Wellington film and entertainment lawyer Michael Stephens has been appointed New Zealand’s International Delegate to the 2010 Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) by the festival’s organising committee.

The SIFF is one of the largest film festivals in Asia. First held in 1993, the SIFF was held biennially until 2001 and now runs annually.

Mr Stephens’ appointment, which is for a two-year term, acknowledges his support and long association with the Chinese film industry and that country’s leading film festival.

Mr Stephens has been closely involved in the development of New Zealand’s film production and digital entertainment industry for more than 15 years.The founding principal of Wellington law firm Stephens Lawyers, he has a personal and professional interest in the future of East/West co-productions as well as funding for film, animation and other digital content projects.

This article appeared in LawTalk 754, 12 July 2010, page 16.