning selection to a festival such as SIFF is testimony to the growing reputation of our independent film makers and the New Zealand film industry overseas. Being represented at SIFF opens the door to greater cooperation between the New Zealand and Asian film industries and the possibility of coproduction agreements to finance and develop future film projects.”

Eternity is currently screening at a number of cinemas throughout New Zealand and will have its television premiere in June having been picked up by the Rialto Channel

For further information, please visit: http://eternity-thefilm.com and www.eternity-thefilm.com/trailer

ENDS

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