China honors overseas distributors of Chinese films

The Chinese Film Overseas Distribution Award ceremony was held on April 20 during the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) to recognize the efforts of domestic and international distributors bringing Chinese films to foreign markets.

Industry leaders and recipients pose for a group photo at the inaugural Chinese Film Overseas Distribution Award ceremony during the 15th BJIFF in Beijing, April 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

Jiao Hongfen, chairman of the China Film Producers Association, affirmed the remarkable achievements in Chinese cinema's global distribution at the ceremony. He also noted the growing presence of Chinese films in international theaters and on streaming platforms as a testament to the industry's rapid advancement and its culturally distinctive storytelling that resonates worldwide.

"The film industry should view these awards as a new starting point," he said. "We must encourage more filmmakers to join global outreach, deepen China-foreign cooperation models, and use cinema as a bridge to showcase China's cultural richness, while injecting cinematic artistry and emotional resonance into building a community of shared future for mankind."

Three domestic Chinese companies — CMC Pictures, China Lion Film and Tiger Pictures Entertainment — received the inaugural Chinese Film Overseas Distribution Award. 

CMC Pictures operates in 103 countries across six continents, having distributed over 100 films including "The Wandering Earth," "Nezha" series and "Wolf Warrior 2." China Lion Film pioneered simultaneous global releases for Chinese films, delivering nearly 200 titles including the "Creation of the Gods" trilogy to North America, the United Kingdom and Oceania. Tiger Pictures Entertainment has boosted Chinese cinema's global presence through film festival screenings and remake partnerships.

Two overseas-based Chinese firms honored were Heylight Pictures, which has distributed such Chinese films as "Creation of the Gods I & II," "The Wandering Earth 2," "Full River Red" and "Deep Sea" in Europe, Africa and Latin America, and FaceWhite, which focuses on the Japanese market and recently secured Japan's first simultaneous release of "Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force" while also maintaining a Japanese website promoting Chinese cinema.

International recipients included Sony Pictures Entertainment, Well Go USA, Trinity CineAsia and MM2 Entertainment. 

Sony Pictures used its global network to distribute Chinese films including "Hi, Mom" and "YOLO" worldwide. Well Go USA has brought more than 100 Chinese films to North America, covering multiple genres such as science fiction, comedy, animation and martial arts. Trinity CineAsia, one of Europe's largest Chinese-language film distributors, saw "Ne Zha 2" set box office records for Chinese films in the region. MM2 Entertainment, a Singapore-based media company, enhanced cultural exchange through its Southeast Asian network and distributed more than 20 Chinese titles including "Creation of the Gods II" and "Detective Chinatown 1900."

Mao Yu (L), executive deputy director general of China Film Administration, presents an award certificate to Arun Kapur, who appears along with his wife Sushma and son Aman during the Chinese Film Overseas Distribution Award ceremony at the 15th BJIFF in Beijing, April 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

Star Films of Peru received recognition and a special tribute for its three-generation dedication to distributing Chinese films in Latin America. Founder and producer Arun Kapur, whose passion for films came from his father O.P. Kapur — one of India's first film exhibitors — has distributed over 50 Chinese titles including "High Forces," "The Rescue" and "The Climbers" across the region. The family business continues through son Aman Kapur, maintaining their 17,000 km-distant commitment to Chinese cinema while cultivating devoted Latin American audiences. 

This year's BJIFF also hosted a forum on the same day exploring opportunities and challenges for Chinese films in global markets. The panel discussion analyzed how different genres perform overseas and examined successful cross-cultural storytelling approaches, from diverse content to diverse audiences. Industry experts from Well Go, MM2, Star Films, Heylight and FaceWhite participated and emphasized that film quality and narrative power matter more than genre, noting they need compelling stories that transcend language and cultural barriers. They also stressed the importance of cultivating audience viewing habits and cultural resonance while recognizing that film promotion serves not only to present movies but also to showcase China's contemporary image.

Executives take part in a panel discussion on "Chinese Film Overseas Distribution and Promotion" during the 15th BJIFF in Beijing, April 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of BJIFF Organizing Committee]

"Chinese stories are receiving increasing media attention," said Boris Pugnet, a partner at Heylight. "When discussing Chinese films with international audiences, we must address China's culture and global image, which are currently undergoing significant transformation. For foreign audiences, perceptions of China are changing rapidly."