The Scotland-China Association (SCA) exists to foster friendship and understanding between the people of Scotland and China. It brings together
250+ people from all walks of life who share an interest in all aspects
250+ of China and Chinese culture. The Association is a non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit organisation, run by unpaid volunteers. The membership and committee includes British-Chinese and Scottish people of all ages.

The Scotland-China Association (SCA) is the only Scottish finalist in this year's Pearl Awards. The SCA is nominated in The Pearl Awards Media Excellence Category in recognition of the Association's achievement in enhancing the profile of Chinese culture in Scotland through it's Chinese Film Festival, ELECTRIC SHADOWS, held in Glasgow.

The Pearl Awards for Media Excellence recognise achievements in film, broadcasting, new media and publishing and is sponsored by The Metropolitan Police. The SCA is proud to be competing with Pier Productions, a BBC Radio 4 production company, and Phoenix Chinese News & Entertainment TV, the satellite Chinese language TV channel.

ELECTRIC SHADOWS is the first-ever film festival in the UK to be devoted to the Chinese Diaspora and the British-Chinese community in particular. The Festivals, 2002 and 2004, give voice to the British-Chinese community and easy access to the British public to a programme of quality films and events. The Festivals attract high-profile film guests, strong audience figures and the close involvement of the Chinese community. The Festival's Patrons are British Chinese actor David Yip (The Chinese Detective) and international film star Zhang Ziji (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).

Scottish Minister for Culture Frank McAveety has given full support to the
festival becoming an annual event. Planning is now under way for ELECTRIC
SHADOWS 3 which coincides with Chinese New Year in February 2005 and takes place in Glasgow's city centre cinemas (GFT, CCA and UGC). The festival will continue to bring together classic and cutting-edge Chinese films from Mainland China and the Chinese Diaspora all over the world. The festival will also provide a rare opportunity for young British-Chinese film directors to present their films and take part in special events with international Chinese film-makers and actors of the highest calibre.

The Pearl Awards are the UK's first ever awards created to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Chinese community in Britain. Awards will be made in a range of six categories including the arts, media, sport, services to community, and business enterprise and will be presented to the winners by actress Sarah Lam (2000 Acres of Sky' and 'Brookside') at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Café Royal in London on 22 September. The three finalists in each of the six Pearl Awards categories have been selected from a large number of nominations sent in by individuals and organisations from around the country.