Chinese actress Li Bingbing stars in the upcoming Sino-Australian movie Guardians of the Tomb. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Pushing the coproduction theme, Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia, says: "Australia is a country which has a small population and large continent. A large number of people are immigrants. So, they have unique stories rooted in their cultures, and they would love to watch such stories on the big screen."

Citing the instance of Lion, an Oscar-nominated movie based on the true story of an Indian child adopted by an Australian couple, Deaner says Australian and Chinese filmmakers can make such movies that resonate with audiences in two countries.

Ren Zhonglun, president of the Shanghai Film Group, says he held talks with VAC around two years ago about creating a romantic Chinese tale with Australian scenes and its unique animals.

Jiang Ping, general manager of China Film Co Ltd, says the historical connections between the two countries, including the advent of Chinese laborers in Australia more than 100 years ago and the rapid growth in the number of Chinese students and immigrants headed to Australia in recent years, are all good material for coproductions.

So, what is the future for coproductions.

At the Wuhan event, 10 contracts with a total estimated value of 6 billion yuan were signed.

The contracts include a strategic cooperation treaty to promote coproductions signed by Ausfilm, the Screen Producers Australia, the VAC International Group and the Wuhan Teem Hoo Films Holding Group.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn