Dear Sir/ Madam

It is with great pleasure that I formally invite you to participate in the Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival to be held in Guangzhou from 13-21 December 2003 www.gzdoc2003.com

The non-profit festival is organised by Guangzhou Television (GZTV). GZTV is part of the Chinese Government Broadcasting and Information Bureau.

The theme of the festival is cultural heritage/cultural diversity. The festival will consist of screenings and seminars, and one-off broadcasts on Guangzhou Television. The festival outline, together with the regulations, entry form and technical record of entry, is attached.

I am concerned to see that this festival is truly international and that there is a wide variety of perspectives represented in film. Therefore, films provided by the 18 governments represented in Guangzhou by consulates-general will make up 25 per cent of the total number of films to be included in the festival. 25 percent will be Chinese films. 25 percent will be suggested by Image and Science, IFTC/CICT at UNESCO and 25 percent will be sourced from the internet or those suggested by people working in documentary film or related areas.

In order to attract international interest and participation, the following prizes will be awarded: Grand Prize, Jury Prize and five special prizes.*

The five jury members are :

Australia - Mitzi Goldman (Head of Documentary Australian Film Television and Radio School)

France - Annick Demeule (Executive Committee Member of IFTC/CICT at UNESCO)

Germany - Michel Noll (independent producer)

Iran - Dr Mohammad Afarideh (President of the Documentary and Experimental Film Centre)

USA - Zvi Dor-Ner (a producer for WGBH).

There will also be a Chinese academic yet to be nominated.

GZTV has made a large financial allocation to this project. This represents a very significant commitment towards greater engagement with the international cultural community.

I look forward to receiving your entries.

Li Jinyuan

Director GZTV

* Details of prize money are available from catherine.h@gzdoc2003.com