Life of Guangzhou - 2006 China (GZ) Int'l Documentary Festival to Open on Dec. 6

The 2006 China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Festival (GZDOC) will open on December 6. The festival, with the theme of "Facing Poverty", has attracted 169 entries from 59 countries and regions and more than 500 executives from domestic and international TV organizations, independent documentary producers and representatives from the world's top seven documentary festivals.

At the opening ceremony on Dec. 6, "Guangdong Day" will be presented, screening a selection of brilliant documentary

films about Guangdong, which have been submitted by various cities in the province.

In light of the large number of representatives from the world's top seven documentary festivals, GZDOC Executive Chairman Li Jinyuan said that he is confident of developing the GZDOC into the world's 8th largest festival.

In 2004, GZDOC introduced the "Rules for the Transaction Market of International Documentary Films". Today, the market is China's only transaction platform for documentary films. Since the introduction of the rules, China's documentary films have seen a major improvement in both quantity and quality in proposals and production. A total of 17 broadcasters and potentials buyers from nine countries have also signed up for the convention.

The theme of the festival, "Facing Poverty", is also a theme of the United Nations. The festival will present awards to five juries and five Chinese producers. For the first time in GZDOC history, two awards for achievement will be presented to two Chinese and foreign directors who have contributed significantly to poverty reduction.

The GZDOC and Discovery Network Asia have jointly launched the "First Time Filmmakers program", an initiative aimed at developing up-and-coming, talented filmmakers in China. Media reports indicate that six of the 12 proposals, which have passed the first round of evaluation, will receive grants and be made into documentary films in the next nine months.

According to Mr. Li Jinyuan, this year's "First Time Filmmakers" program, with the theme of "Portraits of China", will present a picture of modern China to the world through six "real stories".

(Translated by Guangzhou Association of Foreign Affairs Translators)