When thinking about New Zealand in films, the first thing that comes to mind may be the country's breathtaking scenic beauty featured heavily in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the recently released prequel The Hobbit.

However, it should be noted that the series doesn't truly represent New Zealand as a country. In order to provide the audience with an authentic New Zealand movie viewing experience, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) is hosting an all-kiwi film festival.

"The movie is shot by an American film company, the novel written by a British, so it's an international creation and can't represent New Zealand movies on the whole," said Li Qi, coordinator of the festival. "At the film fest, the movies will cover a variety of topics. For example, one explores the lives of the Maori, the aboriginal people of New Zealand. The films focus on what's beyond the scenic beauty - the lives, soul and life philosophy of the locals."

The festival started with An Angel at My Table, directed by Jane Campion. Adapted from the three autobiographies of New Zealand's distinguished author Janet Frame, it tells of her childhood and personal struggles as a writer, including her eight years at an asylum.

A total of 11 movies will be shown during the festival, which continues until March 13, ranging from a young Maori girl's quest to take on the male-only challenge of being a Whale Rider to an 8-year-old boy who fends off school bullies with his make-believe super powers.

Many of those films are being shown in China for the first time, Li said. The festival celebrates the developing cultural interaction between China and New Zealand.

"New Zealand's arts and films will definitely be in the spotlight more from now on," he said.

When: Until March 13

Where: UCCA, 798 Art Zone, No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

Admission: 16 yuan (general admission), 11 yuan (students)

Contact: 5780-0200