PHOTO OPPORTUNITY & MEDIA ADVISORY - China-West Filmmakers Alliance Announces Co-Presentation of Asian Film Summit with Toronto International Film Festival, Attendance of High-Profile Chinese Film and Media Delegates at Asian Film Summit, Gala Awards, and Premiere Screening in Markham, Ontario

TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - On Tuesday September 8^th, 2015, at 11:30am at the Markham Civic Centre, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Toronto Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries Zaib Shaikh, together with Canada's China-West Filmmakers Alliance (CWFA), will announce a series of exciting events surrounding this year's Toronto International Film Festival® (TIFF) and related to the Chinese film production industry and efforts to foster collaboration with Canada.

Firstly, the CWFA is proud to be a co-presenter of the Asian Film Summit at the Festival on Tuesday, September 15th, beginning at 10:00am and running all day at the CBC Glenn Gould Theatre.  Now in its fourth year, the Summit is a key element in building bridges between Asia and the west, and this year will feature several guest speakers who will discuss collaboration and distribution trends in China's film industry.

Then, on the evening of Wednesday September 16^th, 6:30pm at the Premiere Ballroom & Convention Centre in Richmond Hill, the CWFA is thrilled to be hosting its inaugural "China Night" Awards and Red Carpet Gala.  This will be an elegant evening celebrating co-production and collaboration between China and the west.  The over 400 expected participants will include distinguished guests Mr. Yu Dong (Founder, Chairman and CEO, Bona Film), Ms. Ann An (Founder, Chairwoman, Desen International Media), actress Zhao Tao ("Mountains May Depart") and many other Chinese producers, celebrities, investors and distributors.

Finally, immediately following the China Night Gala, in partnership with Bona Film, Fox International and Cineplex, the CWFA is honored to present the North American Premiere of the film "Bride Wars" at the Cineplex Cinemas Markham & VIP, Markham.  The Bona-released, Fox International romantic comedy has been near the top of China's box office the past 2 weeks, and this screening will be North America's first look at the Chinese remake of the 2009 Hollywood original starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson.

Jim Mirkopoulos, Chairman of the CWFA and Vice President of Cinespace Film Studios – a major CWFA sponsor – commented, "Just like with "Bride Wars" and the latest installments of  "Mission Impossible" and "Transformers", collaboration between Hollywood and China is increasing, and we want it to increase here in Canada also.  This is the mission of the CWFA, to ensure that we foster collaborative efforts at all budget levels, not just tentpole films.  And we want real co-produced films to get made, we don't just want announcements."

Crystine Zhang, Co-Chair of the CWFA and co-owner of major CWFA sponsor Visioneering Films, added, "Canada and China have had a longstanding co-production treaty, but it has been rarely used.  Our China Night Awards Gala will recognize the pioneers of co-production and get people excited about co-productions that will be released soon, but our real goal is to create opportunities for new projects to take advantage of the treaty, and put more creative people to work here and in China."

"Ontario's filmmakers are producing compelling content that is capturing the attention of global audiences.  The OMDC applauds the work of the China-West Filmmakers Alliance to strengthen vital partnerships between the Canadian and Chinese industries that will showcase Ontario's talent to new markets and investors and that will build further on our robust levels of co-production", said Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO of the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

Major sponsors that have made the CWFA's inaugural events possible include Bona Film Group, York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD), Cineplex, Fox International, Cinespace Film Studios, Visioneering Films, Birks, the Town of Markham, Spin VFX and the Premiere Ballroom & Convention Centre.

Media interested in the CWFA and its upcoming events can attend the press conference and register for the Gala, and those interested in purchasing tickets for the Gala or the Premiere Screening can visit www.chinawestfilmmakers.com

SOURCE China-West Filmmakers Alliance (CWFA)

For more information about the China-West Filmmakers Alliance, please contact: D. Jim Mirkopoulos, Chair, 416-406-4000; Crystine Zhang, Co-Chair, 416-806-7323