China to build overseas film distribution networks

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, January 18, 2016
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It was announced on Friday that China is going to build global networks to distribute domestic Chinese movies, aimed at Chinese audiences overseas and having a bigger say in the global film market.

Poster of "The Monkey King 2" [Photo: mtime.com]



Under the guidance of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), China Media Capital (CMC) Holdings Limited together with China Lion Film Distribution Inc. announced they will build a platform to form global Chinese film distribution networks, which will help Chinese films to screen for target audiences overseas and help Chinese domestic-made films more actively participate in the global market.

Internationally famous Chinese actors Jackie Chan and Gong Li will take the job as the promotional ambassadors for the platform. "The Monkey King 2," an upcoming blockbuster fantasy film produced by Hong Kong-based Filmko Pictures, will be the first film through the new platform to be released simultaneously in Chinese mainland market during the Spring Festival season and in more than 50 major cities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Another Chinese detective comedy "Detective Chinatown" will also be arranged for screening during China's lunar New Year. In future, the global distribution platform will gradually expand to more than 100 cities in the world, it was announced on Friday at a press conference.

Jing Junhai, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that Chinese films have had a growing influence in the world as China's cultural brand since the execution of the "Belt and Road" initiative. He hoped this Chinese domestic film distribution platform could not only help Chinese people around the world enjoy Chinese culture and Chinese film development, but also tell Chinese stories and show the Chinese spirit to the people of the world.

Tong Gang, the deputy director general of SAPPRFT, said Chinese films have achieved a great leap forward and will try to find new growth opportunities in the wider global market. The new platform will help the Chinese film industry's development.

Chinese film distribution wasn't profitable at all before CMC Holdings' investment into China Lion Film Distribution Inc. China Lion was founded by Jiang Yanming in October 2010 and has been the first company devoted to distributing Chinese films in North America. Chinese film giants Huayi Brothers Media Corporation and Bona Film Group Ltd. both have "strategic stakes" in China Lion. However, the Los Angeles-based company has been suffering from losses since its founding, and the US$4 million investment was spent very quickly.

The best box office results for most Chinese films released in North America in 2015 didn't amount to more than US$500,000, according to China Lion representatives, and many films can only earned hundreds or tens of thousands of U.S. dollars. Usually, there are no more than 50 theaters secured for Chinese releases, and most films can only manage to be screened in five or six U S. theaters.

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