UK TV picks up 'Sing my Song'

Tapping the foreign film market

He says there were also many similarities between the work ethic in the two areas, comparing the "get out there and do it" approach in Asia to what is called "the No 8 fencing wire mentality" of New Zealand - a belief that anything can be fixed by using what's available and ingenuity.

Galvin believes the filming in his homeland of such Hollywood blockbusters as The Hobbit and Avatar "brought a great skill set to New Zealand and also up-skilled a lot of New Zealanders".

"I think the good thing in New Zealand is we are able to get absolutely top-quality crew who have experience on very big budget films."

He sees himself as taking his own skills, honed in such company, offshore in the future and sees China as a promising possible location.

"I think I will at some point base myself overseas. I'll still film in New Zealand," he says, but adds that he's fascinated by the possibilities of co-productions in the future.

Galvin credits the New Zealand co-producer of Eternity, Michael Stephens, with using connections he has built with Asia over the past 20 years to smooth the process of filming in Hong Kong.

Stephens, speaking at the March announcement of the festival, also expresses his belief in future movie partnerships.

"China is now New Zealand's largest trading partner and is potentially one of the largest international markets for this country's film and digital entertainment sector," he says.

"The opportunity for the New Zealand film industry if it can collaborate with China is truly colossal."

The 2014 New Zealand Film Festival in China will screen in Beijing through April 27, Shanghai April 24-29 and Guilin, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, April 26-May 2.