The 2008 New Zealand Film Festival opens in Beijing this weekend, giving Chinese audiences a great opportunity to know more about the Pacific nation. The festival will feature 10 pearls of Kiwi cinema, including HBO comedy Eagle vs Shark, family drama No. 2 and Out of the Blue. The latter is based on New Zealand's most horrific shooting case in which 13 innocent people were killed.

A delegate from the New Zealand Film Commission said the festival would not only act as a bridge between Chinese and Kiwi people, but also allow New Zealand to promote its movie industry worldwide. The commission is also discussing joint film ventures with Chinese producers, the official said.

Golden couple Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are reunited in the treasure-hunting romantic comedy Fool's Gold after their 2003's cooperation in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Directed by Andy Tennant, this adventure story is full of eye candy such as white sand beaches, blue waters and beautifully-tanned stars. A good choice for a summer date at the weekend.

D-War, or Dragon War. In a film reminiscent of Ed Wood's oeuvre, Imoogi, an unknown and terrible creature, returns to destroy the planet. It is opposed by a reporter and a girl with a mysterious illness, in this action flick based on a Korean legend.

Run Papa Run is Taiwan director and veteran actress Sylvia Chang's first try at a male-oriented story. The joint production between Jackie Chan's movie company JCE Movies and EEG Movies marks Sylvia's return to the director's chair, following her success with 20, 30, 40 in 2004. Featuring Louis Koo of Hong Kong and Taiwan actress Rene Liu, Run Papa Run works as both a gangster and a family comedy.

British actors Anna Popplewell and Ben Barnes arrive for the premiere of the Disney film "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspain" in New York May 7, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)