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China invests in Australian documentary series

Australian production company signs the first ever co-production agreement for a documentary series between Australia and China’s CCTV9.

Australian production company Bearcage has signed the first ever formal co-production agreement for a documentary television series between Australia and China Central Television’s CCTV9 Channel.

The Story of Australia, a six-part documentary series, will be broadcast on CCTV9 and internationally. No Australian broadcaster is yet attached to the project.

Bearcage has previously produced  New Zealand From Above, The Digger, For Valour, As Australian As, and Blessed Mary: A Saint for All Australians.

Developed to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Australia, The Story of Australia travels around our country focusing on varied aspects of “a land like no other” including Australia’s flora and fauna, arts and culture, industry and innovation, Indigenous culture and heritage, agriculture and geographic diversity.

Each topic is interpreted and explained through the lives of Australians active in their respective fields – the wildlife ranger in Kakadu, the miner in Far North Queensland and many more.

The co-production agreement between CCTV and Bearcage for The Story of Australia will be officially launched at a ceremony in Beijing on October 31. Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to China Ms Frances Adamson will officiate, along with senior executives from CCTV including President Mr HAN Zhanfan and Managing Director Mr LIU Wen .

Dr Ruth Harley, Chief Executive of Screen Australia, in welcoming the news, said: “It’s terrific timing to have this coproduction signed between CCTV 9 and Bearcage in such an auspicious year, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Screen Australia would like to congratulate the two parties for working together to achieve the first formal agreement for a China-Australia primetime documentary television series. I believe Chinese audiences will very much enjoy seeing the wonders of our vast and unique country, both natural and societal. Screen Australia is committed to building on our excellent relationship with Chinese Government, broadcasters and screen industry counterparts and I know that our connection will continue to facilitate future co productions.”

Michael Tear (pictured), Managing Director of Bearcage, said: “I am particularly proud of Bearcage’s leadership position as the first Australian production company to join with CCTV’s flagship documentary channel.”

Producer of The Story of Australia is Michael Tear, directors are Serge Ou and Chris Bamford and writer is Michael Cove.

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