Guangzhou will run its first ever festival of contemporary Australian film over the weekends of November 19 to 21 and November 26 to 28.

Ten of Australia's top recent feature films with Chinese subtitles will be screened in the five-star Feiyang Cinema at Teem Plaza during the festival.

According to Mady Zhong of the Australian Chamber of Commerce South China, these films are a selection of Australia's best works from the last few years, representing a diverse range of themes and genres featuring top veteran Australian actors like Bryan Brown and Sam Neill, rising stars in Hollywood like Heath Ledger, familiar faces like Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, Oscar nominees Naomi Watts, Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths, and Golden Globe winner Anthony Lapaglia.

Zhong also said the festival was sponsored by the Australian Consulate-General Guangzhou and a company called Kingold Group and that the opening ceremony would be held November 18 at the Feiyang Cinema.

"Public screenings will start the following day. There will be at least three public screenings each day over six days and two weekends," Zhong said, adding there would be lucky draws for the audience with prizes including mobile phones and digital cameras.

(Shenzhen Daily November 11, 2004)