Dialogue: The Next Evolution of China & Australia's Film Industries

The Arts, Fashion & Creative Services Working Group is proud to present three standouts in China & Australia's booming film industries. Melanie Coombs, Qiao Li and Ai Wan. With their knowledge and experience in working in the global film industry they will offer insight into how the see their respective local markets evolving and how that evolution is opening doors for the other media forms claymation, documentaries, music video/movies, etc.

Our three guests are:

1. Ai Wan

Born in Shanghai and raised in the United States, Ai Wan is an award winning film producer/actress, host of the International Fashion Week, Fashion TV, culture columnist and successful entrepeneur. Ai Wan is one of China's most talented and dynamic young creative personalities. A member of the American Screen Actor's Union, and once selected by the MTC film fan's network as the most popular actress. She has been crowed both Miss Chinese International and Miss Talent, and was once named world's most exotic beauty by the American Playboy magazine. She was picked by Outlook design magazine as the most prominent member of the burgeoning creative class in China.

2. Qiao Li

Qiao Li is an Australian filmmaker currently based in Beijing. After honing his craft at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, he relocated to China in late 2006 where he now works as an independent writer and director. Qiao has worked on a range of productions, from feature film to documentary, television to live music. His past experience as a Cinematographer and Editor makes him an uniquely talented practitioner, with a detailed understanding of the various crafts of filmmaking.

3. Melanie Coombs

Melanie Coombs founded Melodrama Pictures in 1999 and over the last decade has produced award winning shorts and television documentaries; including Harvie Krumpet, winner of the 2003 Academy Award for Short Film - Animation. Melanie's first feature, Mary and Max, written and directed by Adam Elliot, opened the 2009 Sundance Film festival, and won the 2009 Grand Cristal at Annecy. Melanie is developing a diverse range of feature films including an animated adaptation of the Australian children's classic The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek, a psychological horror film Pearly, a car caper film XCELR8 and a historical melodrama By Any Other Name.

RSVP now to events@austcham.org to book your place! This event is supported by the Australia China Alumni Association and we welcome members of ACAA to join this event at member price.