Under the guidance of the Dunedin City Council in New Zealand, the "30th Anniversary Celebration of the Friendship City Agreement between Shanghai and Dunedin: Film Screening Reception" was held on November 22 (Friday) at the Shanghai UME Xintiandi Cinemas. The event was organized by the Shanghai Film Distribution and Screening Industry Association, the Dunedin Economic Development Agency, and the Dunedin Shanghai Association, with assistance from the Shanghai Art Film Alliance. Mr. Jules Radich, the Mayor of Dunedin, attended this event in Shanghai.

Film screening scene

The film screened that evening, "Rugby Riot," is an interesting and touching new film about the growth of a young person in New Zealand. This screening not only showcased New Zealand’s cinematic artistry but also provided a strong impetus for cultural exchange between Shanghai and Dunedin. It offered representatives from Shanghai's film industry a new perspective on New Zealand's filmmaking and market, serving as an inspiration and potential for future collaboration. The event welcomed key guests from Shanghai's film industry, including producers, directors, screenwriters, and film critics, to engage in face-to-face discussions with the Dunedin City Council delegation. It served as a platform for sharing experiences, exploring cooperation, and inspiring innovation, aimed at promoting high-quality development in the film industry in both regions, thus contributing to the cultural prosperity in China's modernization process.

Since the establishment of the friendship city agreement between Shanghai and Dunedin, the two cities have maintained close and friendly ties across various fields. Since the initiation of contact in 2017, the Shanghai Film Distribution and Screening Industry Association and Dunedin City Council have continued to enjoy a friendly collaborative relationship. Last November, both parties renewed their Memorandum of Understanding in Shanghai to extend the screenwriter exchange program between the two regions. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the friendship city relationship; to celebrate this significant milestone and deepen the friendship between the two cities while continuing to foster future cooperation, the Dunedin City Council delegation visited Shanghai at the invitation of the Shanghai Municipal Government on November 18.

Event poster

Since the establishment of the friendship city relationship in 1992, Shanghai and Dunedin have engaged in multi-layered and wide-ranging exchanges and cooperation in various areas such as economy, education, technology, and culture, jointly witnessing their solid steps towards high-quality development. Shanghai, as China’s largest economic center and an international hub for finance, shipping, and trade, promotes China’s modernization process with its open-mindedness and innovative vitality. Dunedin, as the cultural and educational center of New Zealand’s South Island, attracts tourists and scholars from around the world with its unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

The visit from the Dunedin City Council delegation is not only a celebration of the 30-year friendly relationship but also a hopeful anticipation for future cooperation between the two sides. Looking ahead, Shanghai and Dunedin are expected to open new chapters in the film industry, cultural exchanges, and other fields, bringing more cultural enjoyment to the people of both cities and injecting new vitality into the advancement of friendly relations between China and New Zealand.