Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan will kick off the 2005 Australian Film Festival in Beijing on September 10.

The festival will introduce 10 leading Australian feature films to Chinese audiences in the capital before moving to Shanghai in November and then Guangzhou in December.

The films were selected because they tell stories about the people, lifestyle and character of Australia and provide a cross section of mainstream Australian cinema.

"Australian films are relatively unknown to Chinese audiences," said Australian Minister for the Arts and Sports, Rod Kemp. "We plan to change that."

Kemp announced Chan would be the International Patron for the festival after meeting with China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in Beijing on July 7.

He said Chan's history and fame in both countries makes him an ideal candidate to open the festival.

Chan's parents emigrated from Hong Kong to Australia in 1960 and it was there Chan Long was given his English name, "Jackie." Chan starred in two Australian films in the 1990s and visits Australia frequently.

"Jackie occupies an almost unique post as a bridge between Australia and China in the area of film," Kemp said.

Chan may steal the show as the No 1 star present, but a who's-who of Australian and Chinese film producers will be working behind the scenes.

On September 11, a bilateral seminar in Beijing will get the ball rolling on co-production projects between the movers and shakers of the Chinese and Australian film industries.

"We hope to see top filmmakers from both countries working together on joint projects in the near future," Kemp said.

(China Daily July 14, 2005)