text:
Liz Shackleton
Stan Lee licenses The Unknowns to Arcana's 'Panda vs Aliens'
27-Jul-2017Film being lined up for release in 2018.
Rebooted Fortissimo Films acquires 'Wrath Of Silence'
19-Jul-2017Xin Yukun's arthouse drama revolves around two missing children.
What the West can learn from the surprise success of 'Dangal' in China
19-Jul-2017Aamir Khan's Indian wrestling drama became a cultural phenomenon in China this year, but why?
China cracks down on Wanda's foreign acquisitions
17-Jul-2017Deals affected include Wanda's acquisitions of Legendary Entertainment and the AMC cinema chain.
Mary Gu named CEO of CAA China
17-Jul-2017Partnership to operate across entertainment and sports in Greater China.
Takumi Saitoh, Seiko Matsuda to star in Eric Khoo's 'Ramen Teh'
14-Jul-2017The film tells the story of a young ramen chef from Japan.
Fox Networks Group to broadcast hit series 'The First Half Of My Life' outside China
13-Jul-2017The popular show starring Chen Daoming is set for release in Singapore and the Philippines.
How Village Roadshow is going native in China
12-Jul-2017Greg Basser and Ellen Eliasoph hope new China production venture Perfect Village could emulate their partnership with Warner Bros.
Vizio sues Chinese tech giant LeEco over failed merger
12-Jul-2017LeEco owns Le Vision Pictures which invested in The Great Wall.
Singapore's Clover Films unveils 2017 slate including Jackie Chan's 'The Foreigner'
11-Jul-2017Line-up also includes Chan vehicle Bleeding Steel and Cannes title The Villainess.
Southeast Asia's SEAFIC lab hands out inaugural prizes
4-Jul-2017You Are There, Doi Boy win awards.
Terence Chang talks China market challenges and new ventures
30-Jun-2017Two years after parting ways with John Woo, the Hong Kong producer discusses tackling mainland China and his busy new production outfits.
Shanghai fest awards top prizes to 'Pedicab', 'Shuttle Life'
26-Jun-2017Jury headed by Cristian Mungiu selects winners.
Blackfin partners launch sales outfit Rediance at Shanghai fest
22-Jun-2017EXCLUSIVE: Indie-focused company debuts at festival with four films on slate.
iQiyi's Yang Xianghua reveals details of Netflix deal
20-Jun-2017Yang Xianghua talks Netflix cooperation and says SVOD will become the dominant streaming model in China.
Perfect World, Village Roadshow, WME launch production venture
20-Jun-2017Perfect Village to produce range of content including features and online TV.
Wanda, Tencent form IP partnership, unveil 27-film slate
19-Jun-2017Adaptation of internet novel Battle Through The Heavens in the pipeline.
Eros teams with Pana for Indo-Turkish co-productions
19-Jun-2017Indo-Chinese productions are also in the works.
Mirovision to produce remake of EuropaCorp's 'Big Picture'
19-Jun-2017Film expected to start shooting in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Terence Chang's Lucida Entertainment signs star trio
19-Jun-2017Beijing-based company announces news at Shanghai International Film Festival.
Chinese studio chiefs grapple with slowdown
19-Jun-2017Alibaba chief describes tech giant as 'provider of infrastructure' rather than competitor to producers of Chinese films.
Tencent Pictures adds 'Qing Yu Nian' to busy slate
18-Jun-2017Film and TV versions of hit online novel in the works.
Mike Goodridge appointed artistic director of Macao fest
16-Jun-2017Goodridge joins the International Film Festival & Awards Macao in its second year of operation.
China's Weying to co-finance 'Transformers: The Last Knight'
14-Jun-2017The company will gain undisclosed share of revenue from film.
Tokyo film festival turns spotlight on Keiichi Hara
14-Jun-2017Director of Colorful and Miss Hokusai selected for TIFF's annual Animation Focus section.
Kurt Rieder replaces Sunder Kimatrai as head of Fox Asia
13-Jun-2017Fox is reshuffling its operation in the area.
'The Chinese Widow' to replace 'Our Time Will Come' as SIFF opener
12-Jun-2017No reason has been given for the change in opening film.
China and Hollywood: why the romance has cooled
1-Jun-2017Liz Shackleton explores why the Chinese government continues to restrict overseas investment.
China Focus: box office - the quotas question
1-Jun-2017Is there hope for a new deal on the number of foreign films released in China and a restructuring of the existing profit-sharing arrangement?
'Golden Age Of Television' reaches Asia
1-Jun-2017Driven by players such as Fox Networks Group, HBO, Amazon and Netflix, the ambitions for premium drama series in Asia are starting to match other parts of the world.
FilmDoo acquires VoD rights to Raya Martin's back catalogue
24-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: How To Disappear Completely and Now Showing included in deal.
Mouly Surya on Cannes title 'Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts'
24-May-2017Indonesian director premieres her new film in Directors' Fortnight.
Bela Tarr to oversee workshop at China festival
23-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Hungarian director to run training camp in Xining.
China's Hishow acquires Gaumont duo
23-May-2017Chinese outfit picks up Christmas & Co and Gaston.
India's Drishyam Films launches $20m production fund
23-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Up to 10 features to be produced through new fund.
Three Rivers unveils filmmaker residencies
23-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Five filmmakers selected for writing and editing residencies.
'Bad Genius' to open New York Asian Film Festival
22-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: "This reflects our high regard for the originality of contemporary Southeast Asian cinema."
Arrow Films takes UK rights to 'The Villainess'
22-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Cannes title directed by Jung Byung-gil.
Jazzy Group, Pixel Play board Malaysian thriller 'One, Two, Jaga'
22-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian star Bront Palarae is a co-producer.
Wanda, Tencent team for 'One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes' sequel
21-May-2017Sequel will be released in China in August.
'Ip Man' spin-off heading to UK, North America
21-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Well Go USA also scores key deals for Invincible Dragon.
Partho Sen-Gupta's thriller 'Slam' nabs co-pro funding
21-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Adam Bakri to lead Australian-French co-pro.
'Raid: Special Unit' starring Danny Boon heading to China
21-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Chinese buyer Apollo are hungry for European movies.
Song Kang-ho crime drama 'Drug King' underway
21-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Showbox production also stars Jo Jung-suk and Doona Bae.
Hishow takes animation 'Tall Tales' for China
20-May-2017Feature is based on French children's book Droles De Petites Betes.
Tianying Media unveils Sammo Hung project 'Lucky 5'
20-May-2017Company to produce series of feature with Hung and his son Timmy Hung.
Chinese Cannes title 'Walking Past The Future' sells to France
20-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: MK2 boards the only Chinese film in Official Selection this year.
Bridging The Dragon co-pro events sets projects
19-May-2017Projects include a new film from Brimstone director Martin Koolhoven.
Cannes leads tributes to Busan festival programmer Kim Ji-seok
19-May-2017Busan film festival deputy director died of a heart attack in Cannes, aged 57.
'Our Time Will Come' to open Shanghai film festival
19-May-2017Historical drama is one of eight titles announced for SIFF's Golden Goblets competition.
Busan festival deputy director Kim Ji-seok dies at 57
19-May-2017Respected festival programmer was attending Cannes.
Chloe Grace Moretz to voice Snow White
19-May-20173D animation Red Shoes & The 7 Dwarfs to be directed by Frozen character designer Jim Kim.
French comedy 'Penny Pincher!' set for Chinese remake
19-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Ge You to star in project for Emperor Motion Pictures.
Jackie Chan's Sparkle Roll clinches 'Better Tomorrow 4' deals
19-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Wang Kai-starring feature sells to South Korea, Singapore.
MandarinVision moves for Yang Ya-che's third feature
19-May-2017The Bold, The Corrupt And The Beautiful is in post-production.
Unfinished Akira Kurosawa project goes into production
18-May-2017Partnership to complete director's unproduced screenplays will kick off with Samurai film Silvering Spear.
'Harmonium' director plots next feature 'The Man From The Sea'
18-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Nikkatsu, Commes des Cinemas, Kaninga team on Koji Fukada project.
Toei, A Really Good Film Company team for Saint Seiya feature
18-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Popular Japanese manga is getting the movie treatment.
Media Asia marches to Chinese army project from 'Infernal Affairs' director
18-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: The Founding Of An Army is the third in a trilogy of historical propaganda films.
Tokyo festival announces four 'Muses' for 30th anniversary edition
18-May-2017Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki to be feted.
Thailand Film Office sets first project under film tax incentive
17-May-2017Vicky Jewson's action film Close to benefit from new programme.
Lionsgate takes 'Monster Hunt 2' for US & UK
17-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Edko Films scores deals on big budget Chinese sequel.
Martial arts action film 'Hidden Sword' gets international deal
17-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Distribution Workshop picks up Xu Haofeng-directed title.
Taiwan's Ablaze Image take 'Father To Son'
17-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Project stars Michael JQ Huang, Chuang Kai-Hsun and Aria Wang.
Richard Fox to step down from Warner Bros
16-May-2017Beijing-based exec has been with the studio for 42 years.
Peter Loehr exits Legendary Entertainment
12-May-2017Loehr has been at Legendary East since 2012 and will leave in June.
Tang Wei to star in Bi Gan's 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'
12-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: Wild Bunch to handle sales on 'Kaili Blues' director's second feature
IM Global picks up Alibaba's 'Once Upon A Time'
11-May-2017Project based on the best-selling fantasy novel stars Liu Yifei and Yang Yang.
International buyers check into 'Hotel Salvation'
10-May-2017EXCLUSIVE: C International Sales sells Indian drama to slew of territories including UK and Germany.
IM Global to handle sales on 'Youth', 'Detective Dee 3'
9-May-2017US company will launch sales on Huayi Brothers titles at Cannes.
Young Bruce Lee biopic 'Little Dragon' finds a director
8-May-2017The film will follow the early years of the martial arts superstar.
'Baahubali: The Conclusion' becomes top-grossing Indian film
8-May-2017The sequel has broken box office records in multiple territories.
Thai Pitch to present three projects in Cannes
1-May-2017Selected projects include works from producers Soros Sukhum and Prachya Pinkaew and filmmaker Jakrawal Nilthamrong.
Tencent boards Fox Networks Group Asia miniseries 'The Trading Floor'
24-Apr-2017Producer Andy Lau hopes five-part drama will have "international appeal".
Amazon Japan to stream Sion Sono's 'Tokyo Vampire Hotel'
24-Apr-2017Nine-episode series to star Kaho in first full action role.
Road Pictures to produce Chinese version of 'Run Lola Run'
24-Apr-2017Zhu Zhu will star in the remake of the cult German thriller.
'My Happy Family', 'Newton' win top awards at HKIFF
24-Apr-2017Tala Hadid, Wong Chun also win prizes at Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Screen Australia unveils China co-pro 'At Last'
20-Apr-2017China's Monumental Films will produce with Australia's Roadman Films and Story Bridge Films.
How Asian audiences reacted to 'Ghost In The Shell'
13-Apr-2017The casting of Scarlett Johansson went largely unchallenged by Chinese and Japanese audiences.
Astro, HOOQ, Purin board 'Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts'
12-Apr-2017Co-producers join Indonesian director Mouly Surya's new feature; Asian Shadows picks up international rights.
SCM scoops rights to 'Trivisa', other HKFA winners
12-Apr-2017Fox Networks channel swoops on six films that won prizes at Hong Kong Film Awards.
SEAFIC script lab unveils jury members
12-Apr-2017Christian Jeune, Nansun Shi to judge winner of Purin Award at Southeast Asian script lab.
'Trivisa', 'Mad World' score at Hong Kong Film Awards
10-Apr-2017Trivisa scoops five awards including best film, while Mad World takes best new ditrector prize.
Rob Cohen to direct $100m China-US thriller 'Speedhunters'
5-Apr-2017Lorenzo di Bonaventura to produce with Jiaflix, China's 1905.
LeEco closes $2.2bn in funding; acquires Le Young Pictures
31-Mar-2017Tech company has entered the North America and India markets as part of expansion strategy.
Bille August to head Beijing festival jury
23-Mar-2017Danish filmmaker to preside over Tiantan competition; festival line-up includes Moonlight, On Body And Soul.
Chinese film regulator punishes more than 300 cinemas
23-Mar-2017The authorities are cracking down on box office fraud.
Alibaba acquires online ticketing platform Damai
21-Mar-2017Move marks part of ongoing Alibaba expansion plans.
'I Am Not Madame Bovary' wins top prize at Asian Film Awards
21-Mar-2017Feng Xiaogang's comedy won best film, actress and cinematography, while The Handmaiden picked up four awards.
'Lord Of The Rings', 'Harry Potter' added to iQiyi in China
21-Mar-2017Warner Bros strikes deal with Chinese streaming platform for more than 200 library titles.
Zhang Yimou starts production on 'Shadow'
18-Mar-2017Details announced for new film from the director of Hero and The Great Wall.
HAF awards: 'Impossible Split', Ida Panahandeh project among winners
16-Mar-2017The winners of the 2017 Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum have been announced.
Spackman Entertainment Group buys Korea's Frame Pictures
16-Mar-2017Korean outfit provided equipment for Ryoo Seung-wan's action hit Veteran and TV drama The Legend Of The Blue Sea.
Jia Zhangke, Marco Mueller launch Pingyao film festival
16-Mar-2017Acclaimed director is launching October event in the ancient Chinese city of Pingyao, with Marco Mueller as artistic director.
Filmart: Emperor unveils action trio and rom-com
14-Mar-2017Company boards Wai Ka-fai and Derek Kwok projects.
Filmart: Film Movement acquires Zhang Yang's 'Soul On A String'
14-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Asian Shadows is handling sales on the festival favourite.
Filmart: NFDC seals deals with India's largest streaming platforms
14-Mar-2017Amazon Prime Video secures 97 titles from Indian company.
Filmart: Localisation and originals key for Asia's OTT platforms, say panel
14-Mar-2017Speakers discussed how platforms can offer differentials from terrestrial TV content.
HKIFF to celebrate 20 years of post-handover Hong Kong cinema
14-Mar-2017Event will programme a section of Hong Kong films from the last 20 years, including Infernal Affairs, Election and Shaolin Soccer.
Filmart: iQiyi ramps up in-house productions
13-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Streaming giant is fully-financing the debut feature as a director from actor Lu Yulai.
Filmart: Asian Shadows picks up Cambodian duo
13-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Titles include Cambodia's first LGBT-themed film.
Filmart: Fox working with Andy Lau, Patrick Kong on miniseries
13-Mar-2017Fox Networks Group moves into high-end Chinese miniseries with pair of projects.
Filmart: Chinese film industry panel calls for quality output
13-Mar-2017Speakers included Kung Fu Yoga director Stanley Tong and JQ Pictures chairman Qin Hong.
The 24 hottest projects at this year's Hong Kong Filmart
13-Mar-2017There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.
Filmart: IM Global extends output deal with Huayi Brothers
12-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Updated agreement begins with IM Global handling sales on Chang Zheng's Explosion.
Filmart: Jackie Chan's Sparkle Roll Media launches int'l sales arm
12-Mar-2017Hong Kong-based company launches with Feng Xiaogang's Bloom Of Youth.
Filmart: Distribution Workshop's slate includes Yuen Woo-ping martial arts fantasy
12-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Kung Fu Yoga actor Aarif Lee stars in film from Tsui Hark and Nansun Shi.
Filmart: One Cool launches sales arm with $45m sci-fi
12-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Company reveals four titles on debut sales slate.
Filmart: Chapman To's 'The Empty Hands' gets international sales deal
12-Mar-2017EXCLUSIVE: Martial arts drama has been picked up by Hong Kong outfit Golden Scene.
Filmart: Wilson Yip martial arts zombie mash-up leads Mei Ah slate
12-Mar-2017Dragon Gate Zombie Inn is being produced by The Monkey King producer Soi Cheang.
IM Global signs output deal with China's Enlight Pictures
10-Mar-2017Deal kicks off at Filmart with six Enlight titles including Alec Su's The Devotion Of Suspect X, starring Wang Kai and Ruby Lin.
Pan-Asian movie firm MVP threatens legal action over Vietnam cinema closures
8-Mar-2017UPDATED: Indonesian exhibitor claims contracts were terminated illegally by Vietnamese property developer, which has made a counter claim that it was operating within the law.
Hong Kong Filmart: quotas and slowing box office on the agenda
8-Mar-2017Uncertainty looms large over China's industry in the wake of a disappointing year at the box office.
Filmart: 10 emerging Hong Kong directors
8-Mar-2017Ahead of next week's Hong Kong Filmart (Mar 13-16), Screen profiles lists 10 of the most exciting talents in the local industry.
Star India launches channel for specialist Hindi films
8-Mar-2017New channel aims to screen "carefully curated, meaningful stories" but still needs to comply with Indian censorship.
'Love Off The Cuff' to open Hong Kong film festival
3-Mar-2017Pang Ho-cheung's romantic comedy will have its world premiere at the event.
'Logan' released in China with parental advisory despite 14 minutes of cuts
3-Mar-2017X-Men spin-off is the first film to be affected by China's new Film Industry Promotion Law.
Huayi Brothers to produce unfilmed Akira Kurosawa script
2-Mar-2017Japanese director wrote The Masque Of The Black Death before his death in 1998.
Tsui Hark to be honoured at Asian Film Awards
28-Feb-2017The Journey To The West director is one of China's most bankable filmmakers.
Miyazaki comes out of retirement for feature film
27-Feb-2017Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki confirmed the news at a pre-Oscars event.
Bona Film Group signs 30-theatre deal with IMAX
27-Feb-2017Agreement makes Bona one of IMAX's top five exhibitor partners in China.
China's Recon Holding acquires 51% of Millennium Films in $100m deal
23-Feb-2017The Expendables and London Has Fallen producer has sold a majority stake to the owner of Aston Villa Football Club.
Yang Cheng on the future of Chinese arthouse cinema
21-Feb-2017The Beijing-based producer, who had two films in Berlin, explains why he's optimistic about the future of arthouse cinema in China.
HKIFF to screen all seven of Edward Yang's films
18-Feb-2017Festival to host a retrospective of the work of late Taiwanese filmmaker.
HAF launches Work-in-Progress Lab
15-Feb-2017Eight shortlisted projects including Christopher Doyle and Jenny Suen's The White Girl; Nguyen Phuong Anh's The Third Wife and Zhou Quan's End Of Summer.
Zee launches sales on Majid Majidi's first Indian film 'Beyond The Clouds'
14-Feb-2017Iranian director Majidi helming coming-of-age story with all Indian cast.
Mirovision strikes Japan deals on Korean titles in Berlin
14-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: How To Break Up With My Cat, My New Sassy Girl, and Sunshine all sell to Japan.
MovieSaints VoD platform launches with unusual hook
14-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: US and India-based service will allow users to receive their money back if they don't like the first ten minutes of a film.
Huayi Brothers, Donwa Pictures set for Berlin's Bridging The Dragon
13-Feb-2017Third edition of production forum will be held at the Berlin Film Festival on Feb 15.
Kim Tae-yun's innocence drama 'New Trial' heads to Japan
13-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: Korean sales agent has signed a deal with Japanese distributor New Select.
'The Final Master' wins at Berlin's Asian Brilliant Stars
13-Feb-2017Xu Haofeng took best director for his martial arts film at the inaugural edition of the event.
China's Hishow swoops on 'Hunter Killer', 'Escobar'
12-Feb-2017The deal is understood to be in the region of $10m, making it one of the biggest deals of the EFM.
Chinese online portal MEIFine claims quota free access
12-Feb-2017Steve Wang of Worldwide Business Team and Craig Santy's Great Eastern International will over foreign content acquisitions.
Good Move picks up Malaysian drama 'You Mean The World To Me'
12-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: Yann Yann Yeo, Swee Lin Neo and Frederick Lee star.
Swen Group takes Berlin Generation title 'Stonehead'
11-Feb-2017Chinese director Zhao Xiang makes his feature debut on the title.
'The Lunchbox' star Nimrat Kaur boards 'Tip Top Taj Mahal'
11-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: C International Sales has picked up the project's international rights.
Jakub Gierszal to play math genius in 'Adventures Of A Mathematician'
11-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: 2012 Shooting Star joins Thor Klein's feature; Solo Productions also sign on.
M-Line scores sales on trio of titles
11-Feb-2017Missing, Derailed and Part-Time Spy all clock deals.
Chinese state media says film quota may expand
10-Feb-2017Chinese newspaper predicts more than a dozen films will be added to the existing quota.
Gaga Corp picks up manga adaptation 'Almost Coming, Almost Dying'
10-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: Toshimasa Kobayashi makes his feature debut with the manga adaptation
Village Inc flies to Berlin with new international cut of 'Stray Nightingale'
10-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: Lavish stage play filmed using 'Geki Cine' style with 20 HD cameras.
CJ strikes twice in Japan, with deals on 'Master', 'Saigon Bodyguards'
10-Feb-2017Korean sales company also reports brisk pre-sales on Confidential Assignment and Fabricated City.
Finecut adds 'Glass Garden', 'True Fiction' to sales slate
10-Feb-2017South Korean sales company picks up fantasy mystery by Shin Su-won and suspense thriller by Kim Jin-mook.
Fox lines up first Indonesian co-production
9-Feb-2017Deal sees Fox partner with Lifelike Pictures.
Tokyo film market moves to Ikebukuro
9-Feb-2017TIFFCOM moving away from current site Odaiba.
Toho reteams with 'Your Name' producer for 'Fireworks'
9-Feb-2017EXCLUSIVE: Producer Genki Kawamura and Japanese studio Toho are partnering again after global success of Your Name.
Exploring India's online youth content revolt
9-Jan-2017Screen looks into the blossoming world of youth-focused film content in the online Indian market.
China's Bingchi sets 'Villain' as first production
6-Jan-2017Jiang Wu (pictured) and Song Yang star in suspense drama about class conflict.
Indian actor Om Puri dies aged 66 from a heart attack
6-Jan-2017The actor was best known in Britain for East Is East and My Son The Fanatic.
Hong Kong box office down by 2% in 2016
4-Jan-2017Captain America: Civil War topped the charts in Hong Kong, but local films also performed well.
China box office growth declined sharply in 2016
3-Jan-2017After years of huge growth, the Chinese box office plateaued last year.
Hartnett, Terajima head cast of US-Japan comedy 'Oh Lucy!'
16-Dec-2016EXCLUSIVE: Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are executive producing the feature adaptation of Atsuko Hirayanagi's short film, which stars Shinobu Terajima and Josh Hartnett.
Cinestaan, Film London's Shakespeare adaptation 'The Hungry' begins shoot
15-Dec-2016EXCLUSIVE: Naseeruddin Shah and Tisca Chopra head the cast of UK-India co-production, which is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus.
Adam Bakri to star in Sen-Gupta's Slam
12-Dec-2016DUBAI/EXCLUSIVE: Palestinian actor Adam Bakri (Omar) has been cast in Sydney-based director Partho Sen-Gupta's upcoming drama Slam, alongside Australian actress Rachael Blake.
Wheelchair gains momentum with Samir
12-Dec-2016DUBAI/EXCLUSIVE: Egyptian producer Mohamed Samir has boarded Wheelchair, the first narrative feature from Little Eagles director Mohamed Rashad.
Siddiqui to star in Beautiful Bay's Sultana Daku
11-Dec-2016Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has joined the cast of The Confession Of Sultana Daku, produced by London-based Beautiful Bay Entertainment.
Phoenicia scores an ace with Borg vs McEnroe
11-Dec-2016Lebanon-based distributor Phoenicia Pictures has acquired MENA rights to Borg vs McEnroe, about the famous rivalry between tennis players Björn Borg and John McEnroe, at Dubai Film Market.
Zawya powers up Egyptian indies
11-Dec-2016Zawya Distribution is ramping up its 2017 slate of Egyptian independent features with titles including Tamer El Said's In The Last Days Of The City and Mohamed Rashad's DIFF competition title Little Eagles.
Uturn's Dubai move heralds global push
9-Dec-2016Jeddah-based digital content platform Uturn Entertainment is moving its head office to Dubai as part of a push to expand across the region and further afield.
Sunrise wins IWC Filmmaker Award
9-Dec-2016UAE filmmaker Abdullah Hassan Ahmed's Sunrise scooped the $100,000 IWC Filmmaker Award at DIFF last night.
Three Rivers brings Indian projects to DIFF
9-Dec-2016Dubai Film Market is introducing a selection of Indian projects for the first time this year through a partnership with Europe's PJLF Three Rivers Residency.
Screen unveils inaugural Arab Stars of Tomorrow
8-Dec-2016The initiative, highlighting five emerging film talents from the Arab world, is presented at Dubai International Film Festival.
DIFF VR sidebar offers touch of the theatrical
8-Dec-2016VR is shaping up to be a combination of cinema, theatre and gaming, says the director of the UAE's first VR narrative short Flash.
Weying launches outpost for international films
2-Dec-2016Gary Locke, former US ambassador to China, will advise joint venture between China's Weying and Lead Capital general partner Johnny Hsu.
Tony Leung to star in 'Monster Hunt 2'
30-Nov-2016Hong Kong star Tony Leung Chiu-wai has joined the cast of Edko Films' Monster Hunt 2, which is currently shooting in Beijing.
Alibaba takes 30% stake in Hehe Pictures
28-Nov-2016Alibaba Pictures makes strategic investment in producer-distributor, which is part owned by star Chen Kun and director Cao Baoping.
Once Again, Buddhagram scoop Facebook awards
24-Nov-2016FILM BAZAAR: Kanwal Sethi's drama Once Again and creative documentary Buddhagram won the inaugural Facebook Awards at the close of this year's Film Bazaar (November 20-24).
Mia Hansen-Love's 'Maya' heads to India for 2017 shoot
24-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Indian newcomer Aarshi Banerjee joins cast.
Dina Dattani boards Bangladeshi film 'A Foolish Man'
24-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Bangladesh's Abu Shahed Emon writes and directs.
DIFF to open with 'Miss Sloane', close with 'Rogue One'
23-Nov-2016This year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF, December 7-14) will open with John Madden's political thriller Miss Sloane and close with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
VoD experts: "Be your own channel"
23-Nov-2016FILM BAZAAR: Orly Ravid from The Film Collaborative advises film-makers to use grassroots outreach and social media marketing.
Shabana Azmi: 'Woo big actors with the right roles'
23-Nov-2016FILM BAZAAR: Actress talks about how first-time feature director lured her to Idgah.
Film Bazaar: India's independents seek distribution alternatives
23-Nov-2016India's independent film-makers are turning to alternative distribution strategies to reach audiences in India and overseas.
Short film platform Humara set to move into feature-length production
23-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Mumbai-based production company slates Reincarnation as its first feature film.
Film Bazaar: Konkona Sensharma talks 'A Death In The Gunj'
22-Nov-2016Actress-turned-director Konkona Sensharma examines notions of masculinity and entitlement in her debut feature A Death In The Gunj, which is currently playing the festival circuit.
Kajaria, Ram launch new-model agency Basil Content
22-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Sales and representation agency's launch slate includes Maroon, Half-Ticket, Raakshas.
Studioz IDrream crosses class divide with 'Sir'
22-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Director Rohena Gera makes fictional feature debut.
Abhay Deol mines indie gems for digital venture
21-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE/FILM BAZAAR: Indian actor Abhay Deol has set up a banner to acquire critically-acclaimed Indian independent films and work with online platforms to give them a straight-to-digital worldwide release.
Rare languages, genre films light up Film Bazaar Recommends
21-Nov-2016FILM BAZAAR: Films in rare languages, mockumentaries and a growing interest in genre filmmaking are some of the dominant themes in this year's Film Bazaar Recommends.
WIP Lab showcases India-Europe co-productions
21-Nov-2016FILM BAZAAR: Three of the Work-in-Progress Lab projects at this year's Film Bazaar are international co-productions, suggesting Indian filmmakers are getting to grips with the complexities of working with Europe.
David Heyman to produce Alibaba Pictures' 'Warriors'
20-Nov-2016China's Alibaba Pictures has brought on board the UK's David Heyman to produce fantasy adventure Warriors, based on a series of children's novels about warring cats.
Film Bazaar: a decade of unearthing South Asian gems
18-Nov-2016Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Film Bazaar (Nov 20-24) has made South Asian indie cinema accessible by curating the vast range of film-making styles and languages on offer.
China's Leeding Media scoops up IM Global, Lakeshore titles
18-Nov-2016Producer and aggregator has acquired Chinese digital rights to 95 films and also secured investment from WinDigital Investment Fund.
Image Nation launches $300m fund with CICC
14-Nov-2016Image Nation Abu Dhabi and China's CICC are teaming up on three initiatives, including a $300m fund for film and TV.
Macao launches Crouching Tigers Project Lab
10-Nov-2016Nicolas Winding Refn, Karim Ainouz and Lu Chuan are among the directors of projects selected for the inaugural Crouching Tigers Project Lab at the 1st International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM).
Alibaba teams with Fosun, STA on talent development
9-Nov-2016China's Alibaba Pictures is joining forces with Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) and Fosun Group to develop new talent for the film and TV industries.
Netflix acquires global rights to South Korean thriller 'Pandora'
8-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: The streaming giant has picked up the anticipated follow-up to Next Entertainment World's (NEW) South Korean zombie thriller Train To Busan.
AFM: Arclight launches 'Triple Threat' sales
5-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Tony Jaa [pictured], Tiger Chen and Iko Uwais star in action thriller.
AFM: Jetavana plots cyberpunk fantasy 'Dream Breaker'
5-Nov-2016Rising talents Chen Duling [pictured] and Song Weilong star.
AFM: Media Asia launches 'Love Off The Cuff' sales
5-Nov-2016Miriam Yeung and Shawn Yue star in third entry in Pang Ho-cheung's film series.
AFM: United Pictures closes 'Split' deals
5-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Bowling drama stars Yoo Ji-tae.
AFM: 'Crosscurrent' on Lemon Tree's debut international slate
4-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Chinese distributor also has animation Lighting Dindin.
AFM: Arcana's 'Pixies' scores China deal
4-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Voice cast includes Christopher Plummer and Alexa Vega.
AFM: Cinestaan bets on rising Indian talent
4-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Debut slate includes I Am Here from Loev [pictured] director Sudhanshu Saria.
AFM: First look and deals for Jackie Chan's 'Kung Fu Yoga'
4-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Golden Network inks deals on kung fu caper.
AFM: Nikkatsu to partner with Wild Bunch for Kurosawa's next film
3-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Japanese studio and international sales agent pairing up for new sci-fi.
AFM: Crimson Forest and Hannover House acquire US rights to 'Where's The Dragon?'
3-Nov-2016Distribution Workshop sells 3D animation about a young girl who teams up with the animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
AFM: Asian Shadows picks up erotic Buddhist drama
3-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong sales company acquires worldwide rights to Norihiro Niwatsukino's Suffering Of Ninko.
AFM: Finecut seals deals on 'Age Of Shadows', 'The Wailing'
3-Nov-2016South Korean agent makes sales to UK, Singapore, Thailand, Latin America and more.
AFM: UCFTI Expo: Jiang calls on Hollywood to cooperate with China
3-Nov-2016Wanda Pictures general manager speaks on panel about marketing US films in China.
AFM: Well Go USA picks up rights to 'The Game Changer'
3-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Texas-based distributor acquires rights for US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
AFM: China & Hong Kong buzz titles
2-Nov-2016Projects from China and Hong Kong available at the American Film Market will serve up a sizzling mix of action thrills, visual feasts and culinary delights.
AFM: Mega-Vision launches 'Chasing The Dragon' sales
2-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Gangster drama stars Donnie Yen and Andy Lau.
AFM: C International debuts with 'Death In The Gunj' and 'Land Of The Gods'
2-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Indian boutique studio is at AFM for the first time this year.
AFM: IM Global takes on 'The Adventurers'
2-Nov-2016EXCLUSIVE: Andy Lau, Shu Qi and Jean Reno [pictured] star in the story of a jewelry heist at the Cannes Film Festival.
China box office focus: fast but not so furious
31-Oct-2016China's box-office growth slowed over the summer, but there are signs the deceleration is part of a natural progression towards a more rational and mature market.
Tokyo: 'Three-Fold Mirror' reflects Japan's Asian ambitions
31-Oct-2016Omnibus project Asian Three-Fold Mirror 2016: Reflections forms part of Japan's drive to build links with Southeast Asia.
'Diamond Island', 'Lady Of The Lake' scoop top prizes in Mumbai
28-Oct-2016Other winners included Ralitza Petrova's Godless and The Narrow Path, directed by Satish Babusenan and Santosh Babusenan.
Tokyo: Matsuzaka joins cast of Chen Kaige's 'Kukai'
28-Oct-2016Japanese actress joins cast of Chen Kaige's [pictured] Chinese-Japanese co-production, which is currently in production in China.
Tokyo: Producers talk China-Japan collaboration
25-Oct-2016A trio of high-profile Chinese film executives discussed the reasons why the Chinese and Japanese film industries are not regular collaborators at the Japan Content Showcase (JCS) on Tuesday.
Tokyo: Golden Network picks up Shed Skin Papa
25-Oct-2016Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to Tokyo competition title Shed Skin Papa.
Jia Zhangke talks new projects, arthouse distribution
25-Oct-2016Speaking at Mumbai Film Festival, where he's receiving the Excellence In Cinema Award, director Jia Zhangke reveals plans for China's new arthouse circuit and details of his new company Fabula.
'Baahubali: The Conclusion', on location report
20-Oct-2016The first part of SS Rajamouli's Telugu-language epic, Baahubali: The Beginning, stormed the Indian box office and sold to 30 territories. Now the follow-up has set its sights on further international success.
MIPCOM: how to excel in India's burgeoning VOD market?
17-Oct-2016India is on the brink of a streaming revolution, with international players joining a host of local platforms. But can anyone make money in this complex and crowded market? Liz Shackleton reports.
Busan: Haobam Paban Kumar talks 'Lady Of The Lake'
11-Oct-2016Indian film-maker talks about his narrative debut, which premiered in Busan's New Currents competition, and the state of filmmaking in northeast India.
Busan: Tammy Nam talks talent discovery and content on the move
11-Oct-2016Tammy H. Nam, CEO of global streaming service Viki.com, explains how the site's avid community of subtitling fans is helping content to travel and break emerging talent.
Busan: Korean industry grapples with China political fallout
11-Oct-2016Asian Film Market's E-IP events were bustling but uncertainty over Chinese policy dampened the usual talks about Chinese-Korean collaboration and co-investment.
Busan: Lee Chang-dong voices support for former BIFF director
10-Oct-2016Lee joined Hou Hsiao-hsien and Hirokazu Kore-eda at a special talk event in Busan.
Busan: Asian entertainment business catches IP fever
9-Oct-2016Even China's unofficial ban on Korean content has not dampened cross border trade in entertainment IP.
Busan: SEAFIC script lab unveils first five projects
9-Oct-2016Line-up for first Southeast Asia Fiction Film Lab includes debut fiction film from Nontawat Numbenchapol, whose documentary #BKKY is premiering at Busan.
Spielberg's Amblin, China's Alibaba enter strategic partnership
9-Oct-2016Alibaba Pictures is investing in Amblin Partners and has entered into a strategic partnership with the mini-major for co-productions, finance and distribution.
Busan: Distribution Workshop sets Ringo Lam's 'Sky On Fire'
8-Oct-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based sales agent has picked up latest action thriller from Ringo Lam, starring Daniel Wu and Zhang Jingchu.
Crisis-hit Busan film festival has calm opening
6-Oct-2016A typhoon failed to dampen the event's opening night as anticipated protests were muted.
Film Bazaar unveils Co-production Market projects
4-Oct-2016Line-up includes projects from Geetu Mohandas, Mostofa S. Farooki and Haobam Paban Kumar, along with the event's first ever animation projects.
Pawan Kumar talks Netflix-bound 'U-Turn' and crowdfunding
3-Oct-2016Bangalore-based film-maker Pawan Kumar, who recently sold his feature U-Turn to Netflix, explains how he used crowdfunding and digital distribution to launch his first three films.
China-India co-productions: a golden opportunity?
3-Oct-2016EXCLUSIVE: Ajit Thakur, CEO of Eros production banner Trinity Pictures, talks about developing stories for the two biggest audiences in the world.
Amazon partners with 'Baahubali' creators on animated series
30-Sep-2016Series will stream on Amazon Prime Video India in 2017.
Gomes, Erdem to head Mumbai film fest juries
30-Sep-2016Miguel Gomes [pictured] and Reha Erdem to head international competition and India Gold juries, respectively; fest also unveils line-up and Jia Zhangke award.
Chinese ticketing platform Weying moves into production
30-Sep-2016Online ticketing giant, backed by Tencent and Wanda, is producing $9m animation Snowkid and comedy Passed Out, starring Ge You.
Amazon pacts with T-Series for India launch
28-Sep-2016Agreement follows Amazon's deal with India's Dharma Productions earlier this week.
India's In2Infotainment relaunches with 'I, Daniel Blake'
27-Sep-2016EXCLUSIVE: Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake to be first release from Srinivasan Narayanan's rebooted distribution outfit.
Beineix to head Tokyo competition jury
27-Sep-2016French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Beineix to head jury for Tokyo competition section, which includes five world premieres.
Amazon signs licensing deal with India's Dharma Productions
26-Sep-2016Digital giant to stream titles from Karan Johar's Dharma Productions when it launches in India later this year.
Hong Kong, India, Pakistan set Oscar submissions
22-Sep-2016Hong Kong selects Port Of Call, India opts for Interrogation and Pakistan picks Mar E Mir for best foreign-language film submissions.
Singapore fest to open with 'Interchange'
21-Sep-2016Singapore International Film Festival to open with Dain Iskandar Said's thriller Interchange, which premiered at Locarno.
Well Go USA swoops on 'God Of War'
20-Sep-2016Media Asia pre-sells period action movie about Chinese general who defeated Japanese pirates in 16th Century.
Pinewood opens China office
20-Sep-2016First Beijing consultancy office to be headed by Amanda Halliday.
Garg, Kasbekar launch Ellipsis Entertainment
14-Sep-2016New Indian production house will focus on Hindi-language content.
Six selected for Indian film-makers residency
11-Sep-2016The film-makers will each receive an expert mentor to help develop their feature projects.
Indie VOD service FilmDoo launches crowdfunding campaign
9-Sep-2016Campaign aimed at raising $127,000 (£95,000) to fund technology improvements, product development and marketing for world cinema VOD platform.
China launches probe into Comcast-DreamWorks deal
2-Sep-2016Comcast is planning to acquire the animation studio in a $3.8bn deal.
India's PVR Cinemas denies Wanda stake sale
2-Sep-2016Reports had previously emerged that the Chinese media giant had offered for a majority stake in the exhibitor.
Huayi Brothers forms joint venture with Russo Brothers
30-Aug-2016Huayi Brothers will invest up to $350m in the project.
Disney to scale back Indian production (reports)
26-Aug-2016The Walt Disney Co (India) is scaling back its local-language production, according to local media reports.
Malaysia rallies international team for 'Tombiruo'
25-Aug-2016Seth Larney and Nasir Jani will co-direct the action thriller.
IM Global launches Go Global in Beijing
25-Aug-2016IM Global has launched a Beijing-based venture, Go Global, which aims to connect the booming Chinese film industry to the rest of the world, and will make its debut at the upcoming Venice Film Festival.
Fortissimo Films files for voluntary bankruptcy
17-Aug-2016Hong Kong and Amsterdam-based sales agent Fortissimo Films has filed for voluntary bankruptcy in the Netherlands, bringing to a close the company's 25-year run as a champion of Asian and independent cinema.
Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman' gets China deal with Media Asia
17-Aug-2016Hong Kong-based Media Asia has acquired rights to distribute Martin Scorsese's upcoming crime drama The Irishman in China.
'Train To Busan' prequel 'Seoul Station' sells to North America
11-Aug-2016Finecut also sells horror feature into Europe, Asia.
Wanda acquires Chinese movie portal Mtime
27-Jul-2016Media giant Wanda has purchased the ticketing platform for $350m.
Asian Shadows picks up 'Solo, Solitude'
25-Jul-2016Indonesian adventure drama is set to premiere at Locarno.
Alibaba Pictures acquires 'Life Risking Romance'
25-Jul-2016Korean romantic thriller will be released theatrically and online in China.
Amazon Prime Video spending $300m in India (reports)
20-Jul-2016Amazon is planning to spend $300m on local content as it rolls out its Amazon Prime Video service in India later this year, according to local reports.
Dalian Wanda Group in talks for 49% stake in Paramount (report)
14-Jul-2016Following its acquisition of Odeon & UCI Cinemas earlier this week, Dalian Wanda Group is in talks to buy a 49% stake in Paramount Pictures from Viacom, according to reports.
Dayyan Eng pulls together hot ensemble cast for Wished
14-Jul-2016EXCLUSIVE: Beijing-based filmmaker Dayyan Eng has started shooting contemporary comedy fantasy Wished, with a hot ensemble cast including Xia Yu, Yan Ni, Victoria Song and Pan Binlong.
HBO, CMC join forces for Chinese martial arts films
11-Jul-2016HBO Asia is teaming with China Movie Channel (CMC) on a series of Chinese-language martial arts movies, starting with two films executive produced by Corey Yuen.
Asian Shadows picks up Soul On A String
11-Jul-2016EXCLUSIVE: Asian Shadows has picked up international rights to Zhang Yang's award-winning drama Soul On A String.
John Woo's 'Manhunt' starts shooting in Osaka
20-Jun-2016Production has started on John Woo's highly-anticipated action thriller Manhunt, starring Zhang Hanyu and Masaharu Fukuyama, in Osaka, Japan.
'De Lan' wins best film at Shanghai film festival
20-Jun-2016Chinese director Liu Jie's De Lan won best film at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival, while Vito Palmieri's See You In Texas won the grand jury prize.
Ingenious forms $200m venture with China's Hejing Culture
19-Jun-2016UK-based film financier Ingenious has formed a joint venture with China's Hejing Culture to produce and co-finance a slate of independent films in a deal worth $200m.
Orlando Bloom partners with China's Bliss Media
17-Jun-2016Actor Orlando Bloom is partnering with China's Bliss Media to form a joint production company, BlissBloom Productions, and will star in the venture's first production S.M.A.R.T. Chase: Fire & Earth.
VRPA, Heyi join forces for Jackie Chan thriller
16-Jun-2016Village Roadshow Pictures Asia (VRPA) is teaming with Heyi Pictures to co-finance and co-produce sci-fi thriller Bleeding Steel, starring Jackie Chan.
China-UK Film Fund pacts with SMG Pictures
14-Jun-2016The Zhongze China-UK Film Fund has signed a strategic partnership with SMG Pictures, which kicks off with London-set comedy Special Couple.
Indian court overrules CBFC cuts to Udta Punjab
14-Jun-2016The Bombay High Court has overruled the cuts demanded by India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to upcoming Hindi thriller Udta Punjab, in a landmark ruling that will have a major impact on the state of film censorship in India.
Renny Harlin to direct Alibaba's 'Legend Of The Ancient Sword'
13-Jun-2016Action director Renny Harlin is directing an adaptation of Chinese video game Legend Of The Ancient Sword for China's Alibaba Pictures.
Ang Lee warns Chinese filmmakers to slow down
13-Jun-2016The Life Of Pi director was speaking during the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Former RGM director jailed for forgery in Singapore
12-Jun-2016Former RGM Entertainment CEO Devesh Chetty has been jailed on three charges of forgery, including two related to investments by Singapore's Media Development Authority.
Chinese studios target further acquisitions
12-Jun-2016Chinese studio bosses said they plan to continue their acquisition spree, in order to strengthen the fast-growing local film industry, as the seminar programme at the Shanghai International Film Festival got underway on Sunday.
Viki strikes content deal with China's Huace Group
7-Jun-2016Fan-subbed streaming site Viki.com has signed a multi-territory content deal with China's Huace Group.
AMBI partners with China's SinoLicensing
6-Jun-2016The joint venture will focus on producing both Chinese content and English-language co-productions.
'Cold War 2' to open Shanghai; Werner Herzog's 'Salt And Fire' to world premiere
3-Jun-2016Shanghai International Film Festival unveils 2016 line-up.
IM Global acquired by China's Tang Media, pacts with Tencent
2-Jun-2016Donald Tang's Tang Media Partners (TMP) has acquired a majority stake in US firm IM Global, which is also partnering with Chinese tech giant Tencent on a TV production venture.
FilmDoo launches platform for Southeast Asian cinema
2-Jun-2016UK-based streaming service FilmDoo is expanding its line-up with a focus on Southeast Asian cinema, including titles such as banned documentary Boundary and Tom Waller's The Last Executioner [pictured].
Wong Kar Wai, Peter Chan sign with Huanxi Media
2-Jun-2016Wong Kar Wai to direct two web series as part of the production deals.
China's Enlight Media invests in ticketing platform Maoyan
31-May-2016Beijing-based studio Enlight Media is paying $245m for a 19% stake in China's largest online ticketing platform Maoyan.
'SPL2: A Time For Consequences' sold to Japan
20-May-2016Hong Kong-based Young Live Entertainment (YLE) has sold action title SPL2: A Time For Consequences to Japan's Twin Co.
'Raman Raghav 2.0' star Nawazuddin Siddiqui to play Indian writer Manto
18-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Gangs Of Wasseypur actor will star in Nandita Das' biopic.
Anurag Kashyap's 'Giddy' on US-India genre slate
17-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Blumhouse, Ivanhoe and Phantom Films are teaming on a slate of three local-language films.
'Twisted Justice' to open NYAFF
17-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Go Ayano stars in the film crime drama based on detective Yoshiaki Inaba's autobiography.
'Twilight' star joins Australian thriller 'Bad Blood'
17-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Xavier Samuel has joined the Australian suspense thriller along with San Andreas actor Morgan Griffin.
India to receive producers portal
17-May-2016India's Minister of State revealed the portal in Cannes.
Singapore's mm2, Boulderlight US team for 'Good Match'
16-May-2016The US-Singapore thriller will start shooting in July.
China's Bliss Media launches $150m fund
16-May-2016Fund will aim to provide equity investment for international film and television projects.
Singapore fest reveals mentors
16-May-2016Anocha Suwichakornpong and Bernard Chauly will mentor at this year's Singapore International Film Festival.
Fortissimo sells 'The White King' to Signature for UK
16-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Signature has picked up rights for the UK and Ireland on Jörg Tittel and Alex Helfrecht's sci-fi.
Alibaba Pictures raises $260m for Taobao Movie
16-May-2016Online ticketing platform was launched in 2014 and is now one of the biggest ticket-sellers in China.
Midi Z's 'Road To Mandalay' secures German co-producer
16-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Ice Poison director Midi Z directs the drama, which is in post-production.
Distant Horizon picks up China Star's 'League Of Gods'
15-May-2016Fantasy film from director Koan Xu stars Jet Li [pictured].
Sri Lanka's Film Island to attract international shoots
15-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Company will aim to attract international productions to Sri Lanka.
'Vanishing Point' team reuinte on 'Departure Day'
15-May-2016Vanishing Point DoP Phuttiphong Aroonphen is making his directorial debut on the film.
Thailand launches 20% production incentive
14-May-2016The Thai government has approved a rebate for international productions that spend at least $1.5m.
China's iQiyi launches international sales arm
14-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Streaming company's new sales outfit is in Cannes with a slate of Chinese films.
Screen's Asian Rising Stars revealed by NYAFF
14-May-2016The recipients of the Screen International Rising Star Asia awards this year are from Japan, China and the Philippines.
India's Mallika Sherawat joins China's 'Time Raiders'
14-May-2016Daniel Lee's latest feature is based on a novel and screenplay from Uncle Three.
India's NFDC sells classics including 'Ghandi' to Zee
14-May-2016The Indian company will show the titles, totalling 49, as part of an NFDC film festival.
Fox picks up Taiwanese adaptation 'At Café 6'
13-May-2016Adaptation of Fujii Izuki's novel stars Dong Zijian and Cherry Ngan.
Gaga to handle first non-Japanese title 'The Great Invisible'
13-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: SXSW-winning documentary marks the first time Gaga has handled a non-Japanese title.
India's Zee Studios takes 'Half Girlfriend', 'Flying Jatt'
13-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Indian outfit has picked up rights to two titles from Balaji Motion Pictures.
Chin Ka-lok assembles 'Golden Job' cast
13-May-2016Ekin Cheng [pictured], Jordan Chan, Michael Tse and Jerry Lamb will star alongside Chin.
Finecut inks 'The World Of Us' deals
13-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Sales outfit also closes deals for Fatal Intuition and Love Guide For Dumpees.
Malaysian films to be showcased at Cannes
13-May-2016Malaysia's film development corporation will showcase 10 films at the festival.
Fortissimo Films takes 'The Chocolate Case'
12-May-2016Documentary tells the story of three journalists who uncover child slavery in the chocolate industry.
Media Asia inks 'God Of War', 'Line Walker' deals
12-May-2016Sales outfit has also closed deals on two Johnny To titles.
Travis Fimmel to lead sci-fi epic 'Inversion'
12-May-2016Peter Segal will direct from a Paul Haggis, David Arata and Bragi Schut script.
Kino Lorber launches South Asian distribution label Silk Road
12-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Label is designed to drive Asian cinema into US.
Reel Suspects takes Malaysia's 'Interchange'; XYZ to rep N America
12-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: The film is a follow-up to Bunohan: Return To Murder.
Edko launches 'Someone To Talk To' sales
12-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Film is an adaptation of Liu Zhenyun's award-winning novel One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand.
Gaga launches manga adaptation 'Drowning Love'
12-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Film is an adaptation of popular Japanese manga Oboreru Kaifu.
Golden Scene takes rights to 'Weeds On Fire'
12-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Baseball film recenrtly premiered at HKIFF.
Tokyo fest to fete Mamoru Hosoda and Shunji Iwai
11-May-2016Hosoda will be the subject of the festival's Animation Focus, while Iwai will be the Director In Focus.
Finecut inks 'The Wailing' deals
11-May-2016Out of Competition Cannes title goes to France, French-speaking Benelux and Switzerland.
Wanda to co-finance Paramount's TMNT2
11-May-2016China's Wanda Cinema Line and its subsidiary Movie Media Group are co-financing Paramount Pictures upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows.
Wanda launches 'Battle Of Memories', 'For A Few Bullets'
11-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Chinese outfit is launching sales at Cannes.
Well Go swoops on Johnnie To thriller 'Three' for US, UK
11-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Three stars Louis Koo, Wallace Chung and Vicki Zhao Wei.
Nikkatsu takes Japanese punk inspired 'The Blue Hearts'
11-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Omnibus film was inspired by a Japanese punk band.
Alibaba Pictures invests $154m in Dadi Cinemas
10-May-2016Alibaba Pictures has announced plans to invest $154m (RMB1bn) in convertible bonds issued by Chinese exhibitor Guangdong Dadi Cinema Construction.
Indian hit 'P.K.' set for theatrical release in Japan
5-May-2016EXCLUSIVE: Rajkumar Hirani's P.K., starring Aamir Khan, is heading for a theatrical release in Japan following a deal between Nikkatsu and Indian studio UTV Motion Pictures.
Thai Pitch lines up three projects for Cannes
4-May-2016Directors of critically-acclaimed dramas The Blue Hour and 36 among the filmmakers presenting projects at Thai Pitch this year.
Fortissimo picks up 'The White King'
28-Apr-2016Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to dystopian drama The White King, starring Jonathan Pryce, Greta Scacchi and Agyness Deyn.
Viva takes North America rights to 'The Unbidden'
27-Apr-2016Viva Pictures has acquired North America rights to Quentin Lee's The Unbidden, following its world premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival last week.
Stan Lee, India's Phantom team on superhero movie
25-Apr-2016Mumbai-based Phantom Films is joining forces with Graphic India and Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment to co-produce a live-action feature, Chakra The Invincible, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.
'The Jungle Book' becomes India's biggest Hollywood film
21-Apr-2016Boosted by local cultural connections, Disney's The Jungle Book has become the highest-grossing Hollywood film ever in India, taking $23.8m (Rs1.58bn) in 12 days.
China-UK Film Fund partners with Duncan Heath's ITG
21-Apr-2016EXCLUSIVE: Fund backed by Zhongze Asset Management and Varcale Capital Management partners with four UK companies.
Film London duo, 6 Sales boss join Indian studio
18-Apr-2016EXCLUSIVE: India's Cinestaan Film Company has hired Film London execs Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar and Madrid-based sales agent Marina Fuentes to head up its ambitious new international division.
Giuseppe Tornatore, David Twohy line up China projects
18-Apr-2016Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore and US writer-director David Twohy are developing projects with China, which were both announced on the first full day of the Beijing International Film Festival (April 16-23).
Alibaba to invest in 'TMNT2', 'Star Trek Beyond'
18-Apr-2016China's Alibaba Pictures has signed to invest in two further projects from Paramount Pictures – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows and Star Trek Beyond.
Cannes: Luxbox closes pre-sales on 'Apprentice'
15-Apr-2016Paris-based sales agent Luxbox has sealed a string of deals on Cannes Un Certain Regard title Apprentice, including a sale to France's Version Originale Condor.
Well Go USA: growing audiences for Asian movies
12-Apr-2016Currently one of the most active distributors of Asian movies in the North America market, Well Go USA Entertainment distributes action, genre and US indie films across all platforms, including theatrical, DVD and VOD.
Bona completes privatisation with Alibaba investment
10-Apr-2016Bona Film Group has finalised its delisting from the NASDAQ and subsequent privatisation process, following which Alibaba Pictures has an 8.94% stake in the Beijing-based studio.
Brett Ratner to head Beijing film festival jury
7-Apr-2016Director-producer Brett Ratner will head the competition jury of this year's Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), which runs April 16-23.
Skydance, Alibaba team on 'Flying Tigers'
7-Apr-2016Skydance and China's Alibaba Pictures will jointly finance and produce Flying Tigers, a World War II drama to be scripted by Braveheart writer Randall Wallace.
Thai horror 'Take Me Home' travels to SE Asia
29-Mar-2016Thailand's M Pictures has closed a string of sales on horror film Take Me Home, directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri, which it launched at Hong Kong's Filmart earlier this month.
China-US Summit talks China co-pro, export blues
28-Mar-2016China's domestic box office may be booming – and Chinese finance flowing into Hollywood movies – but speakers at the China-US Motion Picture Summit (March 25) discussed how successful Chinese co-productions and film exports remain scarce.
Dick Cook in talks for further Chinese, Malaysian financing
26-Mar-2016Former Disney chairman Dick Cook's new venture is in talks with further Chinese investors, including Film Carnival, and Malaysian fund Khazanah, it emerged during the China-US Motion Picture Summit, hosted by Cook's lead investor CITIC Guoan.
Gaga moves into animation, unveils 2016 slate
24-Mar-2016The Japanese distributor will release Gods Of Egypt and Pride And Prejudice And Zombies in September.
India box office: mid-budget and Hollywood booming
23-Mar-2016Modest budget films are outperforming bigger budget fare in India, while Hollywood films doubled their market share in 2015.
Taiwan's Catchplay launches VOD platform
23-Mar-2016The distributor has partnered with StarHub and Telkom Indonesia to roll out the new service in Q2 2016.
CTE lands 'Mermaid' pay-TV rights
22-Mar-2016Hong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has acquired exclusive pay-TV rights to Stephen Chow's The Mermaid for its channels in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.
Flagship Entertainment unveils debut slate
16-Mar-2016Flagship Entertainment, a joint venture between Warner Bros, China Media Capital (CMC) and TVB, has unveiled its debut slate, including projects from Hong Kong filmmakers Peter Chan, Wong Jing and Stephen Fung.
John Woo's 'Manhunt' casts leads
16-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Chinese star Zhang Hanyu and Japan's Masaharu Fukuyama have been confirmed as the first leading cast for John Woo's upcoming action thriller Manhunt.
Berlin title 'Old Stone' scooped up by Asian Shadows
15-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Chinese drama centres on the culture of hit-and-run incidents in the country.
Indonesia's Putrama Tuta readies 'Happy Birthday Every Day' shoot
15-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Film centres on a dead writer who discovers he is living inside his own story.
New firm The One Entertainment to invest in HK talent
15-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: New finance-distribution company launched by former Tomson exec and a fund manager.
Johnnie To, Ann Hui join new Macao film festival
15-Mar-2016Filmmakers Johnnie To and Ann Hui have been named as ambassadors for the first International Film Festival and Awards Macao (IFFA Macao), to take place December 8-13.
Arclight acquires Danny Pang horror 'Delusion'
14-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Arclight Films' Asian label Easternlight has picked up international rights to Danny Pang's upcoming horror film Delusion, starring fast-rising actor-singer Chau Pakho.
'Sword Master 3D' cuts US, UK deals
14-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Well Go USA has acquired North American and UK rights to Derek Yee's highly-anticipated martial arts epic Sword Master 3D.
Young Live debuts with 'Game Changer', 'Kungfu'
14-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based start-up Young Live Entertainment (YLE) is introducing its debut slate at Filmart, including action titles The Game Changer, starring Huang Zitao and Peter Ho, and Kungfu Is Not Fighting, directed by Marco Mak.
IM Global launch romantic dramas at Filmart
14-Mar-2016Romantic duo produced by China's Huayi Brothers.
Southeast Asia readies SEAFIC script lab
14-Mar-2016Southeast Asia's first ever script lab – the Southeast Asian Fiction Film Lab (SEAFIC) – is launching in Thailand and Singapore this year with support from the Purin Foundation, Singapore Film Commission and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aguilar to head Huayi Brothers animation unit
14-Mar-2016Former Oriental DreamWorks executive Joe Aguilar has been appointed to head Huayi Brothers Wink Animation, a newly-launched subsidiary of China's Huayi Brothers Media Corp.
Filmart 2016: Hot titles - Hong Kong, China
13-Mar-2016An exciting crop of Hong Kong and mainland China projects are spotlighted by Liz Shackleton, who reports on the increasing efforts to support Cantonese-language film-making
Golden Network to sell Jackie Chan-produced sci-fi 'Reset'
13-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to China-Korean co-production Reset, produced by Jackie Chan and directed by South Korea's Chang.
Le Vision unveils 'The Lost Tomb', fantasy epic 'L.O.R.D.'
13-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures is to unveil Daniel Lee's action suspense title The Lost Tomb and Guo Jingming's fantasy epic L.O.R.D. at Hong Kong's Filmart.
Benny Chan's 'Call Of Heroes' sold to US, UK
13-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Martial arts epic also sold to Germany and several Asian territories.
Yuen Woo-ping's 'Hand Over Fist' on Emperor's Filmart slate
13-Mar-2016Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is launching sales on new titles from Yuen Woo-ping, Fruit Chan and Ho Yuhang at Filmart.
Mega Vision accepts 'Mission Milano' with Lau, Xiaoming
13-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Action comedy directed by Wong Jing; Hong Kong firm also launching the final instalment in the Colour trilogy.
Distribution Workshop launches sales on Ann Hui's 'The Great Escape'
13-Mar-2016EXCLUSIVE: Wartime drama stars Zhou Xun [pictured] and Eddie Peng.
Fox companies join forces for major Chinese-language push
13-Mar-2016Fox International Productions (FIP) and Fox Networks Group Asia (FNG Asia) are joining forces to develop and co-produce Chinese-language content, including films, mini-series and TV series, for global distribution.
Hong Kong Filmart: Asia's knowledge platform
10-Mar-2016Hong Kong Filmart has evolved in line with Asia's flourishing film businesses to become an event that is much more than buying and selling. Liz Shackleton reports.
Grasshopper picks up Bi Gan's 'Kaili Blues'
8-Mar-2016New York-based Grasshopper Film has acquired US rights to Chinese director Bi Gan's Kaili Blues, which won two awards at last year's Locarno film festival.
'The Mermaid' crosses $500m at China box office
7-Mar-2016Stephen Chow's The Mermaid has grossed more than $500m at the Chinese box office and will climb even higher as its run has been extended by three months.
How heavyweight US-China deals are shaping the global business
7-Mar-2016Chinese investment is now racing into Hollywood and for once Hollywood is not in the driving seat. Liz Shackleton looks at what this means for the global film industry and discovers the smart money is now on the entrance of China's tech giants.
Oscar films face tough road in China
2-Mar-2016Although The Revenant is set for a March release in China, very few Oscar winners make it to the big screen in the world's second largest market.
Finecut picks up music drama 'One Step'
2-Mar-2016Seoul-based sales company Finecut has picked up music-themed drama One Step, starring K-pop singer Sandara Park, Han Jae-seok and Cho Dong-in.
Ye Ning appointed CEO of Huayi Brothers Pictures
2-Mar-2016Former Wanda executive Ye Ning has been appointed as CEO of Huayi Brothers Pictures, overseeing the studio's film production, distribution and cinema business.
Irrfan Khan to co-produce, star in 'Roses'
1-Mar-2016Irrfan Khan is set to co-produce and star in Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa S. Farooki's No Bed Of Roses, which is scheduled to start shooting later this month.
China's Bona Film Group set to release 'The Revenant', 'Room'
29-Feb-2016Bona Film Group is set to handle distribution of Oscar winners The Revenant and Room in mainland China.
HKIFF to open with Trivisa, Chongqing Hotpot
24-Feb-2016Johnnie To-produced Trivisa and Yang Qing's Chongqing Hotpot will open this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 21-April 4), while Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Creepy will close the event.
Speakers unveiled for China-US Motion Picture Summit
24-Feb-2016Screenwriter Randall Wallace (Braveheart), producer Don Hahn (The Lion King) and Bill Borden, co-executive producer of The Mermaid, are among the speakers for the first China-US Motion Picture Summit (March 25).
Scorsese's Film Foundation teams with Indian heritage orgs
23-Feb-2016Martin Scorsese's The Film Foundation is among the organsiations working with India's Film Heritage Foundation on a film preservation workshop that kicks off this week (Feb 26-March 6).
Universal, Perfect World strike $500m financing deal
17-Feb-2016Universal Pictures and China's Perfect World Pictures have entered into a multi-year financing agreement, including films across the entire Universal slate.?
Marco Mueller to head new Macau film festival
15-Feb-2016Marco Mueller has been appointed director of the inaugural Macau International Film Festival (Dec 8-13).
Berlin: Leading industry figures show Busan solidarity
15-Feb-2016Busan International Film Festival has been under government pressure since 2014.
'Theeb' sold across Europe, Asia ahead of Oscars
15-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films inks deals for Jordanian feature that won a Bafta last night.
Infinitum boards 'The Sweet Requiem'
15-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Film follows a young Tibetan woman living in exile in Delhi.
Korea's 'Office', 'Trap' secure EFM sales
15-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: 9ers Entertainment has also secured deals for Hong Won-Chan's Cannes title Office.
Malaysia's Bront Palarae developing 'Dawn Raid'
15-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: The Halfwords-actor will direct and star in the English-language project.
Southeast Asia forms film alliance
15-Feb-2016Film ASEAN brings together government film development agencies from the 10 nations in the region.
Emir Kusturica to head Shanghai fest jury
14-Feb-2016Ian McKellen will attend the festival on behalf of the BFI and British Council's Shakespeare on Film programme.
Korea's Mirovision acquires UK drama 'Chicken'
14-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Korean sales agent has taken international rights to Joe Stephenson's directorial debut.
More In swings with 'The Monkey King 2'
14-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Korean sales outfit is selling the China box office hit and Dejan Zecevic's The Rift at EFM.
Finecut sells 'Chromite' to Germany, Taiwan
13-Feb-2016Seoul-based sales company Finecut has closed the first raft of deals on John H. Lee's Operation Chromite, starring Liam Neeson, which has gone to Splendid Film for Germany, Austria and Benelux.
Reliance, Phantom to remake France's 'La Famille Belier'
13-Feb-2016Eric Lartigau's Cesar-winning drama has sold rights for remakes in multiple languages.
Charlotte Rampling to star in 'Valley Of The Gods'
13-Feb-2016Lech Majewski's sci-fi epic also adds John Rhys-Davies to cast.
EFM hosts inaugural Sino-European Production Seminar
13-Feb-2016Event is designed to help European producers develop co-productions with China.
Media Asia launches Jia Zhangke martial arts film
13-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong outfit also introduces Jia Zhangke martial arts project to buyers.
Taiwan to get new distributor
13-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: A Really Happy Film Company is being launched by N&J Enterprises and CMC Magnetics.
Taiwan's Ablaze takes 'Le Moulin' rights
13-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Huang Ya-li's documentary screened at the recent International Film Festival Rotterdam.
EMP launches sales on 'Heaven In The Dark'
12-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong Film Awards-nominated drama stars Karena Lam and Jacky Cheung.
Edko Films to sell 'Everybody's Fine' at EFM
12-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Zhang Meng's remake of Guiseppe Tornatore's Stanno Tutti Bene stars Zhang Guoli.
'Baahubali: The Beginning' secures China release
11-Feb-2016The record-breaking Indian blockbuster will be released in Chinese cinemas in May.
Bliss Media takes stake in Maraval's Insiders
11-Feb-2016Sales outfit was launched by Wild Bunch and Cine France at Cannes last year.
Stef Dawson, Wu Zun, Shane Jacobson join 'Nest'
11-Feb-2016The Chinese-Australian co-pro is currently shooting in Australia.
IM Global nets Stephen Chow's 'The Mermaid'
11-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Stephen Chow's comedy grossed a record $41m on its opening day in China, a record for a domestic title.
Gaga brings Takashi Miike's 'Terraformars' to EFM
11-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Sci-fi action film set for release by Warner Bros in Japan in April.
Toho launches sales on 'Rage' at EFM
11-Feb-2016EXCLUSIVE: Japanese suspense drama stars Ken Watanabe.
Fortissimo signs multi-picture deal with Zhang Wei
8-Feb-2016Fortissimo Films has signed a multi-picture deal with Chinese filmmaker Zhang Wei, which includes his first two features, Factory Boss and Destiny.
HKIFF to host Bruce Lee, Shakespeare screenings
8-Feb-2016This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) will screen the digitally remastered films of Bruce Lee, as well as a special programme to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
'The Assassin' leads nods for Asian Film Awards
3-Feb-2016Hou Hsiao-hsien's The Assassin leads the nominations for the 10th Asian Film Awards with nine nods, followed by India's Bajirao Mastani and Hong Kong's Port Of Call with five apiece.
Former Youku Tudou vice president detained by police
1-Feb-2016Lu Fanxi, former vice president of Chinese streaming platform Youku Tudou and general manager of Youku Original, has been detained by local police on charges of corruption.
Japan box office up by 4.9% to $1.83bn in 2015
28-Jan-2016Jurassic World and Big Hero 6 proved the top grossers of the year.
China's iQiyi signs output deal with Fox
28-Jan-2016Chinese streaming platform iQiyi has signed a multi-year film output agreement with 20th Century Fox.
DMG, Hasbro plot live Transformers show for China
27-Jan-2016China's DMG Entertainment has reached an agreement with Hasbro to create a live action show, Transformers Live, based on the Transformers franchise.
India's Reliance to co-produce Serge Hazanavicius' 'nOmber One'
25-Jan-2016India's Reliance Entertainment is teaming with two French production companies – Julie Gayet's Rouge International and Elisa Soussan's myFamily – to co-produce Serge Hazanavicius' mountaineering drama nOmber One.
The 54 films to tempt festival directors in 2016
6-Jan-2016From debut feature directors to seasoned veterans, Screen looks ahead to the films most likely to tempt international festival directors in 2016
China's Wanda Group poised to buy stake in Legendary
5-Jan-2016China's Dalian Wanda Group is reportedly in talks to acquire a majority stake in Legendary Entertainment.
Alibaba Pictures removes missing digital chief
4-Jan-2016Alibaba Pictures has removed group digital content chief, Patrick Liu Chunning, who has been in police custody relating to a corruption investigation since July 2015.
China box office up by 49% to $6.78bn in 2015
4-Jan-2016China's box office grew by 48.7% to hit a record $6.78bn (RM44bn) in 2015, according to the state film regulator, with local films grossing $4.17bn (RMB27.1bn) or 61.58% of the total haul.
Viki makes China push with Xiaomi tie-up
18-Dec-2015Fan-subbed streaming service Viki.com has launched a Chinese version of its website and partnered with smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi as its video streaming partner in select international markets.
Bouzid, Soliman win top prizes at DIFF
16-Dec-2015Leyla Bouzid's As I Open My Eyes won best fiction film in the Muhr Feature competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), while Mahmood Soliman's We Have Never Been Kids scooped best non-fiction film and best director.
Alibaba, Tencent join Bona privatisation
16-Dec-2015Subsidiaries of Chinese internet titans Alibaba and Tencent are among the entities investing in Bona Film Group as the Chinese studio delists from the NASDAQ stock exchange.
Studiocanal, DMG team for T2 3D re-release
16-Dec-2015Studiocanal and Beijing-based DMG Entertainment are teaming with James Cameron on a 3D re-release of Terminator 2.
Q&A: Rishika Lulla Singh, CEO, Eros Digital
15-Dec-2015The head of Eros International's digital division discusses the growth of VOD in India.
Zentropa sets up first Sino-Danish co-production
15-Dec-2015My Best Friend Andersen will be based on the work of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.
DIFF: Zawya plots arthouse expansion
14-Dec-2015Egypt's Zawya Cinema is expanding outside Cairo to other Egyptian cities as it taps into the country's small but growing audience for arthouse films.
DIFF: Nasser seeks shelter with Kharsa debut
13-Dec-2015Jordanian producer Rula Nasser has boarded Egyptian filmmaker Kasem Kharsa's feature debut Shelter.
DIFF: Netflix plots move into Arabic-language content
13-Dec-2015Netflix is hoping to produce a scripted series set in the Middle East as the streaming giant gears up to launch across the region next year, said content chief Ted Sarandos in a live link-up to the Dubai Film Market (DFM).
DIFF: Drishyam to make Arabic debut
11-Dec-2015Indian producer-distributor Drishyam Films is in pre-production on its first Arabic-language project, Triangle, to be directed by Iranian filmmaker Shahram Alidi.
DIFF: MAD's ACC expands footprint
11-Dec-2015MAD Solutions' Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is expanding its activity in 2016 by attending 15 international film festivals and markets to promote Arab cinema.
DIFF: Kaylif's Letter Writer wins IWC Award
10-Dec-2015Layla Kaylif's The Letter Writer was awarded the $100,000 IWC Filmmaker Award at a ceremony at the One & Only Mirage in Dubai on Thursday night.
DIFF: MENA rides digital wave
10-Dec-2015Growth in over-the-top (OTT) television services and other digital platforms is set to have a huge impact on content production in the Arab world, according to PwC report Beyond Digital, which was presented at DIFF yesterday.
Larry Yang, Mountain Cry
10-Dec-2015Larry Yang talks about how he adapted a rural Chinese story set in the 1980s for contemporary audiences in China and overseas.
Warner Bros' Richard Fox to relocate to Beijing
10-Dec-2015Warner Bros executive vice president Richard Fox is relocating to Beijing to drive the studio's activities in China and oversee its interest in Flagship Entertainment, a joint venture with China Media Capital (CMC).
DIFF: MAD ahead of The Curve, Summer Crowds
10-Dec-2015MAD Solutions has acquired pan-Arab rights to seven films in this year's DIFF line-up, including The Curve and Before The Summer Crowds, which receive their world premieres in the Muhr feature competition today.
DIFF: Movie Pigs feasts on Arab cinema
10-Dec-2015North American audiences will soon have access to a wide range of independent Arab cinema through SVOD platform Movie Pigs, backed by US tech investor Dave McClure.
Ho Yuhang's 'Mrs K' starts kicking with Sonneratia, EMP
9-Dec-2015Malaysia's Sonneratia Capital and Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures are financing Ho Yuhang's action film Mrs K, which has recently started production.
China's box office hits $6.24bn in 2015
7-Dec-2015China's box office has passed the $6.24bn (RMB40bn) benchmark, an increase of more than 48% compared to the same period last year, according to state news agency Xinhua.
'Tharlo' wins top prize at Tokyo Filmex
30-Nov-2015Tibetan director Pema Tseden's Tharlo was awarded both the Grand Prize and the student jury prize at this year's Tokyo Filmex, which wrapped on Sunday night (Nov 29).
'Gurgaon', 'Machines' win Film Bazaar awards
26-Nov-2015Shanker Raman's Gurgaon and Rahul Jain's Machines both picked up Prasad Digital Intermediate Awards at the close of Film Bazaar on Nov 25.
India's 'The New Classmate' sold to France, Germany, Austria
24-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hindi-language drama sold by Films Boutique.
Bajpayee, Tambe join 'Unknown Faces'
24-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Manoj Bajpayee [pictured] and Smita Tambe will star in Atanu Mukherjee's Unknown Faces, produced by Drishyam Films, which is scheduled to start shooting on December 11.
Anti-corruption doc gets Sundance grant
24-Nov-2015Proposition For A Revolution, directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Sundance Documentary Film Programme.
Netflix creates series from 'Gangs of Wasseypur'
24-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Netflix will stream Anurag Kashyap's Gangs Of Wasseypur as an eight-part mini-series in the US and Canada in the first week of December.
Jar Pictures climbs 'Mountain' with Arriaga
23-Nov-2015Mumbai-based Jar Pictures is attending Film Bazaar with a busy, multiple-language slate, including Ajitpal Singh's The Man Who Broke The Mountain, to be co-produced by Mexican writer-producer Guillermo Arriaga [pictured].
Dolce Vita joins Oddjoint's 'Nuclear Hearts'
23-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Marc Irmer's Paris-based Dolce Vita Films will co-produce Bornila Chatterjee's Nuclear Hearts with Kolkata-based Oddjoint Art.
YouTube India content chief: avoid 'Syndrome 52'
22-Nov-2015YouTube India content chief Satya Raghavan explained how Indian filmmakers can bypass theatrical windows and create content for YouTube and other digital platforms, at the opening session of Film Bazaar's Knowledge Series yesterday.
Sikhya ramps up distribution
22-Nov-2015Sikhya Entertainment is entering Indian and international distribution starting with Mozez Singh's Busan opener Zubaan [pictured], which its plans to release in India in January 2016.
CDP joins Sengupta's 'Memories And My Mother'
22-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: French producer Catherine Dussart, who co-produced Gurvinder Singh's The Fourth Direction, has boarded Aditya Vikram Sengupta's Memories And My Mother, which is selected for the Co-Production Market at Film Bazaar this year.
India's new FFO to act as one-stop shop for Indian shoots
21-Nov-2015Foreign and local producers who want to shoot in India now have a central agency they can contact, the Film Facilitation Office (FFO), to help with obtaining shooting permissions and sourcing locations and crew.
Ambre, Oddjoint punch for 'Boxers' feature
21-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: French producer Sylvain Bursztejn's Ambre Films is joining forces with Celine Loop and Q's Kolkata-based Oddjoint to produce a feature version of Alka Raghuram's documentary Burqa Boxers.
Film Bazaar's WIP explores changing India
21-Nov-2015Projects exploring the role of women in Indian society and the country's rapid economic development feature heavily in the line-up for this year's Work-in-Progress Lab at Film Bazaar, which includes six fiction and five documentary features.
Film Bazaar: India turns up the volume
20-Nov-2015SCREEN SUBSCRIBERS: Film Bazaar in Goa, India's leading independent film event, is the place to meet the country's growing ranks of internationally focused film-makers.
M-Line snags KAFA grads
6-Nov-2015EXCLUSIVE: Seoul-based sales agent M-Line Distribution has signed an agreement to handle all graduate films from the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), one of South Korea's leading film schools.
Finecut picks up Na Hong-jin mystery 'Gokseong'
5-Nov-2015Seoul-based sales company Finecut has picked up international rights to Gokseong.
M-Line has 'Wonderful Nightmare'
4-Nov-2015Seoul-based sales agent M-Line Distribution has picked up new titles from Lee Joon-ik and Lee Sung-gang and sealed a Japanese deal on Kang Hyo-jin's Wonderful Nightmare [pictured].
Finecut lands Neeson war movie
4-Nov-2015Korea's Finecut has picked up John H Lee's upcoming war movie Operation Chromite, starring Liam Neeson as General Douglas MacArthur.
China & HK: indie and arthouse space facing challenges
2-Nov-2015SCREEN SUBSCRIBERS: Despite another record year at the Chinese box office, buyers, sellers and distributors in the independent and arthouse space have less to celebrate.
Buzz Titles: China & Hong Kong
2-Nov-2015SCREEN SUBSCRIBERS: High-rolling sequels, a Wong Kar Wai-produced rom-com and Johnnie To's latest crime thriller: Liz Shackleton previews the top titles marching out of China and Hong Kong
Hansal Mehta talks gay victimisation drama 'Aligarh'
30-Oct-2015Hansal Mehta discusses his latest film Aligarh, about the victimisation of a gay university professor, which played as the opening film of this year's Mumbai Film Festival.
Androids, heritage in the frame at Tokyo fest
27-Oct-2015An android actress, giant anime robots and the legacy of Akira Kurosawa were among the offerings at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which as always presented an interesting mix of old and new.
TIFFCOM highlights growing Asian ambition
23-Oct-2015Two seminars at this year's TIFFCOM (October 20-22) in Tokyo touched on Asia's ambition to make pan-regional or international movies without Hollywood's help.
TIFFCOM: Netflix Japan talks up interest in US originals
20-Oct-2015Speaking at TIFFCOM today, Netflix Japan vice president David Lee reported strong interest in the company's US originals such as Daredevil, despite the Japanese audience's usual indifference to Hollywood content.
Alibaba offers to buy out Youku Tudou
16-Oct-2015Alibaba previously purchased 16.5% of the streaming platform in 2014 for $1.2bn.
DIFF unveils shortlist for IWC Filmmaker Award
15-Oct-2015Qatari director Khalifa Al Muraikhi, Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen and Emirati director Layla Kaylif have been shortlisted for the IWC Filmmaker Award at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
Q&A: Matthew Liu, Heyi Pictures
13-Oct-2015Matthew Liu, president of Youku Tudou's film arm Heyi Pictures, talks about the company's international expansion plans and the convergence of the film and internet industries in China.
Alibaba to invest in Korea's Real
12-Oct-2015Alibaba Pictures Group (APG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to invest in Korean action film Real, set to star Kim Soo-hyun.
Film Bazaar unveils line-up of 19 projects
12-Oct-2015Co-production Market to feature new projects from Kanu Behl, Aditya Vikram Sengupta and Nandita Das, along with Ritesh Batra's first project as a producer.
Chow Yun Fat to star in 'Cold War 2'
12-Oct-2015Chow Yun Fat has joined the cast of Edko Films' Cold War 2, directed by Longman Leung and Sunny Luk, which is currently in production.
'Immortal', 'Walnut Tree' win at Busan
12-Oct-2015Iranian filmmaker Hadi Mohaghegh's Immortal and Walnut Tree from Kazakhstan's Yerlan Nurmukhambetov were presented with the New Currents Awards at the close of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Saturday night.
Mumbai Film Festival unveils line-up
8-Oct-2015Hansal Mehta's Aligarh will open the festival this year, while there will be a restored screening of Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy.
Busan: Asian Film Market grapples with timing, industry future
7-Oct-2015This year's Asian Film Market (Oct 3-6) worked hard to address developments transforming the pan-Asian film industry but compared to previous years, business appeared to be slow.
Joko Anwar talks 'A Copy Of My Mind'
6-Oct-2015Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar on his new film A Copy Of My Mind.
Busan: Larry Yang talks 'Mountain Cry'
6-Oct-2015Larry Yang, director of Busan closing film Mountain Cry, explains how he adapted a rural Chinese story set in the 1980s for contemporary audiences in China and overseas.
Malaysia's Sonneratia backs Asia Tropical, Red Films
6-Oct-2015EXCLUSIVE: Malaysia's Sonneratia Capital has signed partial slate financing arrangements with two local production companies – Lina Tan's Red Films and Adrian Teh's Asia Tropical Films.
Tom Shu-yu Lin talks 'Zinnia Flower'
5-Oct-2015Taiwanese filmmaker Tom Shu-yu Lin explains how making drama Zinnia Flower became a cathartic part of the grieving process after losing his wife.
Mipcom: On demand in demand
5-Oct-2015SCREEN SUBSCRIBERS: On demand in demand; The impact of Netflix in Australia; Asia's VOD players.
Busan: Eddie Cahyono, Ifa Isfansyah enter 'The Wasted Land'
4-Oct-2015Indonesian filmmakers Eddie Cahyono and Ifa Isfansyah talk about their APM project The Wasted Land and the thriving indie filmmaking scene in Jogjakarta.
Busan: Zhang Yang takes 'Paths Of The Soul'
4-Oct-2015The latest feature from Beijing-based filmmaker Zhang Yang is the ultimate road movie – following a group of Tibetan Buddhists as they make a 2,000km pilgrimage to and from Lhasa, prostrating themselves every few metres of the way.
Hong Kong's Fame Universal revs up 'F-Team'
4-Oct-2015Hong Kong-based Fame Universal Entertainment is producing a feature adaptation of top-rating Chinese reality TV show F-Team, starring Korean actor Lee Min Ho.
Singapore's Viddsee raises $2.3m
4-Oct-2015Singapore-based short film platform Viddsee has raised $2.3m in its latest funding round with Japan's CyberAgent Ventures (CAV) as lead investor.
Kim Dong-ho to head APSA international jury
4-Oct-2015BIFF co-founder and honorary director Kim Dong-ho has been appointed as president of the international jury for this year's Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA).
'Polis Evo' burns up Malaysian box office
3-Oct-2015Malaysian action comedy Polis Evo has given the local film industry a much-needed boost, grossing $1.8m (RM8m) in 11 days, to become the highest-grossing local film of 2015.
Mozez Singh talks Busan opener 'Zubaan'
2-Oct-2015Nine years in the making, Mozez Singh's feature directorial debut is the story of a young man who escapes his humble roots in Punjab to become a big shot in the corporate world in both Delhi and Dubai.
Jackie Chan's 'Kung Fu Yoga' starts shooting in Dubai
28-Sep-2015The first project under the China-India co-production agreement – Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan – is shooting in Dubai from today (Sep 28).
Warner Bros, China Media Capital form production venture
21-Sep-2015Warner Bros and China Media Capital (CMC) are forming a joint venture, Hong Kong-based Flagship Entertainment Group, to develop Chinese-language films for the international market.
Tencent boards 'Warcraft', 'Magic Blade'
18-Sep-2015Chinese internet giant Tencent has announced a remake of Shaw Brothers classic The Magic Blade and has also boarded Legendary Pictures' adaptation of the World Of Warcraft video game.
China's Tencent to stream 'Star Wars' saga
14-Sep-2015Chinese internet giant Tencent has pacted with Disney and Fox to make the entire Star Wars saga available on its online platforms in the run-up to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December 2015.
Chinese hit 'Monster Hunt' sold across Europe, Asia
11-Sep-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Edko Films has sold Raman Hui's blockbuster hit Monster Hunt to a slew of international territories.
Chinese blockbuster 'Monster Hunt' heads to North America
10-Sep-2015EXCLUSIVE: FilmRise has acquired North American rights to record-breaking Chinese hit Monster Hunt, directed by Shrek animator Raman Hui, from Edko Films.
Clover, Asia Tropical team for Chapman To debut
7-Sep-2015Malaysia's Asia Tropical Films and Singapore's Clover Films are co-producing the directorial debut of Hong Kong actor Chapman To, Let's Eat (working title), with investment from Fox International Channels (FIC).
Asian Shadows picks up Pema Tseden's 'Tharlo'
2-Sep-2015Hong Kong-based sales company Asian Shadows has picked up world rights (outside Greater China) to Tibetan director Pema Tseden's Tharlo, which will receive its world premiere in Venice's Orizzonti section.
Amazon Prime Video follows Netflix into Japan
27-Aug-2015The online retailer joins Netflix in moving into the Japanese video streaming market.
Fortissimo picks up 'Mountain Cry'
26-Aug-2015Fortissimo Films has acquired global rights to Larry Yang's Mountain Cry, which will receive its world premiere as the closing film of this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on October 10.
Netflix partners with Softbank ahead of Japan launch
24-Aug-2015Japan's SoftBank Corp will offer Netflix subscriptions to its 37 million mobile phone customers when the global streaming service launches in Japan on September 2.
India's Zee launches VOD service DishFlix
20-Aug-2015Dish TV, the direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service of India's Zee Entertainment Enterprises, has launched a satellite VOD service, DishFlix, which offers US and Indian movies for a monthly fee.
Mel Gibson's 'Hacksaw Ridge' sold to China
18-Aug-2015YooZoo acquires Second World War drama starring Andrew Garfield.
'Mr Tumor' topples 'Monster Hunt' at China box office
18-Aug-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Edko Films' Monster Hunt finally relinquished the top spot at the China box office, as Wanda Pictures' Go Away Mr Tumor opened in pole position with $29.75m in four days.
Alibaba Pictures appoints Zhang Wei as president
13-Aug-2015Alibaba Pictures has restructured its management team with the appointment of Zhang Wei as president and Deng Kangming as COO.
'Monster Hunt' becomes China's second biggest film ever
11-Aug-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Monster Hunt topped the China box office again last week, reaching a cumulative gross of $330.32m (RMB2.51bn) to become China's second highest-grossing film of all time.
Shanghai's CFI picks up Locarno title 'Kaili Blues'
11-Aug-2015Shanghai-based China Film International (CFI) has picked up worldwide rights to Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan's Kaili Blues (Lu Bian Ye Can), which receives its world premiere in Locarno's Cineasti del Presente section today (Aug 11).
'Monster Hunt', 'Monkey King' break records
28-Jul-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Monster Hunt continuted to break records at the China box office office last week, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film ever with a gross of $221.41m after 11 days.
CTE renews output deals with Hong Kong studios
28-Jul-2015Hong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has renewed its exclusive, multi-year output deals with Hong Kong studios Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), Mega-Vision Project Workshop (MVPW) and Universe Entertainment.
'Monster Hunt' rules China box office
21-Jul-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Edko Films' 3D adventure Monster Hunt broke a string of box office records on its opening weekend in China, according to EntGroup figures, grossing $107.58m in four days.
Thanatos, Drunk sweeps Taipei Film Awards
20-Jul-2015Chang Tso-chi's Thanatos, Drunk swept the Taipei Film Awards on Saturday night, winning six prizes including the Grand Prize and best narrative feature.
Tabaillon to edit 'Baahubali' international cut
16-Jul-2015Internationally-renowned editor Vincent Tabaillon has joined the crew of Telugu hit Baahubali: The Beginning to oversee the film's international cut.
Youth dramas rule at China box office
15-Jul-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Tiny Times 4.0 topped the China box office last week, according to EntGroup figures, grossing $58.39m, while another youth drama, Forever Young, came in second with $41.42m.
'Baahubali' breaks box office records
14-Jul-2015Telugu-language epic Baahubali: The Beginning, directed by S.S. Rajamouli, has grossed $20m on its opening weekend in India and broken a string of box office records in both India and the US.
Chen Kaige, 'Monk Comes Down The Mountain'
13-Jul-2015Chinese director Chen Kaige talks to Liz Shackleton about balancing commercial and creative concerns in the world's fastest-growing film market.
Chen Kaige's 'Monk' tops China box office
8-Jul-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Chen Kaige's Monk Comes Down The Mountain topped the China box office last week, grossing $38.25m in it opening four days, according to EntGroup figures.
'Jurassic World' retains top spot in China
30-Jun-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Jurassic World reigned over the China box office for the third week straight last week, passing the $200m benchmark, and holding off local opener Hollywood Adventures, produced by Justin Lin.
FUNimation picks up 'Attack On Titan'
30-Jun-2015Toho's highly-anticipated live action manga adaptation to receive world premiere in Los Angeles
Alibaba to invest in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
25-Jun-2015China's Alibaba Pictures is making its first move into Hollywood, partnering with Paramount Pictures on Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation.
Jurassic World, SPL2 top China box office
23-Jun-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Jurassic World chomped through another $68.49m to top the China box office last week, although local action thriller SPL2: A Time For Consequences opened strongly with $43.36m.
China Lion takes IM Global trio
23-Jun-2015China Lion Film Distribution has acquired rights for North America, Australia and New Zealand to three titles handled by IM Global – Only You, The Wasted Times and Mr Six.
'Night Watchman' wins top prize in Shanghai
22-Jun-2015Pierre Jolivet's France-Belgium co-production The Night Watchman won best feature in the Golden Goblet competition of this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (June 13-21), while Cao Baoping's The Dead End won best director and actor.
Paramount hires Tara Yin to head China office
18-Jun-2015Paramount Pictures has appointed former IMAX China manager Tara Yin as general manager of its new China office in Beijing.
Star Chinese Movies buys trio from Enlight Pictures
18-Jun-2015Fox International Channels (FIC) unit Star Chinese Movies (SCM) has acquired TV and digital media rights to three of Beijing-based Enlight Media's biggest current titles.
IM Global chief predicts China digital boom
16-Jun-2015Speaking at the Shanghai International Film Festival, IM Global chief Stuart Ford predicted that China digital and pay-TV revenues could become the biggest driver of the global movie market within five years.
China's iQiyi announces 5 million paid subs
16-Jun-2015Baidu-owned online video company iQiyi announced that its paid streaming subscribers reached 5 million as of June 15, an increase of 765% over the past year.
'Jurassic World' takes $100m in China opening
16-Jun-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Jurassic World roared into China with an opening gross of $100.1m in five days, topping the box office and pushing San Andreas into second place.
IMAX, CMC launch $50m China film fund
16-Jun-2015IMAX Corporation is partnering with China Media Capital (CMC) to create a fund, initially capitalised at $50m, to produce Chinese-language movies.
Shanghai fest shines light on internet, finance models
15-Jun-2015Alibaba revealed further details of its streaming service and crowdfunding platform at SIFF Forum, where talk revolved around the convergence of China's movie and internet industries and new financing models.
Former Fox exec launches Los Angeles Beijing Labs
15-Jun-2015Former Fox marketing executive Al Ovadia is heading production and marketing company Los Angeles Beijing Studios (LABS), which has sealed a $300m joint venture with Shenzhen-based fund Hotland Film Ventures.
Bona unveils 26-picture slate, Huaxia deal
15-Jun-2015China's Bona Film Group has unveiled an ambitious 26-picture slate to celebrate the company's 15th anniversary, along with a strategic cooperation with Huaxia Film Distribution.
Kirin Media launches $25m China-backed fund
14-Jun-2015EXCLUSIVE: Los Angeles-based finance and management outfit Kirin Media Ventures has launched a $25m fund, with initial backing from Chinese investors, to finance a slate of US theatrical features.
SIFF opens with stars, controversy
14-Jun-2015Stars including Mike Tyson, Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan walked the red carpet at the opening of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) last night, along with three Korean jury members who are attending the festival despite the controversy surrounding MERS.
Mumbai Film Festival secures backing
12-Jun-2015The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has secured two major sponsors for this year's Mumbai Film Festival, providing some much-needed financial security for the October event.
UK's Wendy Glenn to star in Indian Hamlet adaptation
10-Jun-2015UK actress Wendy Glenn is starring in Indian filmmaker Onir's Veda, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, which is currently shooting in the UK.
'San Andreas' tops China box office with $52m
9-Jun-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Disaster movie topples animated feature Stand By Me Doraemon from the top slot.
'I Am Somebody' to open Shanghai fest
3-Jun-2015Derek Yee's I Am Somebody will open this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF, June 13-21), while China-Russian co-production Ballet In The Flames Of War will close the event.
'Stand by Me Doraemon' tops China box office
3-Jun-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Japanese animation Stand by Me Doraemon topped the China box office last week, grossing $38.29m in its opening four days.
Wanda to buy Australia's Hoyts Group
2-Jun-2015China's Wanda Cinema Line is acquiring Australian exhibitor Hoyts Group for an undisclosed amount.
Collee to adapt Chinese fantasy franchise The Mirror
20-May-2015John Collee (The Alchemyst, Master And Commander) will adapt the Chinese fantasy novel series The Mirror, which has been optioned by Ruyi Films and Syon Media.
Ultron tops China box office with $155m
20-May-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Avengers: Age of Ultron replaced Furious 7 at the top of the China box office in its opening week, grossing $154.63m in six days.
Xia Hao wins top prize in Chinese Talents Forum
20-May-2015Xia Hao and his project No. 23 won the top award worth $164,000 (RMB1m) in the New Chinese Film Talents Fund Forum (NCFTFF), while Song Yuefeng's The Wild Horns was given a special mention.
Gao Xiaosong joins LeVision Pictures
20-May-2015Beijing-based LeVision Pictures has announced that singer and director Gao Xiaosong has joined the company's stable of filmmakers, which also includes Zhang Yimou, Lu Chuan and Tsui Hark.
Japan's power players discuss overseas strategy
19-May-2015The heads of Japan's leading studios discussed their strategies for expanding into international markets at the close of Japan Day Project's seminar programme on Monday.
'Journey' director kicks off football drama
19-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian director Chiu Keng Guan, who directed The Journey, Malaysia's highest-grossing film ever, has started production on football drama Ola Bola for Astro Shaw.
Nasser, Nordisk co-produce Shargawi's Medina
19-May-2015Jordanian producer Rula Nasser has boarded Dogme-style drama Medina, directed by Danish-Palestinian filmmaker Omar Shargawi, as producer alongside Nordisk Film Production.
Fundamental to invest in EuropaCorp's Valerian
18-May-2015China's Fundamental Films is extending its output deal with Luc Besson's EuropaCorp and will invest up to $50m into Besson's Valerian, starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne.
Bahubali to be recut for international
18-May-2015India's Arka Mediaworks is planning an international cut of its $40m action epic Bahubali, directed by S.S. Rajamouli, one of the biggest filmmakers in the Telugu-language film industry.
Egypt's Zawya, Misr team for arthouse distribution
18-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Egypt's Zawya Cinema and Misr International Films are joining forces to launch arthouse distributor Zawya Distribution.
Shochiku lines up Yoji Yamada duo
18-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Japanese studio Shochiku is launching sales on two new projects from leading director Yoji Yamada – a drama based on a Hisashi Inoue story and the director's first comedy since the end of the Tora-san series in 1995.
Jackie Chan, Marche launch Chinese talent award
17-May-2015Cannes film festival's Marché du Film and Project A: Jackie Chan's Young Filmmaker Development Fund have established an award of $164,000 (RMB1m) for the winner of the Marche's 3rd New Chinese Film Talents Forum.
Chloe Zhao talks about her journey from China to Dakota
17-May-2015Although the similarities between 1990s China and the Pine Ridge Native American reservation in South Dakota may not be immediately obvious, Chloe Zhao explains those parallels exist in her first feature, Songs My Brother Taught Me, which is screening in Directors Fortnight.
Asian Shadows travels with Zhang Yang
17-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based sales company Asian Shadows has picked up international rights to Zhang Yang's Tibetan drama Paths Of The Soul.
UK-Indian Bombairiya starts production
17-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Production has started on India-UK-UAE co-production Bombairiya, a comedy thriller starring Radhika Apte, Akshay Oberoi and Siddhanth Kapoor.
Yash Raj Films launches sales on Piku
17-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: India's Yash Raj Films is launching international sales on Shoojit Sircar's Piku in Cannes.
Peter Chan to direct Li Na biopic
16-May-2015Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Ho-sun Chan will produce and direct a biopic of Chinese tennis player Li Na, based on her best-selling autobiography Li Na: My Life.
Doha Film Institute unveils Spring 2015 funding round
16-May-2015The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has unveiled the projects to receive grants in its Spring 2015 funding cycle, including the first Qatari feature awarded a production grant.
IM Global picks up 'Hollywood Adventures'
16-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: IM Global has picked up international rights outside the US and South-East Asia to Chinese action comedy Hollywood Adventures, produced by Justin Lin.
'Magic Kimono' secures cast, financing
16-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Issey Ogata has joined Kaori Momoi in the cast of the first ever Japanese-Latvian co-production, Magic Kimono, which has also received support from the Riga Film Fund and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Korea's 9ers takes on 'Chosen', 'Three Summer Nights'
16-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Korea's 9ers Entertainment has picked up international rights to Kim Hwi's creature horror The Chosen: Forbidden Cave (working title) and Kang Sang-jin's comedy Three Summer Nights.
Mirovision pacts with Dankook Graduate School
16-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Mirovision has signed a deal with the Dankook Graduate School of Cinematic Content (DGC), headed by Kim Dong-ho, to handle world sales on the school's features and short films.
Aoyama to direct Japanese-Malaysian co-production
15-May-2015Japan's ColorBird Inc and Malaysia's Barnet Books are joining forces to co-produce a horror film directed by Japanese filmmaker Shinji Aoyama.
Five Star picks up Francois Hilaire biopic
15-May-2015Bangkok-based Five Star Production has picked up international rights to biopic F.Hilaire, about a French priest who wrote a famous Thai language textbook.
Wonderful sales for Korea's M-Line
15-May-2015Korea's M-Line Distribution has sold North American rights to Kang Hyo-jin's comedy Wonderful Nightmare to Asia Releasing, along with a string of other territories.
TIFF's Crosscut Asia to focus on the Philippines
15-May-2015The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) and Japan Foundation have announced they will focus on the cinema of the Philippines for the second edition of the festival's Crosscut Asia sidebar.
Wanda scares up 'Ghouls' sales across Asia
14-May-2015China's Wanda Pictures has sold a string of Asian territories on Wuershan's The Ghouls, includingTaiwan (CMC), the Philippines (MVP) and Singapore (Shaw).
Zvyagintsev to head Shanghai fest jury
14-May-2015Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has announced that Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev, whose Leviathan won best screenplay at Cannes last year, will head the Golden Goblet jury at this year's edition of the festival (June 13-21).
Well Go USA grabs Golden Cane
14-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based WTFilms has sold Indonesian martial arts drama The Golden Cane Warrior to Well Go USA for North America.
Mirovision picks up My New Sassy Girl
14-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Mirovision has picked up international rights to romantic comedy My New Sassy Girl, the highly-anticipated sequel to 2001 hit My Sassy Girl.
Twenty racks up sales for Contents Panda
14-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Contents Panda, the sales arm of Korea's Next Entertainment World (NEW), has signed a raft of deals on Lee Byeong-heon's Twenty, including the sale of Japanese rights to NBC Universal Japan.
Hong Kong's Bravos picks up Making Films duo
14-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Bravos Pictures has picked up worldwide rights to two titles produced by leading Hong Kong filmmaker Pang Ho Cheung – Luk Yee-sum's Lazy Hazy Crazy and Jason Kwan's A Nail Clipper Romance.
Finecut seals deals on Treacherous, Revivre
14-May-2015Korea's Finecut has pre-sold Min Kyu-dong's erotic period drama The Treacherous, starring Ju Ji-hoon, to Pretty Pictures for France and French-speaking Swiss pay-TV.
Maverick, Zinnia Flower to bookend Taipei fest
13-May-2015Taipei Film Festival has announced that Cheng Wen-tang's Maverick will open this year's edition of the festival (June 26-July 12), while Tom Shu-yu Lin's Zinnia Flower will play as the closing film.
'Furious 7' tops China box office for fourth week
13-May-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Universal's Furious 7 took a further $17.38m in mainland China in the week May 4-10, which kept it at the top of the box office and pushed its cumulative gross to $389.26m.
Golden Network boards Jackie Chan's 'Railroad Tigers'
13-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to Jackie Chan's next project, $50m action comedy Railroad Tigers, to be directed by Ding Sheng.
NTV adds 'Persona Non Grata' to Cannes line-up
13-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Japan's Nippon Television (NTV) has added Japanese historical drama Persona Non Grata, which was filmed entirely in Poland, to its Cannes slate.
Showbox sells 'Assassination' to North America
13-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Showbox/Mediaplex has signed a string of pre-sales on Choi Dong-hoon's Assassination, including North American rights, which have gone to Well Go USA.
Tokyo film festival ready Terayama, Welles retrospectives
12-May-2015The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is holding retrospectives of the work of Shuji Terayama and Orson Welles at this year's edition of the festival (October 22-31).
Japan Day Project launching Cannes seminars
12-May-2015Japan's new promotional initiative, Japan Day Project, is launching a seminar series, 'New Gateways to the Japanese Industry' (May 16-18), at this year's Cannes film festival.
SMG enters Arclight's 'Stone Forest'
12-May-2015Shanghai Media Group Pictures will market and distribute Arclight Films' The Stone Forest in China.
Fortissimo adds 'Closet Monster' to Cannes slate
12-May-2015Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to Canadian filmmaker Stephen Dunn's directorial debut Closet Monster.
DIFF reinstates Dubai Film Connection
11-May-2015Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced a series of industry initiatives for this year's edition of the festival (Dec 9-16), including the return of co-production market Dubai Film Connection (DFC).
Cannes: Japan makes global push with Japan Day Project
11-May-2015Japan is launching a new promotional initiative designed to boost the global market for Japanese films, TV, manga and other contents – Japan Day Project (JDP) – at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes: Well Go takes 'The Assassin' for North America
11-May-2015Hou Hsiao-hsien's period Chinese drama to world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
World of Locations: Malaysia
8-May-2015New facilities and incentives are making the territory Asia's latest go-to location.
Bollywood star Salman Khan sentenced to five years in prison
6-May-2015Bollywood star Salman Khan has been sentenced to five years in prison for killing a homeless man in a hit-and-run incident in 2002.
Cannes: Fortissimo takes Victor Vu's 'Yellow Flowers'
6-May-2015EXCLUSIVE: Victor Vu's Yellow Flowers On The Green Grass is set in 1980s Vietnam.
'Furious 7' holds narrow lead in China
5-May-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Local releases You Are My Sunshine and Helios slowed down but did not derail the Furious 7 juggernaut at the China box office last week, with the film grossing a further $45.63m for a cume of $370.83m.
Scorsese's 'Silence' to wrap in Taiwan
5-May-2015Martin Scorsese's Silence, based on Japanese author Shusaku Endo's novel, will wrap on May 15 after filming for 14 weeks in Taiwan.
Thai Pitch event to return to Cannes
30-Apr-2015Thailand's Ministry of Culture will host the Thai Pitch event at Cannes again this year, where projects will be presented by three directors including Wisit Sasanatieng (Tears Of The Black Tiger, Citizen Dog).
Japan's Toei launches library restoration
29-Apr-2015Japanese studio Toei has launched a major digital restoration programme of its extensive library, starting with Kinji Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor And Humanity, which is screening in Cannes Classics next month.
'Furious 7' biggest film ever in China
28-Apr-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Universal's Fast & Furious 7 has become the highest-grossing film ever in China.
Beijing: Beginning Of Time, Wolf Totem win top awards
24-Apr-2015Mexican director Bernando Arellano's Beginning Of Time won best film in the Tiantan Awards of this year's revamped Beijing International Film Festival, while Jean-Jacques Annaud's Wolf Totem won best director and best visual effects.
Paramount moves China office to Beijing
24-Apr-2015Paramount Pictures has announced that it plans to expand its office in China and shift its business operations from Shanghai to Beijing.
Cannes: Arab Cinema Center to bring delegation
23-Apr-2015Following its launch at the Berlin film festival, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is bringing a delegation of 17 film companies and organisations from eight countries to the Cannes film festival and market.
'Furious 7' dominates China box office with $250m
21-Apr-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: With Universal's Fast & Furious 7 grossing $186.58m in its first full week at the China box office, the spoils were thinly spread for every other film on release.
Beijing round-up: Dick Cook financing leads flurry of deals
20-Apr-2015Former Disney chief Dick Cook's announcement of the launch of Dick Cook Studios, with $150m in Chinese financing, was one of several deals unveiled at the Beijing Film Market (BFM), which wrapped on Monday night.
China's Heyi Pictures signs partnership deals
20-Apr-2015Heyi Pictures, the film arm of Chinese streaming giant Youku Tudou, signed six partnership deals with content publishers and new distribution channels at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) today.
Village Roadshow, Hairun extend production alliance
20-Apr-2015Village Roadshow Pictures Asia (VRPA) and Beijing-based Hairun Pictures have entered into a strategic film production alliance and unveiled a slate of five features.
Golden Era sweeps Hong Kong Film Awards
20-Apr-2015Ann Hui's The Golden Era continued its awards sweep at the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday night, winning five prizes including best film and best director.
Beijing: Darren Aronofsky, Tsui Hark discuss co-pros
17-Apr-2015Filmmakers including Darren Aronofsky, Tsui Hark and Jean-Jacques Annaud discussed the key factors that help a film travel at the Beijing International Film Festival's Co-production Forum today.
Marco Mueller, Beijing International Film Festival
15-Apr-2015Marco Mueller, general advisor to the Beijing International Film Festival, talks to Liz Shackleton about Chinese audiences, censorship and positioning the fledgling festival as a bridge between the China market and the rest of the world.
Arclight's 'Admiral' sets sail for UK, Germany
15-Apr-2015Arclight Films has sold Roel Reine's Admiral - set for a gala screening at the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) - to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
'Furious 7' smashes China box office records with $63m
14-Apr-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Universal's Fast & Furious 7 scored the biggest opening day ever in China on Sunday (April 12), according to EntGroup figures, grossing $63.24m in a single day.
'Wolf Warrior' tops China box office
7-Apr-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Wu Jing's Wolf Warrior topped the China box office in the week March 30-April 6, grossing $32.58m in its opening four days.
Beijing film festival unveils 15 competition titles
7-Apr-2015The Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) has unveiled the 15 competition titles and four gala premiees that will screen at this year's edition (April 16-23), including opening film Maraviglioso Boccaccio, directed by Italian auteurs Paolo and Vittorio Taviani.
'Sworn Virgin' takes top prize at Hong Kong
7-Apr-2015Laura Bispuri's Sworn Virgin won the Firebird Award in the Young Cinema Competition at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which wrapped on Monday night.
'Kingsman' opens top of China box office
31-Mar-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Boosted by a visit to China by star Colin Firth, Kingsman: The Secret Service topped the China box office on its opening weekend, grossing $24.25m in three days.
'Blind Massage' wins best film at Asian Film Awards
26-Mar-2015Lou Ye's Blind Massage won best film at the Asian Film Awards in Macau on Tuesday night, while Ann Hui won best director for The Golden Era.
Kiran Rao to head Mumbai arthouse cinema
25-Mar-2015Indian filmmaker Kiran Rao has been appointed creative director of Mumbai's first arthouse cinema, FilmBay, an initiative of India' National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), to be launched by the end of this year.
'Cinderella', 'Lost and Love' top China box office
25-Mar-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Disney's Cinderella stayed on top of the China box office last week with a gross of $28.37m, although Huayi Brothers' Lost and Love opened strongly with $18.17m for second place.
China's iQiyi signs six-picture deal with Wong Jing
25-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Online video giant inks deal with Vegas To Macau 2 director.
Galloping Horse hires Chen, lines up co-pros
25-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Outfit plans co-productions with Jerry Weintraub and Cameron Jones.
Mike Tyson joins 'Ip Man 3'
25-Mar-2015The former world heavyweight boxing champion has joined Donnie Yen in the cast of Pegasus Motion Pictures' 3D kung-fu biopic Ip Man 3, which will also include a CGI Bruce Lee..
WTFilms takes martial arts drama 'The Golden Cane Warrior'
25-Mar-2015Paris-based WTFilms has picked up worldwide rights to Indonesian martial arts drama The Golden Cane Warrior in association with Backup Media.
Johnnie To heist movie on Media Asia slate
24-Mar-2015Media Asia launched its new slate at Filmart yesterday, which includes Johnnie To's heist movie Three and Adam Wong's He Remembers, She Forgets, starring Miriam Yeung and Jan Lamb.
HK's Mei Ah grows slate with Jet Tone, Gordon Chan
24-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong's Mei Ah Entertainment will unveil several projects at Filmart today, including a co-production with Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone Productions titled Drive Me Crazy, and a Boyhood-inspired drama, Growing Up, which will be shot over a period of 15 years.
Malaysia's Said shooting supernatural 'Interchange'
24-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian director Dain Iskandar Said has started shooting supernatural thriller Interchange, the first project to be backed by Malaysia's new slate financing fund Sonneratia Capital.
Wu Jing's 'Wolf Warrior' heads to US
24-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Well Go USA has swooped on North American rights to Easternlight Films' 3D war epic Wolf Warrior, directed by and starring Wu Jing.
Mega-Vision plots Macau 3, Invincible 12
24-Mar-2015Hong Kong-based Mega-Vision Pictures (MVP) has unwrapped a slate of five new projects at Filmart, including action title The Invincible 12 and a third instalment in the From Vegas To Macau franchise.
One Cool Group debuts with Soi Cheang thriller
24-Mar-2015A collective of Hong Kong companies, under the banner One Cool Group, launched their debut slate of productions at Filmart yesterday, which includes as as-yet-untitled crime thriller to be produced by Soi Cheang.
HK's Sun Entertainment shines on seven films
24-Mar-2015Hong Kong-based Sun Entertainment Culture is unveiling several new projects at Filmart, including romantic drama Concerto Of The Bully, starring Ronald Cheng and Janice Man.
Filmart 2015: HKIFF's Roger Garcia on reaching a younger crowd
23-Mar-2015Hong Kong International Film Festival's Roger Garcia tells Liz Shackleton about the efforts made to woo younger audiences
Filmart 2015: Hot titles - Hong Kong, China
23-Mar-2015Liz Shackleton spotlights the hottest productions at Hong Kong Filmart.
HK's Edko boards Nick Cheung's 'Master Fat'
23-Mar-2015Hong Kong-based Edko Films is launching sales at Filmart on actor Nick Cheung's second feature as director, horror film Master Fat, in which he also stars with Amber Kuo and Shi Xing Yu.
IM Global brings Huayi Brothers' 'Only You' to Filmart
23-Mar-2015IM Global will introduce Huayi Brothers' romantic comedy Only You, starring Tang Wei and Liao Fan, to buyers at Filmart.
Taiwan's Ablaze takes 'Zinnia Flower', 'A Fool'
23-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Taipei-based sales company Ablaze Image has picked up international rights to Tom Lin's Zinnia Flower and mainland actor Chen Jianbin's directorial debut A Fool.
Benny Chan war epic casts up
23-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Sean Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo and Eddie Peng will head the cast of Benny Chan's epic action film The Deadly Reclaim, which is being launched at Filmart by Universe Films Distribution.
HK's Distribution Workshop promotes Leung
23-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Distribution Workshop sales chief Virginia Leung has been made a director of the company, now majority owned by co-founders Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan.
Golden Network takes Andy Lau thriller 'Saving Mr. Wu'
23-Mar-2015Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to Ding Sheng's crime thriller Saving Mr. Wu, starring award-winning actors Andy Lau, Liu Ye, Wang Qianyuan and Wu Ruofu.
China's Enlight hits the road with stellar line-up
23-Mar-2015EXCLUSIVE: Fresh from a capital injection from Alibaba and a stellar year at the box office, Beijing-based Enlight Pictures has lined up a string of top Chinese filmmakers for its 2015 slate, including Xu Zheng, Zhang Yibai, Deng Chao and actress Zhou Xun.
Beijing film festival unveils jury
19-Mar-2015Fedor Bondarchuk and Fernando Meirelles among the seven-strong jury.
John Woo to direct 'Manhunt' remake
19-Mar-2015John Woo is to direct a remake of action thriller Manhunt, based on a novel by Japanese writer Juko Nishimura, for Hong Kong-based Media Asia Films.
Asian Film Awards to honour Im Kwon-taek
18-Mar-2015Korean director to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's edition on March 25.
Lionsgate, Hunan seal financing pact
18-Mar-2015Pact covers titles such as Now You See Me 2 and Age of Adaline [pictured].
China's Huayi Brothers set to sign with US firm
17-Mar-2015China's Huayi Brothers is planning to sign an 18-picture, three-year deal with an unnamed US company, according to a filing with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
'Cinderella' tops China box office
17-Mar-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Disney's Cinderella topped the box office over its opening weekend in China, grossing $24.8m in three days.
DW picks up Ringo Lam, Lo Chi-leung titles
13-Mar-2015Company acquires international rights to Wild CIty [pictured] and The Vanished Murderer.
Lionsgate secures $375m from Hunan TV
13-Mar-2015Provincial broadcaster will be funding 25% of Lionsgate's $1.5bn film and TV production slate, excluding The Hunger Games and Divergent franchises.
India's Reliance, Phantom form joint venture
10-Mar-2015India's Reliance Entertainment is forming a 50:50 joint venture with Phantom Films, an ambitious local production house founded by filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena.
Big Hero 6 tops China box office with $30m
10-Mar-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Disney animation Big Hero 6 topped the China box office in its first full week of release, grossing $29.88m, while Jupiter Ascending opened in third with $23.06m.
China's DMG strikes partnership with Valiant
9-Mar-2015Pact will see DMG produce films based on Valiant comic character
China's Youku Tudou restructures content business
5-Mar-2015China's Youku Tudou has appointed Edward Su as chief operating officer and restructured its production business into nine units based on different content categories.
Vegas To Macau tops China box office
3-Mar-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Sequel slips past Dragon Blade and Wolf Totem in second week of Chinese New Year holiday.
Sylvia Chang's Murmur to open HKIFF
26-Feb-2015Philip Yung's Port Of Call to close the festival.
Marco Mueller unveils Beijing team
26-Feb-2015Marco Mueller, recently appointed general advisor of the 5th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), has unveiled his team of ten international industry professionals.
Brandon Routh, Zhang Yuqi star in Arclight's Lost
26-Feb-2015Vincent Zhou's 3D sci-fi adventure to shoot this spring at Pinewood Malaysia.
Dragon Blade tops Chinese New Year box office
25-Feb-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Daniel Lee's Dragon Blade, starring Jackie Chan, John Cusack and Adrien Brody, topped the China box office over the Chinese New Year holiday weekend, grossing $54.84m in its opening four days.
Manish Mundra on his finance, distribution plans
19-Feb-2015Although new to the business, Indian producer Manish Mundra has already backed films that have won prizes in Sundance and Berlin. He tells Liz Shackleton about his plans to finance and distribute content-driven Indian cinema.
Somewhere tops China Valentine's box office
17-Feb-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Xu Jinglei's Somewhere Only We Know topped the China box office over the Valentine's Day weekend, grossing $37.72m from 6.99 million admissions.
Theeb set for multi-territory release
12-Feb-2015Naji Abu Nowar's co-production to get Middle East distribution.
Tallinn Black Nights launches animation platform
11-Feb-2015Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is launching a cloud-based online platform for animation professionals, Animacloudly, with partial support from Creative Europe.
Running Man overtakes Hobbit in China
11-Feb-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: TV show spin-off Running Man topped the China box office in its first full week (February 2-8), grossing $24.49m, while The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies slipped to second place with $20.11m.
Chinese thriller Red Amnesia sold to France
10-Feb-2015Wang Xiaoshuai's Venice premiere sells to French distributor.
First event for Euro-China initiative
10-Feb-2015Bridging The Dragon is an association connecting European and Chinese film professionals.
Buyers tune into Tenor Lirico Spinto
10-Feb-2015South Korean's More In Group sells biopic to Israel and Hong Kong.
Three German-Arab projects awarded
10-Feb-2015Winners of the Film Prize of the Robert Bosch Stiftung were announced on Sunday [Feb 8].
Indonesian official sacked in Berlin gaffe
9-Feb-2015The Indonesian government has sacked a senior official after it emerged that the Tourism Ministry sent a delegation to the Berlinale that had no connection to the film industry.
Fortissimo acquires Salaam Bombay!
9-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Company takes world rights, outside India and South Asia, to 25th anniversary edition.
First Japan-Baltics co-pro announced
9-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Maris Martinsons [pictured] to direct Magic Kimono, starring Kaori Momoi.
Warda to screen at EFM
9-Feb-2015Egypt's first-ever found footage horror film to screen tomorrow [Feb 10].
Astro Shaw to adapt Evening Mists with HBO
8-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Tan Twan Eng's award-winning novel set for English-language feature to be co-produced with HBO Asia.
Manish Mundra reveals film finance plans
8-Feb-2015Producer of Generation Kplus title Rainbow [pictured] sets up company to finance content-driven Indian cinema.
Showbox uncovers Detective K sales
7-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Adventure period comedy sequel sells to slew of territories, including Japan.
Free Stone visits Girl of the Sea
7-Feb-2015Company acquires international rights to Ryugo Nakamura's second feature in five years following The Catcher On The Shore [pictured].
Chinese box office: taken by storm
6-Feb-2015Which films will triumph at the box office over Chinese New Year? Liz Shackleton looks at the high-profile releases vying for the top slot.
Johnnie To assembles top Hong Kong talent
6-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Projects include an omnibus about Hong Kong's history that brings together eight of the territory's leading directors.
CJ racks up Ode To My Father sales
6-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: JK Youn's blockbuster closes a string of sales across the Asia Pacific region.
Khan's Factory Girl in rare Swedish release
6-Feb-2015Arab Cinema in Sweden will release Mohamed Khan's feature on April 24.
Distribution Workshop nets Full Strike
6-Feb-2015Hong Kong-based sales company acquires international rights to Derek Kwok's sports drama.
Finecut boards Red Shoes & The 7 Dwarfs
6-Feb-2015Sales company acquires international rights to English-language 3D animation.
EFM: Japan's NTV launches new Miike, Iwai films
5-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Japan's Nippon TV (NTV) is launching sales on new titles by hot Japanese directors Takashi Miike and Shunji Iwai at the European Film Market (EFM).
EFM: Nikkatsu scares up Hideo Nakata's Ghost Theatre
5-Feb-2015EXCLUSIVE: Japanese studio Nikkatsu is attending EFM with Hideo Nakata horror Ghost Theatre and Yuki Tanada's Romance, which teams the female director with award-winning actress-singer Yuko Oshima.
Jodorowsky launches Kickstarter for Endless Poetry
5-Feb-2015Feature marks first co-production between Chile, Japan and France.
Arclight takes Peter Pau's 3D fantasy Snow Girl
5-Feb-2015China-US-Australia co-production set for major Chinese New Year release.
Youku Tudou unveils film slate
4-Feb-2015Film arm Heyi Pictures to co-produce six projects in 2015.
HAF 2015 line-up includes Chang, Bober, Kawase projects
4-Feb-2015Terence Chang, Philippe Bober and Naomi Kawase are among the producers of the 30 projects selected for this year's Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF, March 23-25).
Mumbai fest sets dates, new director
4-Feb-2015The Mumbai Film Festival has confirmed that Anupama Chopra is taking over as festival director starting with this year's edition (Oct 29-Nov 5) while filmmaker Kiran Rao will head the board of trustees.
Hobbit holds off Running Man in China
4-Feb-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies held on to the top spot at the China box office for the week Jan 26-Feb 1, grossing $42.84m, although reality show spin-off Running Man put up a fight with $37.05m over its opening weekend.
Hong Kong unveils Sylvia Chang focus
2-Feb-2015Taiwanese filmmaker and actress Sylvia Chang has been chosen as the Filmmaker in Focus at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Son Ye-jin to star in Huayi's Bad Guys
30-Jan-2015Korean actress Son Ye-jin as been cast in Huayi Brothers' Bad Guys Always Die (working title), which will be executive produced by Korean filmmaker Kang Je Gyu and China's Feng Xiaogang.
Aamir Khan's PK to receive China wide release
30-Jan-2015UTV Motion Pictures' blockbuster PK, starring Aamir Khan, is heading for distribution in mainland China, where China Film Group and Huaxia will release it on 3,500 screens.
Parc Media unveils 3D co-productions
28-Jan-2015Start-up UK and Beijing-based production company Parc Media has unveiled a slate of three China-UK co-productions, two of which will use Douglas Trumbull's new MAGI 3D process.
Catchplay co-finances New Regency trio
28-Jan-2015Taiwanese distributor Catchplay has signed a deal to co-finance and co-distribute three New Regency productions: The Revenant, Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell.
Arab Cinema Center to launch in Berlin
27-Jan-2015A new international platform for Arab cinema, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC), will launch at this year's European Film Market in Berlin, representing 11 Arab production companies and organisations.
Fortissimo picks up Dornford-May's Breathe
27-Jan-2015Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside South Africa to Mark Dornford-May's Breathe Umphefumlo, which will premiere Out Of Competition at the upcoming Berlin film festival.
Five Armies ousts Miss Granny in China
27-Jan-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies grossed $49.84m on its opening weekend in China, pushing record-breaking remake Miss Granny into second place.
Marco Mueller takes Beijing role
26-Jan-2015Former Rome Film Festival director Marco Mueller has been appointed chief consultant to the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) as the five-year-old festival strives to become a world-class event.
Alibaba Pictures unveils Wong Kar Wai project
12-Jan-2015Leading Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai will produce the first project to be greenlit by China's Alibaba Pictures, a drama entitled Bai Du Ren (Ferryman).
PK breaks India box office records
6-Jan-2015UTV Motion Pictures' PK, starring Aamir Khan and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, has become the Hindi film industry's highest-grossing film ever in India with a take of $48m (Rs3.05bn), according to industry estimates.
Tiger Mountain retains China box office lead
6-Jan-2015CHINA BOX OFFICE: Tsui Hark's The Taking Of Tiger Mountain stayed on top of the China box office in its second week, grossing $58.23m - more than its opening week haul of $51.72m.
Li Ruigang quits Shanghai Media Group
6-Jan-2015Li Ruigang has quit his post as group president of China's second-largest media conglomerate, Shanghai Media Group (SMG), but will stay on as chairman.
China box office rises 36% in 2014
5-Jan-2015Titles including Transformers and Breakup Buddies take box office total to $4.8bn.
Tiger Mountain $52m China debut
30-Dec-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Tsui Hark's The Taking Of Tiger Mountain topped the China box office with a robust $51.72m in its opening six days, while Gu Changwei's Love On The Cloud opened in second place with $23.17m over five days.
Bullets has strong opening in China
23-Dec-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Jiang Wen's highly-anticipated satire Gone With The Bullets did not disappoint on its opening weekend in China, grossing $54.29m in its first four days.
Wanda unveils Wuhan theme park
22-Dec-2014China's Dalian Wanda group held a launch ceremony at the weekend for its latest entertainment projects, Wanda Movie Park and Han Show Theatre, in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Hideaki Anno, Evangelion
19-Dec-2014Japanese animator and creator of the Evangelion series, Hideaki Anno, talks to Liz Shackleton about the joys of destruction.
Fleet Of Time rules China box office
17-Dec-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Zhang Yibai's Fleet Of Time stayed at the top of China's box office in its second week, grossing $35.64m from 6.3 million admissions.
Breish sips Mate with Germany's Filmbucht
17-Dec-2014Lebanese filmmaker Bass Breish is gearing up to make his feature debut, Mate, with German production house Filmbucht Filmproduktion.
Al Murry wins first Ministry of Interior Award
17-Dec-2014Emirati filmmaker Saeed Salmeen Al Murry has won the inaugural Ministry of Interior Award for Best Societal Screenplay at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) for his project Going To Heaven.
I Am Nojoom, Nearby Sky win top awards at DIFF
16-Dec-2014Khadija Al-Salami's I Am Nojoom, Age 10 And Divorced was awarded best fiction film in the Muhr Feature competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), while Nujoom Al Ghanem's Nearby Sky won the award for best non-fiction film.
Daoud Abdel Sayed, Out Of The Ordinary
16-Dec-2014Egyptian filmmaker Daoud Abdel Sayed talks to Liz Shackleton about working with child actors and tackling the supernatural in his latest film, Out Of The Ordinary, which is premiering at DIFF.
Arab digital platforms race to fill content gap
15-Dec-2014A new report from PwC highlights how online platforms are starting to fill the huge demand for youth-oriented Arabic content that is not being met by the traditional film and TV industries across the Middle East.
Dubai's Ti22 launches Dubai ON Demand
15-Dec-2014Dubai-based Ti22 Films is set to launch an interactive online channel, Dubai ON Demand, on YouTube in 2015, featuring short clips from local personalities.
Robert Bosch Stiftung builds bridges
15-Dec-2014Sherif Elbendary's Dry Hot Summers and Dalia Al-Kury's Possessed By Djinn are among the projects currently being produced with support from Robert Bosch Stiftung, which aims to build bridges between Germany and the Arab world.
Dubai welcomes back Bollywood
14-Dec-2014Ear-splitting screams welcomed the cast and crew of Bollywood film Welcome Back, who are filming in Dubai, and dropped in to speak to guests at DIFF.
Pachachi's Baghdad draws co-producers, funds
13-Dec-2014Maysoon Pachachi's Nothing Doing In Baghdad is set to start shooting in February after securing three European co-producers and funding from Visions Sud Est and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC).
Bikas Mishra, Four Colours
13-Dec-2014Bikas Ranjan Mishra talks Liz Shackleton through the five-year development and production journey behind his debut feature, Four Colours (Chauranga).
MAD Solutions to distribute Sandfish
13-Dec-2014EXCLUSIVE: Pan-Arab distributor MAD Solutions will handle distribution in the Arab world for Saudi filmmaker Ahd's Sandfish, which will be the first production from Paul Baboudjian's new Dubai-based Tharwa Productions.
Enjaaz supported films shine at DIFF
12-Dec-2014A total of 17 films supported by Dubai's Enjaaz programme are screening at this year's edition of the festival, including Waleed Al Shehhi's Dolphins and Mohammed Rashed Buali's The Sleeping Tree, which are both receiving gala screenings.
Hisham Zaman, Letter To The King
12-Dec-2014Oslo-based Hisham Zaman tells Liz Shackleton how he managed to pull together his second feature, Letter To The King, while developing his debut Before Snowfall, and how he won the Dragon award at Goteborg film festival two years in a row.
Arab broadcasters call for local genre movies
12-Dec-2014Two of the Middle East's biggest broadcasters called on Arab filmmakers to start making more genre movies at a Dubai Film Market (DFM) seminar on Thursday (Dec 11).
Boushahri wins IWC Filmmaker Award
12-Dec-2014Kuwaiti filmmaker Abdullah Boushahri won the $100,000 IWC Filmmaker Award for his feature project The Water at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on Thursday night.
Nujoom Al Ghanem, Nearby Sky
12-Dec-2014Emirati filmmaker Nujoom Al Ghanem talks to Liz Shackleton about how she worked with trail-blazing camel owner Fatima Ali Alhameli and building a film industry in the Emirates.
Chaitanya Tamhane, Court
11-Dec-2014Chaitanya Tamhane talks to Liz Shackleton about making his debut feature Court, which won two prizes at this year's Venice Film Festival.
Chopra promoted at Digital Domain
11-Dec-2014Amit Chopra, currently COO of US and Canada-based Digital Domain 3.0, has been promoted to executive vice president of its parent company, Hong Kong-listed Digital Domain Holdings.
IWC Award helps Gulf cinema to grow
10-Dec-2014Now in its third year, the IWC Filmmaker Award is fast becoming an effective launchpad for projects from filmmakers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Afia Nathaniel, Dukhtar
9-Dec-2014Afia Nathaniel talks to Liz Shackleton about the challenges in funding and shooting a female-centric film in a remote corner of northern Pakistan.
Fleet Of Time beats The Crossing in China
9-Dec-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Zhang Yibai's Fleet Of Time walloped John Woo's The Crossing: Part 1 on its opening weekend in China, grossing $33.07m in its first three days.
DIFF heads to the beach
9-Dec-2014For those who prefer their cinema al fresco, the public screenings at this year's Dubai International Film Festival will be held at "The Beach" opposite Jumeirah Beach Resort (JBR).
Eros picks up Salman Khan duo
8-Dec-2014Eros International has picked up world rights to the first two productions from Salman Khan Films – Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Hero.
Bhosle, El-Sherif to receive DIFF awards
8-Dec-2014Egyptian actor Nour El-Sherif and Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle will both receive lifetime achievement awards at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
Lee Daniels to head DIFF Muhr feature jury
5-Dec-2014Lee Daniels is heading the jury for the Muhr Feature competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
Interstellar keeps Women off China top spot
2-Dec-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Interstellar held onto the top spot for a third week at the China box office, although Pang Ho-cheung's romantic comedy Women Who Flirt had a respectable opening.
Mara takes Oscar submission Dukhtar for UK
2-Dec-2014The UK's Mara Pictures has acquired Pakistani drama Dukhtar (Daughter), which it plans to release theatrically in the UK in April 2015.
Crocodile takes top prize at Filmex
1-Dec-2014Crocodile, directed by the Philippines' Francis Xavier Pasion, won the Grand Prize at this year's Tokyo Filmex film festival (November 22-30).
Wanda, Busan to set up co-pro fund
27-Nov-2014China's Wanda Group and Korea's second biggest city, Busan, are reportedly setting up a $90m (KRW100bn) fund to finance China-Korea co-productions.
Hong Kong, Korea sign creative pact
27-Nov-2014Hong Kong and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which aims to encourage collaboration between the two countries' creative industries.
Interstellar stays on top in China
25-Nov-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Christopher Nolan's Interstellar retained its lead at the top of the China box office last week, grossing $41.45m from 7 million admissions.
No Man's Land wins NFDC Award
25-Nov-2014Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's No Man's Land was awarded the $16,000 (Rs1m) NFDC Development Award at the close of the Film Bazaar co-production market (Nov 20-24).
Big Bang Theory's Nayyar takes first Hindi role
24-Nov-2014EXCLUSIVE: Kunal Nayyar has been cast in Sikhya Entertainment's sci-fi drama Punha, marking The Big Bang Theory star's first acting role in Hindi.
Open Air, Excel climb Three Storeys
24-Nov-2014EXCLUSIVE: Priya Sreedharan's start-up production outfit Open Air Films is partnering with Excel Entertainment on romantic drama Three Storeys.
Blind Massage sweeps Golden Horse awards
23-Nov-2014Lou Ye's Blind Massage was the big winner at this year's Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, scooping six prizes including best film and best new performer for Zhang Lei.
Big Bang Theory star sees Reason
22-Nov-2014EXCLUSIVE: Kunal Nayyar, star of The Big Bang Theory, is heading the cast of Aditya Bhattacharya's A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, an English-language crime drama shooting in India and Los Angeles.
Film Bazaar: India builds an ecosystem
21-Nov-2014Liz Shackleton looks at how organisers of Goa's annual Film Bazaar are following on successes with new initiatives and closer ties to finance. But where are the Indian audiences for independent Indian films?
Poland gets a kick out of Bollywood attraction
21-Nov-2014Poland is emerging as a hot new destination for Indian productions, with major films such as as Kick, Bangistan and Shaandaar all shooting at Polish locations over the past eight months.
Christopher J. Dodd, MPAA
14-Nov-2014MPAA chairman and chief executive Chris Dodd talks to Liz Shackleton about Japanese audiences, China's quotas and the impact of digital distribution on the film business.
Taiwan loosens quota for mainland films
14-Nov-2014Taiwan's Ministry of Culture has said it will expand the country's quota for mainland Chinese films to also include arthouse and award-winning Chinese titles.
Turtles retains China box office lead
11-Nov-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles retained its lead at the China box office for the week November 3-9, grossing a further $25.17m from 4 million admissions for a cumulative total of $52.12m.
Easternlight, Huace team on Lights Out
10-Nov-2014Arclight's Asian arm, Easternlight Films, is partnering with China's Huace Pictures to package action film Lights Out, directed by Xavier Gens.
Backup visits Miike's Apocalypse
8-Nov-2014EXCLUSIVE: Nikkatsu pacts with Paris-based company, which will handle European sales on upcoming vampire yakuza movie.
Gong Yu, iQiyi
6-Nov-2014iQiyi founder and CEO Gong Yu talks to Liz Shackleton about the company's production plans and how it is working on its film business with parent company Baidu.
Astro Shaw blasts to AFM with Nova
6-Nov-2014Malaysia's Astro Shaw is bringing a slate of new productions to AFM, headed by sci-fi road comedy Nova, as it ramps up production with an eye on international markets.
TERRITORY FOCUS: China
5-Nov-2014Screen's third China special looks at Sino-US collaborations and the trends shaping domestic production.
Turtles knock Lucy off China top spot
5-Nov-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles topped the Chinese box office with an opening gross of $26.51m, in a week when four new releases made it into the top ten.
China: A territory transformed
3-Nov-2014The Chinese market once again proved its might with Transformers 4's record-setting box office; but beyond the tentpoles are changing trends in finance, audiences and production. Liz Shackleton assesses the state of the industry in 2014.
China: Revolutionising content
3-Nov-2014The three internet companies known collectively as BAT are having a major impact on the Chinese film industry. Liz Shackleton reports on what the major players are producing and why they want to sit across the entire value chain.
China: The next big things
3-Nov-2014From stories of modern romance in Beijing to a Chinese-language rom-com scripted by Justin Lin and the controversial Crouching Tiger sequel, Liz Shackleton previews some of the hottest films coming out of China.
Lucy beats Guardians at China box office
29-Oct-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Luc Besson's sci-fi action thriller Lucy topped the China box office for the week October 20-26, grossing $20.02m in its opening three days.
TIFF's 'Seven Samurai' look back with nostalgia
26-Oct-2014Tokyo International Film Festival's 'Seven Samurai' directors compared the restrictive studio-controlled filmmaking environment of modern-day Japan to the golden age of Akira Kurosawa at a talk event on Sunday.
Abu Dhabi's driving force
24-Oct-2014Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 23-Nov 1) brings the best in world cinema to the region, while its Sanad fund has put local film-makers on the international stage.
Daihachi Yoshida, Pale Moon
23-Oct-2014Director Daihachi Yoshida tells Liz Shackleton about Pale Moon, his story of a housewife embezzler, the only Japanese film in Tokyo's competition this year
TIFFCOM talks adaptations
22-Oct-2014A panel at this week's TIFFCOM discussed how figuring out who owns the rights to a novel can be a complicated business in Japan.
Guardians takes top spot in China
22-Oct-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Guardians Of The Galaxy finally knocked local mega-hit Breakup Buddies off the top spot at the China box office last week, grossing $37.97m over seven days (October 13-19).
Court, Chauranga win top awards in Mumbai
22-Oct-2014Indian films Court, Chauranga and Killa were the big winners at the close of the Mumbai Film Festival (MFF), which wrapped on Tuesday night.
Where have all the writers gone?
20-Oct-2014Some of India's leading filmmakers discussed the country's lack of creative screenwriters during a Mumbai Film Festival panel discussion.
Paskaljevic to direct Dev Bhoomi
20-Oct-2014Serbian director Goran Paskaljevic is planning to shoot Indo-Serbian co-production Dev Bhoomi, starring Victor Banerjee, in India next March.
Bollywood turns out for Mumbai fest opening
15-Oct-2014Bollywood stars including Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned out for the opening of the Mumbai Film Festival (October 14-21), which is celebrating its 16th edition despite almost being shut down a few months ago due to lack of funding.
Breakup Buddies stays on top in China
14-Oct-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Ning Hao's edgy comedy Breakup Buddies was the top-grossing film in China over the week October 6-12, taking $48.56 from 8.7 million admissions, according to figures from EntGroup.
NFDC unveils Film Bazaar projects
13-Oct-2014Mira Nair-produced Three And A Half and Amitav Kaul's Interpreter Of Maladies are among the 32 projects selected for the Co-production Market of this year's Film Bazaar (Nov 20-24) in Goa, India.
China's Huace to buy stake in Korea's N.E.W.
10-Oct-2014China's Huace Film & TV is buying a 15% stake in South Korean investor-distributor Next Entertainment World (N.E.W.).
Korean producers criticise market monopoly
8-Oct-2014The producers of some of Korea's biggest ever blockbusters voiced concerns about vertical integration and monopolisation of the local cinema industry at a Busan seminar today.
Qingdao to offer production subsidies
8-Oct-2014The Qingdao government and Wanda Group are introducing a package of incentives to encourage productions to shoot at Wanda's Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis.
Li Xiaofeng, Nezha
8-Oct-2014Li Xiaofeng's debut feature Nezha, which is premiering in Busan's New Currents competition, is a coming-of-age drama about the friendship between two teenage girls.
Equity crowdfunding still facing hurdles
8-Oct-2014Equity crowdfunding has the potential to become an important tool for filmmakers, but still faces regulatory hurdles around the world, said panellists at Busan's KOFIC Industry Forum (Oct 5-7).
AFPF mulls Asian cinema portal
7-Oct-2014Policy-makers, film commissioners and producers at this year's Asian Film Policy Forum (Oct 6-7) discussed plans to launch an Asian cinema portal, possibly as an educational initiative to widen the audience for Asian films.
BIFF-MPA workshop awards zombie comedy
5-Oct-2014Kim Chang Hoon won the top prize at this year's BIFF-MPA Film Workshop for his take on a zombie black comedy, Home Sweet Home.
Hairun, VRPA start shooting Mountain Cry
5-Oct-2014EXCLUSIVE: Larry Yang's Mountain Cry, co-produced by Hairun Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures Asia, started production today in the Taihang Mountains of China's Shanxi Province.
Busan's Asia Star Awards honours Chan
5-Oct-2014Peter Ho-sun Chan received the Asia Star Awards' 'Special Achievement Award' in recognition of his contribution to the Asian film industry at the Busan International Film Festival on October 4.
Beijing delegation seeks Korean co-ventures
5-Oct-2014The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has brought a delegation of companies to Busan's Asian Film Market for the first time, including leading producers such as Galloping Horse, Stellar Megamedia and Desen International Media.
Busan: Asian Film Market 2014
5-Oct-2014Korea's expanding VoD market and increasing cooperation between Korea and China are driving growth at this year's Asian Film Market.
Easternlight picks up Annie Yi's The Queens
4-Oct-2014Arclight Films' Asian label, Easternlight Films, has picked up international rights to The Queens, directed by and starring Taiwanese singer and actress Annie Yi.
Ann Hui, The Golden Era
4-Oct-2014Ann Hui, Busan's Asian Filmmaker of the Year, talks to Liz Shackleton about her Venice closing film, The Golden Era, Hong Kong cinema and her history with BIFF.
Partho Sen-Gupta, Sunrise
3-Oct-2014Receiving its world premiere in BIFF's New Currents competition, Partho Sen-Gupta's Sunrise tells the story of a police inspector whose daughter was kidnapped years ago when she was only six.
Dearest tops China box office
30-Sep-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Peter Ho-sun Chan's Dearest topped the China box office for the week September 22-28, grossing $15.85m over its first four days.
Egypt selects Factory Girl for Oscars
29-Sep-2014Mohamed Khan's Factory Girl has been selected as Egypt's submission to the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Nicolas Cage's Outcast pulled from China release
26-Sep-2014EXCLUSIVE: Arclight Films' period action film Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage, was pulled from Chinese theatrical release last night, just hours before its midnight previews.
Fatih Akin's The Cut to open Cairo
25-Sep-2014Fatih Akin's The Cut will open the 36th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which is scheduled to run November 9-18.
Non-Stop has strong China opening
23-Sep-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: While Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes and The Expendables 3 topped the box office over the week September 15-21, Liam Neeson starrer Non-Stop had a strong opening, grossing $7.28m in three days.
Winnie Lau joins Jet Tone Films
23-Sep-2014Wong Kar Wai's Hong Kong-based production company Jet Tone Films has appointed former Fortissimo Films executive Winnie Lau as Head of International Co-Production and Distribution.
China, India sign co-production treaty
19-Sep-2014India and China signed a long-planned co-production agreement during the state visit of China's president Xi Jinping to India.
China's Tencent enters film production
19-Sep-2014Tencent has become the latest Chinese internet giant with film industry ambitions, announcing plans to produce four to five movies a year.
Revived Mumbai fest unveils programme
17-Sep-2014The Mumbai Film Festival (Oct 14-21), recently saved by public donations following a funding crunch, unveiled its line-up today including the India Gold Competition and International Competition for first features.
Winnie Lau to leave Fortissimo Films
17-Sep-2014Fortissimo Films has announced that Winnie Lau is leaving after 13 years with the company to join a leading production house in a senior capacity.
Apes reclaims top spot in China
16-Sep-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Fox's Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes narrowly outgrossed The Expendables 3 to take back the top spot at the Chinese box office last week (Sep 8-14).
Hong Kong submits Golden Era to Oscars
16-Sep-2014Fresh from its Venice premiere, Ann Hui's The Golden Era has been selected as Hong Kong's entry to the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Huayi to invest $130m in US subsidiary
16-Sep-2014Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Media Corporation is investing $130m in a wholly-owned subsidiary in Los Angeles.
Singapore filmmakers protest doc ban
11-Sep-2014A group of Singaporean filmmakers including Anthony Chen, Boo Junfeng, Royston Tan and Kelvin Tong has issued a statement protesting the local ban of Tan Pin Pin's documentary To Singapore With Love.
Expendables 3 tops China box office
10-Sep-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Undeterred by piracy, The Expendables 3 grossed $32.84 in its first week at the China box office, knocking Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes into second position.
John Woo's The Crossing to open Dec 2
10-Sep-2014Beijing Galloping Horse has set the China release date for the first part of John Woo's upcoming epic drama The Crossing for December 2.
Magnum pre-buys Media Asia duo
10-Sep-2014Magnum Pictures has pre-bought two titles from Media Asia – Helios and Triumph In The Sky – for Australia/NZ. The distributor has also set a Canada release date for Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 following the positive reaction to its TIFF screening.
Luang Prabang fest to open with Lao omnibus
9-Sep-2014The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced its line-up for this year's edition, including the world premiere of Lao omnibus Vientiane In Love, which opens the festival on December 6.
Weaving in talks for Gandhi's Bird Eclipse
7-Sep-2014EXCLUSIVE: Hugo Weaving is in talks to star in fantasy period drama Bird Eclipse, the next project from Ship Of Theseus director Anand Gandhi.
Asian trio team for China-focused fund
4-Sep-2014Hong Kong's Media Asia, Korean talent management group SM Entertainment and Taiwan's Kbro Media have established a fund for joint investment in film and TV production aimed at Chinese-speaking audiences.
Khoo, Nansun Shi team on erotic drama
3-Sep-2014Singapore's Zhao Wei Films and Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop are co-producing Eric Khoo's erotic drama, In The Room, which started shooting in Singapore today.
Naji Abu Nowar, Theeb
3-Sep-2014Premiering in Venice's Orizzonti section, Naji Abu Nowar's Theeb is a coming-of-age story about a young Bedouin boy who is forced to grow up fast following the death of his father and the arrival of a British army officer on a mysterious mission.
Rice, Settle to star in Kelvin Tong horror
3-Sep-2014Elizabeth Rice (Mad Men) and Matthew Settle (Band Of Brothers) will star in Singaporean director Kelvin Tong's English-language horror film The Faith Of Anna Waters.
Apes swings into top spot in China
2-Sep-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Fox International's Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes kept local action title The Four 3 off the top spot at the China box office last week, grossing a hefty $45.13m over its three-day opening weekend.
Mumbai fest campaign raises $250k
1-Sep-2014UPDATED: The social media campaign to save the Mumbai Film Festival, threatened with closure due to a lack of funding, has raised $250,000 in just two days.
Festival chiefs protest Beijing indie fest closure
27-Aug-2014More than 20 festival heads and programmers have signed a statement in support of the Beijing Independent Film Festival, which was shut down by Chinese authorities last weekend.
Eros, Viacom18 strike distribution pact
27-Aug-2014India's Eros International has struck a deal to handle international distribution of four films produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
Dragon 2 retains China BO lead
26-Aug-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: How To Train Your Dragon 2 held on to the top spot at the China box office in the week August 18-24, grossing a further $24.09m for a cumulative total of $50.86m.
Thai studios team for Transformation
26-Aug-2014Four Thai film companies – M Pictures, Bangkok Film Studio, True I-Content and Matching Studio – have joined forces to create a new studio, Transformation Films, with the aim of helping expand the Thai film industry at an international level.
Beijing Independent fest shut down
24-Aug-2014Chinese authorities shut down the 11th Beijing Independent Film Festival on its opening day on Saturday (August 23).
Films pirated by 73% of Taiwanese
21-Aug-2014A study from research consultancy Sycamore Research and Marketing has found that 73% of Taiwanese netizens admit they pirate movies and music, although 81% agree that piracy is wrong.
Dragon 2 flies at China box office
19-Aug-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: DreamWorks Animation's How To Train Your Dragon 2 topped the Chinese box office for the week August 11-17, grossing $26.32m over a four-day weekend, while Apocalypse Pompeii opened in third position with $6.68m over three days.
China's LeTV to raise $730m
18-Aug-2014Online video company is working with partners including CITIC to enter retail and financial service industries.
Fortissimo takes Theeb world rights
15-Aug-2014Fortissimo Films has acquired world rights, excluding the Middle East, UK and Switzerland, to Venice Orizzonti title Theeb, directed by Naji Abu Nowar.
Dark Frames takes India's I.D.
15-Aug-2014US and Mumbai-based collaborative Dark Frames has acquired world rights to Indian director Kamal K.M.'s debut feature I.D.
Astro, Pinewood pact on production services
14-Aug-2014Astro Productions, the production arm of Malaysian pay-TV giant Astro, is joining forces with Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS) to offer production services for the TV industry.
Disney India readies Gowariker project
13-Aug-2014Ashutosh Gowariker will direct epic romance Mohenjo Daro for Disney India, with Hrithik Roshan and Pooja Hegde heading the cast.
Witch retains China box office lead
13-Aug-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Bona Film Group's White Haired Witch Of Lunar Kingdom topped the Chinese box office for a second week (August 4-10), grossing $19.71m from 3.2 million admissions.
SMI shares plunge on acquisition news
12-Aug-2014Shares of Hong Kong-listed SMI Culture Group plunged more than 50% during trading yesterday, after the company announced a share consolidation and rights issue to fund the acquisition of Beijing-based production company Grand Astute.
India's Phantom charges up Powerless
12-Aug-2014Indian producer-distributor Phantom Films has picked up local award-winning documentary Powerless (Katiyabaaz) and will release the film this weekend on 30 screens.
Oplev to direct Kahaani remake
25-Jul-2014Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev wil direct Deity, an English-language remake of Indian hit thriller Kahaani for YRF Entertainment.
Spackman jumps 79% on Singapore debut
22-Jul-2014Korea's Spackman Entertainment Group (SEG) surged 78.9% in an IPO on the Catalist board of the Singapore stock exchange on Tuesday (July 22).
Tiny Times 3 tops China box office
22-Jul-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: The third installment in Guo Jingming's Tiny Times franchise grossed $50.12m over its opening weekend in China, finally toppling Transformers: Age Of Extinction from the top spot.
China box office up 25% in H1 2014
21-Jul-2014China's box office increased by 25% to reach $2.23bn (RMB13.74bn) in the first half of 2014, according to official figures from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRT).
Unveil The Truth wins in Taipei
21-Jul-2014Kevin Lee's documentary Unveil The Truth II: State Apparatus won the Grand Prize and best documentary at this year's Taipei Film Awards, which took place at the close of the Taipei Film Festival on July 19.
Lippo Group to invest $516m in cinemas
21-Jul-2014Indonesia's Lippo Group has announced plans to invest $516m (6 trillion rupiahs) in 300 multiplexes across the country over the next ten years.
Alibaba pacts with high-profile trio
21-Jul-2014ChinaVision Media Group, which will soon be renamed Alibaba Pictures Group, has signed production deals with Wong Kar Wai's Block 2 Pictures, Angie Chai and Giddens Ko's Star Ritz International Entertainment and Peter Ho-sun Chan's We Pictures.
Panna Rittikrai dies aged 53
21-Jul-2014Panna Rittikrai, the action choreographer who introduced Thai action movies to world audiences, has died aged 53.
China's iQiyi launches film company
18-Jul-2014Chinese video streaming platform iQiyi is launching a film company, iQiyi Films, which aims to develop a new internet-oriented business model for film production.
Transformers holds China top spot
15-Jul-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Transformers: Age Of Extinction held onto the top spot at the China box office in its third week, although local comedy The Break-up Guru also managed to hold its own.
Fox out, Fosun up at Bona Film Group
14-Jul-2014Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group is acquiring an additional 13.3% stake in Bona Film Group, while 21st Century Fox is divesting its stake in the Beijing-based studio.
Film Bazaar announces script finalists
8-Jul-2014Film Bazaar, the South Asian film market organised by India's National Film Development Corp (NFDC), has selected the six finalists of Screenwriters' Lab 2014.
Transformers breaks China records
8-Jul-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Paramount's Transformers: Age Of Extinction has become the highest-grossing film of all time in China, taking $222.74m in its first ten days, and breaking the $221.9m record set by Avatar in 2010.
Transformers, Break-up Guru top China box office
1-Jul-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Local romantic comedy The Break-up Guru provided the only resistance against the power of Paramount's Transformers: Age Of Extinction at the Chinese box office last week, grossing $24.18m in its first three days.
Pinewood Malaysia appoints CEO
1-Jul-2014Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS) has appointed Rezal A. Rahman as CEO, replacing Michael Lake who has moved to head Rhizophora Ventures.
Kantana sets up Japan joint venture
30-Jun-2014Thailand's Kantana Group has set up a joint venture with Japanese studio Nikkatsu and broadcaster Nippon TV to work on projects including CGI production and animation.
Maleficent, Godzilla rule China box office
24-Jun-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Disney's Maleficent grossed a healthy $22.01m in its opening three days in China, in a week dominated by Hollywood tentpoles, which took the top four positions in the top ten.
Fosun to invest in Robinov's Studio 8
23-Jun-2014China's Fosun International has announced in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it plans to invest in former Warner Bros Pictures chief Jeff Robinov's new venture Studio 8.
Little England wins best film in Shanghai
22-Jun-2014Greek period drama Little England was awarded three major prizes, including best film, at the Golden Goblet Awards of this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF, June 14-22).
Fox, Bona team for Bride Wars remake
22-Jun-2014Fox International Productions (FIP) and China's Bona Film Group are co-producing a Chinese-language remake of Fox hit Bride Wars, which is being directed by Tony Chan.
China Film Group IPO to raise $740m
20-Jun-2014China Film Group's long-mooted initial public offering is moving closer, with plans for a $740m listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
Godzilla crushes $37m China debut
17-Jun-2014China box office: Godzilla had an impressive opening at the China box office last weekend, grossing $37m and pushing Edge Of Tomorrow to second place.
Oriental DreamWorks unveils slate
16-Jun-2014Oriental DreamWorks has struck development deals with Chinese producers including Dreams of the Dragon Pictures, as it moves towards producing more live action and China-originated content.
Relativity Media expands in China
16-Jun-2014Relativity Media has announced strategic alliances with China's Jiangsu Broadcasting Corp (JSBC) and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and has also been appointed international distribution partner by China Film Promotion International.
Cheng to head Lucasfilm Singapore
15-Jun-2014Teresa Cheng has been appointed to the post of general manager of Lucasfilm Singapore, reporting directly to Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
Indonesia set for box office growth
29-May-2014The entry of local conglomerate Lippo Group and Korea's CJ CGV into Indonesian exhibition looks set to shake up a market that has huge potential but has so far failed to grow.
Shanghai fest unveils competition line-up
29-May-2014Mostofa S. Farooki's Ant Story and John Carney's Begin Again are among the films that will compete for the Golden Goblet Award at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF).
X-Men has mighty China opening
27-May-2014China Box Office: Fox's X-Men: Days Of Future Past has had the biggest opening weekend for a Hollywood film so far this year in China, grossing $39.35m in three days (May 23-25).
Van Damme's Pound Of Flesh wraps in China
27-May-2014Ace Studios and Odyssey Media's action thriller Pound Of Flesh, starring Jean Claude Van Damme, wrapped in Ace Studios' facilities in Guangdong, China this week.
Kanu Behl, Titli
21-May-2014Mumbai-based filmmaker Kanu Behl is making his feature debut with Titli, about the youngest member of a car-jacking brotherhood attempting to escape his oppressive family.
Hairun, Village team for Mountain Cry
20-May-2014Yang Zi's film is based on a Chinese novel by Ge Shuiping.
Arclight's Rabbit hops the world
20-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Animated sequel sells to UK distributor, among other territories.
MAD unveils ten Arab releases
20-May-2014Cairo-based distributor will release the films across the region over the next year.
Apparat readies first Indonesia co-pro
20-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian production company to co-produce Dain Iskander Said's film with Rupakata Cinema.
New Century to make Cotton tale
20-May-2014Egyptian production company to produce first film to team director Amr Salama and Ahmed Helmy.
Jia Zhangke to make Mountain River
19-May-2014Jia Zhangke has revealed details of his next project, Mountain River Old Friend (working title), which he plans to film in China and Australia.
Fortissimo seals deals on Hypnotist, Black Coal
19-May-2014Fortissimo Films has sold recent pick-up The Great Hypnotist to several territories and continues to do brisk business on Berlin Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice, which was gone to Broadmedia Studios for Japan.
Easternlight hops on Rabbit sequel
19-May-2014Arclight Films' specialty arm Easternlight has picked up international rights to Legend Of A Rabbit: Martial Of Fire 3D, produced by Tianjin North Film Group.
Shochiku unveils Ninja The Monster
19-May-2014Ken Ochiai's film is the first in a series of smaller-budget films aimed at international markets.
The Crossing hits Cannes
19-May-2014The cast of John Woo's upcoming romantic epic attended a press conference in Cannes on Saturday [May 17].
South Korea to remake Drug War
18-May-2014Media Asia Films has signed a deal with South Korea's Jong Film to remake Johnnie To's Drug War into a Korean-language feature.
China remake for M-Line's Marriage
18-May-2014Korea's M-Line Distribution has sold remake rights to Marriage Blue to China's Taihe Films, which is planning to make a TV series based on the film.
Cannes chief to receive Korean honour
18-May-2014The government of South Korea is awarding the Order of Culture Merit, Eun-Gwan Medal to Thierry Fremaux, the general delegate of the Cannes Film Festival.
Mirovision sells Mr Perfect to Japan
18-May-2014South Korea's Mirovision has sold Kim Myung-gyun's Mr Perfect to a slew of Asian territories including Twin for Japan.
MAD, Front Row sign output deal
18-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: First title to be released under the deal is The Double.
Pressman to receive lifetime award
18-May-2014Producer will receive the lifetime achievement award at the inaugural International Showbiz Expo.
China's Mili taps Borden for LA office
17-May-2014Chinese animation studio Mili Pictures Worldwide has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by producer Bill Borden.
CJ sells Girl At My Door
17-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Directorial debut of July Jung sells to French distributor Epicentre.
Indonesia festival and market to launch
17-May-2014New film festival and market aims to support burgeoning local film industry.
Ip Man 3 heading to US
17-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Latest instalment of biopic action franchise sells to Well Go USA.
Golden Network pulls strings on Arti
17-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Currently in post-production, the $10m fantasy adventure is directed by Chris Huang.
Wanda unveils Qingdao fest details
16-May-2014Dalian Wanda Group has appointed Stephen Mensch as CEO of its new film studio and media complex, Qingdao Oriental Movie Industrial Park, while Rose Kuo has been named CEO of the Qingdao International Film Festival.
Chin Han joins Marco Polo cast
16-May-2014Singaporean actor Chin Han has joined the cast of Marco Polo, which is currently shooting in Malaysia for Netflix and The Weinstein Company (TWC).
Distribution Workshop finds Dragon
16-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Sing Choong Foo's animation features voice talents of Zhang Ziyi and Wang Leehom.
UK's BBE teams with Indian filmmakers
16-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: UK-based Beautiful Bay Entertainment teams up with Vikramaditya Motwane and Tulsea Pictures.
TIFF to host screening at Kabukiza
16-May-2014Tokyo's main venue for kabuki performance is rarely used for film screenings.
Media Asia sells trio to North America
15-May-2014Hong Kong's Media Asia has sold Johnnie To's romantic comedy Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 to Magnum Films for North America.
Aquamen set to produce $40m Kong
15-May-2014US-based Aquamen Entertainment and Pigmental Studios are teaming with Chinese and Korean partners on $40m 3D animated feature Kong.
M-Line takes Youth to Hong Kong
15-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Omnibus drama sells to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Bravos joins Tony Jaa action feature
15-May-2014Soi Cheang's action drama stars Tony Jaa [pictured], Wu Jing and Simon Yam.
Finecut gets Obsessed with Bravos
15-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Finecut sells romantic drama to Hong Kong distributor.
Shanghai media hub to offer incentives
14-May-2014Singapore's Cubix International and China's Bestlinkage Group are opening a $1.5bn media hub, D'Hive, in the Songjiang district of Shanghai.
Takashi Miike casts The Raid star
14-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Indonesian action star Yayan Ruhian (The Raid, The Raid 2) has been cast opposite Hayato Ichihara in Takashi Miike's return to hardcore genre filmmaking.
Five Star takes horror Hong Hoon
14-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Thailand's Five Star Production has picked up worldwide rights to horror thriller Hong Hoon.
Showbox rampant for Kundo deals
14-May-2014EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Showbox/Mediaplex has sealed a string of major territory deals for action feature Kundo: Age Of The Rampant.
Medient backs Kamal Swaroop's Battle
12-May-2014Medient Studios and producer Manu Kumaran are backing Kamal Swaroop's documentary The Battle Of Banaras, which follows the on-going Indian elections.
Malaysia: The stage is set
12-May-2014Malaysia's burgeoning film industry gets a huge boost with next month's opening of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios. Liz Shackleton reports.
Classmate, Hypnotist top China box office
7-May-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Frant Gwo's romantic drama My Old Classmate held onto pole position at the Chinese box office last week with a futher haul of $34.63m, while opener The Great Hypnotist came in second with $22.28m.
Fortissimo entranced by Great Hypnotist
6-May-2014Fortissimo Films has struck a deal with China's Wanda Media to handle worldwide sales (excluding HK, Taiwan, SE-Asia) on current box office hit The Great Hypnotist.
Gong Li to head Shanghai jury
6-May-2014Chinese actress Gong Li will serve as jury president for this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), which will take place June 14-22.
Derek Yee's Sword Master set for battle
5-May-2014Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop is launching two titles directed by Derek Yee at the upcoming Cannes marche; 3D martial arts action title Sword Master and drama I Am Somebody.
Thailand Dest Fest awards newcomers
2-May-2014The Thailand International Film Destination Festival wrapped on April 29, with awards presented to the winners of the Amazing Thailand Film Challenge.
Taipei fest unveils new talent line-up
2-May-2014The Taipei Film Festival has unveiled the 12 films that have been selected for its International New Talent Competition, including the world premiere of local production Partners In Crime.
T-Series signs partners for Pandey film
29-Apr-2014Indian production house T-Series is teaming with Crouching Tiger Motion Pictures and Friday Filmworks to co-produce a project directed by Neeraj Pandey and starring Akshay Kumar.
'Classmate' tops China box office
29-Apr-2014CHINA BOX OFFICE: Local romantic drama My Old Classmate beat Donnie Yen action drama Iceman 3D at the Chinese box office last weekend, grossing $17.31m in its first three days.
Disney pumps $800m into Shanghai park
29-Apr-2014The Walt Disney Company is investing an additional $800m (RMB5bn) into its Shanghai theme park, which is scheduled to open in December 2015.
Siddharth wins best film at BJIFF
24-Apr-2014Richie Mehta's Siddharth was awarded best film at the close of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), while Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster picked up three prizes including best director.
Transcendence opens third in China
22-Apr-2014Johnny Depp AI thriller Transcendence grossed $10.65m on its opening weekend in China, placing the film third at the weekly box office (April 14-20) behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Rio 2.
Beijing Film Market reveals $1.7bn deals
21-Apr-2014The Beijing Film Market (BFM) announced deals totalling $1.7bn (RMB10.5bn) for 32 projects at the close of the three-day event (April 17-19), including $615m (RMB3.8bn) for film production.
Huayi Brothers boards Men Vs Women remake
21-Apr-2014EXCLUSIVE: Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Media Corporation has boarded the Chinese remake of Italian comedies Men Vs Women and Women Vs Men and will produce with Cai Gongming's Road Pictures and Italian filmmaker Cristiano Bortone.
New fund backs Jackie Chan's Dragon Blade
17-Apr-2014Jackie Chan is set to star in Daniel Lee's period action epic Dragon Blade, to be financed by start-up film fund Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund.
Oliver Stone slams co-pros at Beijing
17-Apr-2014Oliver Stone was characteristically outspoken on the second day of the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), challenging China to rethink international co-productions and start making films that examine its past.
Hong Kong's EMP expands team
14-Apr-2014Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures has appointed production veteran Daniel Yu as production controller and Damon Chan as general manager, exhibition (PRC).
Grandmaster sweeps Hong Kong awards
14-Apr-2014Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster nabbed 12 prizes at the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday night, including best picture, best director and best actress for Zhang Ziyi.
Amina Dasmal, producer, The Double
11-Apr-2014The only Emirati working in the international film industry, Amina Dasmal and her business partner Robin Fox produced Richard Ayoade's The Double, which premiered at Toronto last year and is currently rolling out across Europe.
Captain America opens big in China
8-Apr-2014Disney and Marvel Studios' Captain America: The Winter Soldier topped the China box office during the week March 31-April 6, grossing $36.23m after just three days.
Macondo, Tale Of Iya take HKIFF prizes
8-Apr-2014Sudabeh Mortezai's Macondo won the Firebird Award in the Young Cinema Competition of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), while Tetsuichiro Tsuta's The Tale Of Iya took the Jury Prize.
Wong Kar Wai remembers missing stuntman
27-Mar-2014Wong Kar Wai made a heartfelt plea to the Malaysian government to shed more light on the fate of missing Malaysian plane MH370 at the close of the Asian Film Awards on Thursday night, revealing that the The Grandmaster's stuntman Ju Kun was travelling on the flight.
Filmart 2014: China's online video boom
26-Mar-2014Boasting a mix of local and foreign content, online streaming is big business in China. Liz Shackleton reports on the consolidation in the sector and what the future holds.
FILMART: HAF names award winners
26-Mar-2014Carrie Ng and Shirley Yung's Angel Whispers won this year's HAF award for a Hong Kong project at the close of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (March 26), while Taiwan's Private Eyes won the HAF award for a non-Hong Kong project.
EMP to produce Lam's To The Fore
26-Mar-2014Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) unveiled Dante Lam's next directorial project, action romance To The Fore, at Filmart today.
AR takes Aberdeen for North America
26-Mar-2014Milt Barlow's Asia Releasing (AR) will handle the theatrical release of Pang Ho Cheung's Aberdeen in North America.
BAFTA outlines Asia aims
26-Mar-2014Plans include growing its networking and cultural exchange activities in Hong Kong .
HAF Fox jury talk local filmmaking
26-Mar-2014Fox International Productions (FIP) president Sanford Panitch and the jury of the HAF/Fox Chinese Film Development Award discussed how filmmaking across the Greater China region has become more local at a round table yesterday.
Mega-Vision plans Vegas sequel
26-Mar-2014Hong Kong's Mega-Vision Project Workshop is planning a sequel to its Chinese New Year hit From Vegas To Macau, reuniting stars Chow Yun Fat and Nicholas Tse and director Wong Jing.
Fine Time to ride with Dream Kid
26-Mar-2014Japan's Dream Kid and Taiwan's Fine Time Entertainment have joined forces to co-produce road movie Riding The Breeze, directed by Japan's Koji Hagiuda.
China video sites boost production
25-Mar-2014China's online video giants are increasing investment in original content, from microfilms and web serials to feature films, in a bid to keep viewers in a fast-growing but increasingly competitive market.
Headshot duo reunites on Samui Song
25-Mar-2014Drama will reunite director with Headshot producer Raymond Phathanavirangoon and is set to star Chermarn "Ploy" Boonyasak.
Media Asia touts Break Up 100, Triumph
25-Mar-2014Hong Kong's Media Asia has unveiled a slate of new productions at Filmart, including Lawrence Cheng's romantic comedy Break Up 100 and a big screen adaptation of hit TV series Triumph In The Sky.
Richie Jen brings Love to Filmart
25-Mar-2014EXCLUSIVE: Taiwanese star Richie Jen has attended Filmart to promote his directorial debut, All You Need Is Love, in which he stars with Shu Qi.
Transcendence locks day-and-date China release
24-Mar-2014China's DMG Entertainment has announced that Wally Pfister's Transcendence, starring Johnny Depp, will be released in China day-and-date with the US on April 18.
BAFTA launches Hong Kong scholarships
24-Mar-2014The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is launching the BAFTA Yip Foundation Scholarships through which it is accepting applications from Hong Kong residents in need of financial assistance to study a postgraduate course in the UK in film, television or games.
Disney India plots Mahabharata
24-Mar-2014Disney India plans to produce a big screen version of Indian mythological epic The Mahabharata, to be directed by Abhishek Kapoor from a script by renowned author Ashok Banker.
Lionsgate, Endemol India team on Warrior
24-Mar-2014Lionsgate is making it first foray into production in India by co-producing Hindi-language sports drama Warrior with Endemol India's Eyedentity Motion Pictures.
China to launch new distribution licence
24-Mar-2014The Chinese government is expected to announce later this week that a second theatrical distribution licence will be awarded to China National Culture & Art Corporation (CNCAC).
Universe unveils Benny Chan duo
24-Mar-2014Universe Films Distribution is to unveil four new projects at Filmart, including an as-yet-untitled action film from Benny Chan and Adrian Kwan's drama Little Big Master, which Chan will produce.
China's Desen teams with Weta on epic
24-Mar-2014EXCLUSIVE: China's Desen International Media has brought on board top VFX houses including Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop for its upcoming $27m 3D fantasy adventure.
Pang, Mining to develop Polaroid Stories
24-Mar-2014EXCLUSIVE: US-based Story Mining & Supply Co (SMS) is teaming with director Pang Ho Cheung and Subi Liang's Making Film Productions to develop and produce an adaptation of Zhang Youyou memoir Polaroid Stories.
Huayi Bros. introduce Women Who Flirt
24-Mar-2014Beijing-based Huayi Brothers is launching sales on Pang Ho Cheung's romantic comedy Women Who Flirt and Mabel Cheung and Alex Law's $12m historical drama A Tale Of Three Cities at Filmart.
Emperor gets Two Thumbs Up
24-Mar-2014Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is launching sales on Soi Cheang-produced comedy drama Two Thumbs Up at Filmart
Pang Ho Cheung, Aberdeen
24-Mar-2014Film-maker Pang Ho Cheung talks to Liz Shackleton about HKIFF opening film Aberdeen, which looks at the contradictions of Hong Kong society
Filmart 2014: hot titles: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
24-Mar-2014Liz Shackleton spotlights the hottest productions from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Mei Ah to produce Soi, Ma thrillers
24-Mar-2014Hong Kong's Mei Ah Entertainment is producing new projects from Soi Cheang, director of Chinese New Year hit The Monkey King, and veteran filmmaker Joe Ma.
HAF hosting young filmmaker pitch
24-Mar-2014The inaugural Operation Greenlight pitching event for young filmmakers will be held during this year's Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
HAF/Fox Award: finalists 2014
24-Mar-2014An award supported by HAF and Fox International Productions nurtures new voices in Chinese-language cinema. Liz Shackleton introduces this year's finalists
Asian Film Awards honour Yen, Lau
19-Mar-2014The Asian Film Awards (AFAs) will present Donnie Yen with the Outstanding Asian Actor award and Carina Lau with the Outstanding Asian Actress award at a ceremony held on the eve of Filmart.
Russell Peters, Sean Astin hop on Ribbit
19-Mar-2014Comedian Russell Peters and actor Sean Astin (Lord Of The Rings) have boarded Malaysian 3D animated feature Ribbit as voice cast.
Need For Speed tops China chart
18-Mar-2014DreamWorks' Need For Speed took pole position at the Chinese box office over the weekend, grossing $21.09m in three days.
India at a crossroads
17-Mar-2014This year's FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai (March 12-14) was dominated by India's upcoming general elections.
Fortissimo, Fox team on Another Me
14-Mar-2014Fortissimo Films will work with Fox International Productions (FIP) to oversee sales of select international rights on Isabel Coixet's Another Me.
Rentrak readies India service launch
14-Mar-2014International box office measuring agency Rentrak Corp has started processing test data from Indian multiplexes as it gears up to launch box office tracking in the territory.
Film, TV worth $8bn to India
13-Mar-2014India's film and television industries contributed $8.1bn (Rs500bn) to the country's economy in 2013, according to a report launched by Deloitte at the ongoing FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai.
India box office up 10% in 2013
12-Mar-2014FICCI Frames: India's box office grew by 10% to reach $1.53bn (Rs93.4bn) in 2013, according to a FICCI-KPMG report released on the opening day of the FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai.
Alibaba takes 60% ChinaVision stake
12-Mar-2014Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding has acquired a 60% stake in film and TV producer and distributor ChinaVision Media Group for $804m.
Temporary Family moves into Edko slate
12-Mar-2014Edko Films will be launching sales on Cheuk Wan Chi's Temporary Family, a romantic comedy starring Nick Cheung, Sammi Cheng and Angelababy, at the upcoming Filmart content market in Hong Kong.
Ablaze Image takes Black & White 2
11-Mar-2014Taipei-based sales company Ablaze Image has picked up international rights to Tsai Yueh-hsun's Black & White: The Dawn Of Justice.
Snowpiercer locks China release date
11-Mar-2014Korean studio CJ Entertainment's China office has confirmed that Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer will be released in mainland China on March 17.
Cine Grand pacts with Time Antaeus
11-Mar-2014Netherlands-based exhibitor Cine Grand is collaborating with Beijing-based Time Antaeus Group to build cinemas in the mainland China market.
CA Media appoints Kamat as COO
10-Mar-2014Rajesh Kamat has been promoted to chief operating officer of CA Media, the Asian investment arm of Peter Chernin's The Chernin Group, starting April 2014.
Jeff Robinov eyes Chinese financing
6-Mar-2014Former Warner Bros film chief Jeff Robinov is reportedly in talks with China's Huayi Brothers Media Corp to secure financing for a new venture that will produce five films a year.
Smaug, Robocop top China box office
5-Mar-2014Robocop had a strong opening in China last weekend, grossing $20.67m (Feb 28-March 2), but The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug kept the top spot in the box office chart.
Kano tops Taiwan box office
3-Mar-2014Wei Te-sheng-produced sports drama Kano topped the box office over its opening weekend in Taiwan (Feb 27-March 2).
Edko names Yeung acquisitions chief
3-Mar-2014Hong Kong's Edko Films has appointed Esther Yeung as general manager of sales & acquisitions, as the company's veteran buyer, Audrey Lee, takes a step back to focus on her personal interests after 33 years with the company.
Aberdeen, Midnight After to open HKIFF
27-Feb-2014Pang Ho-cheung's Aberdeen and Fruit Chan's The Midnight After will open this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which takes place March 24-April 7.
Celestial signs pacts with El Rey
27-Feb-2014Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed a multi-year content deal with El Rey Network, the new cable channel established by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.
FICCI Frames partners with Australia
25-Feb-2014India's FICCI Frames conference, which is celebrating its 15th edition (March 12-14), has confirmed that Australia will be the partner country this year.
India, Canada sign co-pro treaty
25-Feb-2014India and Canada have signed a co-production agreement, wrapping up talks that have been on-going since 2010.
Fortissimo seals Berlin slate deals
24-Feb-2014Fortissimo Films has signed a string of deals on several titles on its Berlin slate, including further sales on Ira Sachs' Love Is Strange, which has gone to Spain (Golem) and Italy (Koch Media) among other territories.
HKIFF to premiere Better Tomorrow
24-Feb-2014The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) will screen the world premiere of Adam Wong's ICAC Investigators 2014 - Better Tomorrow, which has Dante Lam on board as consultant director, on March 26.
Beijing Love Story tops China box office
18-Feb-2014Wanda Media's Beijing Love Story topped the China box office last weekend, grossing $33.15m in three days, according to figures compiled by EntGroup.
Fox Star reunites with Jolly LLB team
18-Feb-2014Mumbai-based Fox Star Studios is reteaming with director Subhash Kapoor and actor Arshad Warsi on comedy drama Guddu Rangeela.
Imagica plans Pinewood Malaysia facility
12-Feb-2014Japanese post-production company Imagica Corp has formed a joint venture with Malaysia's Khazanah to set up a post-production facility, Imagica South East Asia, at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS).
Three festivals team to reboot AFAs
11-Feb-2014Three major Asian film festivals – Hong Kong, Busan and Tokyo – are joining forces to relaunch the Asian Film Awards in a bid to increase the pan-Asian influence of the annual event.
Grandmaster, Snowpiercer lead AFA noms
11-Feb-2014Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster scooped the most nominations for this year's Asian Film Awards with 11 nods, followed by Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer with five.
China box office up 82% over Chinese New Year
10-Feb-2014Huge growth fuels speculation that China may soon expand its quota for revenue-sharing imports to 44 films a year.
Indian box office: Local films race ahead
3-Feb-2014Hollywood hasn't yet maximised the potential of the Indian market, where 2013 saw some record-breaking Bollywood hits despite a slowdown in box-office growth. Liz Shackleton reports.
Ismailia to host co-production market
3-Feb-2014Egypt's Ismailia International Film Festival has announced plans for the second edition of projects market, Ismailia Co-production Platform, to take place from June 3-8.
Fortissimo sells Love to Altitude
29-Jan-2014EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has concluded a string of deals in key territories on its Sundance and Berlin title Love Is Strange, including the sale of UK rights to Will Clarke's Altitude Films.
Colfer, Perlman to voice Robodog
28-Jan-2014Glee star Chris Colfer and Ron Perlman will voice Marza Animation Planet's Robodog, while UK-based Timeless Films will handle international sales.
Fortissimo acquires Black Coal, Thin Ice
27-Jan-2014Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside mainland China to Berlin competition title Black Coal, Thin Ice, directed by Diao Yinan.
HAF unveils line-up of 29 projects
27-Jan-2014The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has unveiled this year's line-up of 29 projects, including two from the Philippines' Brillante Mendoza.
Monga boards Yash Raj Films' Titli
21-Jan-2014India's Yash Raj Films has brought on board producer Guneet Monga to advise on the international strategy for Kanu Behl's Titli, which is currently in post-production.
Thai filmmakers launch sales company
21-Jan-2014Six of Thailand's leading independent filmmakers have joined forces to launch an international sales and festival distribution company, Mosquito Films Distribution.
Disney UTV unveils 2014 slate
14-Jan-2014Indian studio Disney UTV has unveiled its release slate for 2014, which includes Hindi tentpoles such as P.K. starring Aamir Khan and Disney 3D titles Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Maleficent.
China Film set for management shuffle
10-Jan-2014State-owned giant China Film Group (CFG) is understood to be heading for major management changes, with La Peikang set to replace Han Sanping as chairman of the group.
Hong Kong box office up 4% in 2013
7-Jan-2014Hong Kong's box office increased by just 4% in 2013, with Iron Man 3 heading the chart with a haul of $13.72m, according to local industry body the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA).
Run Run Shaw dies aged 106
7-Jan-2014Sir Run Run Shaw, founder of Shaw Brothers Studios and a pioneer of early Chinese cinema and television, has died aged 106.
Dhoom 3 racks up $80m global tally
6-Jan-2014Dhoom 3 has become the first Indian film to cross the $80m (Rs5bn) barrier at the worldwide box office, according to producer-distributor Yash Raj Films.
Kino Lorber picks up Faith Connections
6-Jan-2014EXCLUSIVE: Kino Lorber has acquired US rights to Pan Nalin's feature documentry Faith Connections.
China box office grows 27% to $3.6bn
6-Jan-2014China's box office grew by 27% to reach $3.6bn (RMB21.8bn) in 2013, compared to $2.8bn (RMB17bn) the previous year.
Heilongjiang, FCCE sign cooperation deal
19-Dec-2013FCCE Hong Kong and China's Heilongjiang Loong Media Group have signed a cooperation agreement that will kick off by introducing the Entertainment Experience cross-media project in China.
Like Father, Like Son wins APFF awards
16-Dec-2013Hirokazu Kore-eda's Like Father, Like Son won best film and best director at the 56th Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF), which wrapped in Macau on Sunday night (Dec 15).
Khan to star in Fan for Yash Raj
16-Dec-2013India's Yash Raj Films has announced that Shahrukh Khan will star in its upcoming tentpole picture Fan.
Omar, Ilo Ilo win top prizes at DIFF
13-Dec-2013Hany Abu-Assad's Omar won best film in the Muhr Arab feature competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), while Anthony Chen's Ilo Ilo won best film in the Muhr AsiaAfrica section.
Mohamed Khan, Factory Girl
12-Dec-2013Liz Shackleton talks to Mohamed Khan about his romantic drama, which received a gala screening at DIFF.
DFTC report: need for more incentives
11-Dec-2013The Middle East film and TV industries need more film incentives, a bigger talent pool and a reliable TV ratings system in order to be able to compete on an international level, according to a white paper released at DIFF this week.
New Century plans Décor with Abdalla
10-Dec-2013EXCLUSIVE: Cairo-based New Century Production is putting together an ambitious six-picture slate featuring some of Egypt's leading veteran and independent filmmakers, including the next project from Rags And Tatters director Ahmad Abdalla.
EFO Films opens Dubai office
9-Dec-2013US producer-financier Emmett Furla Oasis Films (EFO Films) has opened an office in Dubai and will shoot two productions in the region within the next 18 months.
DayDream developing docs slate
9-Dec-2013Mohamed Samir's DayDream Art Production is developing a slate of documentaries and short films to follow its debut feature, Mohamed Khan's Factory Girl, which premiered at DIFF last night.
DIFF winners take short cut to Oscars
8-Dec-2013Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has been granted status as a qualifying film festival in the eligibility criteria for the short film category of the Academy Awards.
Borg exits Abu Dhabi's twofour54
8-Dec-2013Wayne Borg, chief commercial officer of Abu Dhabi's twofour54, is leaving the government-backed organisation to relocate to his native Australia.
Al Shehhi scoops IWC Filmmaker Award
8-Dec-2013Emirati filmmaker Waleed Al Shehhi has won the $100,000 IWC Filmmaker Award for his project Dolphins.
MAD Solutions unwraps DFM slate
8-Dec-2013Cairo-based MAD Solutions is presenting a slate of ten high-profile Arabic-language pictures at this year's Dubai Film Market (DFM).
New Century, CNC to present DFC awards
7-Dec-2013Egyptian production company New Century Production and France's National Cinema Centre (CNC) will each present a new award at this year's edition of Dubai Film Connection (DFC).
Dubai Film Market: Fishing for talent
6-Dec-2013Dubai Film Market is expanding with an increase in exhibitors and the introduction of the Dubai Docs initiative. Liz Shackleton reports.
Dubai goes back to its roots
6-Dec-2013The Dubai International Film Festival (Dec 6-14) is celebrating its 10th anniversary by shining a spotlight on Arab cinema.
No Man's Land has strong China opening
5-Dec-2013Chinese filmmaker Ning Hao's long-delayed road movie No Man's Land has grossed $3.2m (RMB19.5m) on its opening day in China (Dec 3).
Egypt's MAD reveals Family Secrets
4-Dec-2013Cairo and Abu Dhabi-based MAD Solutions has picked up worldwide rights to Hany Fawzy's Family Secrets, described as Egypt's first gay-themed film.
DIFF unveils Enjaaz, Filmi recipients
3-Dec-2013The Dubai International Film Festial (DIFF) has unveiled the latest recipients of its Enjaaz funding programme, along with a new initiative, Filmi, which aims to support Emirati filmmakers.
Rags & Tatters Egyptian box office hit
3-Dec-2013Egyptian independent production Rags & Tatters has grossed an impressive $30,000 following a two-week run in Egyptian cinemas. The film was originally slated to run for only one week.
Bona Film Group secures credit line
3-Dec-2013China's Bona Film Group has secured a $13m (RMB80m) credit facility from Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, which it will use to fund expansion of its multiplex business.
Huace pacts with Tiny Times creator
2-Dec-2013Shanghai-based production company Huace Film & TV has signed a $30m five-year deal with Guo Jingming, the novelist turned filmmaker behind the hugely successful Tiny Times franchise.
Grandmaster leads APFF nominations
29-Nov-2013Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmaster has scored the highest number of nominations for the upcoming Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFF) awards, which are being held in Macau for the second consecutive year (Dec 13-15).
Anthony Chen, Ilo Ilo
29-Nov-2013Singaporean director Anthony Chen hits close to home by drawing on childhood memories for his debut feature, Ilo Ilo.
The Spark, Titli win at Film Bazaar
25-Nov-2013Rajesh Jala's The Spark was awarded the $16,000 (Rs1m) Incredible India award at the close of Film Bazaar (Nov 20-24), while Kanu Behl's Titli took the Prasad Digital Intermediate prize.
Omar to open tenth Dubai film festival
24-Nov-2013The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF, December 6-14), which celebrates its tenth edition this year, will pay tribute to Arab cinema by opening with Hany Abu Assad's Omar.
Pocket Films takes online Overdose
24-Nov-2013Mumbai-based Pocket Films is joining forces with Bengali filmmaker Q's Overdose Joint to launch an online distribution platform for independent films.
Primehouse, Dattani team for remake sales
24-Nov-2013Germany's Primehouse is teaming with Mumbai-based media consultant Dina Dattani to launch boutique agency Primesales, which will focus on selling remake rights to India.
Fremaux compares Indian cinema to '70s Hollywood
23-Nov-2013Visiting Film Bazaar for the first time, Thierry Fremaux drew comparisons between Indian cinema and the ground-breaking films made in the US in the 1970s.
Gyan Correa, The Good Road
22-Nov-2013Director Gyan Correa talks to Liz Shackleton about his debut feature The Good Road, selected by India as its official entry for the best foreign-language Oscar category.
South Asia's road to Oscar glory
22-Nov-2013From tales of lesbian romance, errant villagers and unwanted pregnancy to a road movie and dreams of escape, Screen profiles the five South Asian films submitted to the Oscars' foreign-language film category.
Film Bazaar: Appetite growing for Indian cinema
21-Nov-2013Films nurtured by Film Bazaar are beginning to secure distribution both at home and overseas, but challenges remain for independent Indian cinema. Liz Shackleton reports.
Primexchange hunts Indo-European ties
21-Nov-2013The Primexchange co-production workshop (Nov 18-24) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year with a strong line-up of ten projects, along with guest project In Search Of A Miracle, based on William Dalrymple's book Nine Lives.
Recyclewala unveils slate, tech labs
21-Nov-2013Anand Gandhi and Sohum Shah's Recyclewala Films is branching out with a slate of new projects and the launch of several tech-oriented initiatives, including a transmedia arm.
American Hustle to close Dubai fest
18-Nov-2013David O. Russell's American Hustle has been selected for the closing night gala of the 10th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs December 6-14.
Fox Star teams with Illuminati Films
14-Nov-2013Mumbai-based Fox Star Studios is partnering with Dinesh Vijan and Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati Films to produce comedy Finding Fanny.
Dubai Film Connection unveils projects
12-Nov-2013Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has unveiled the 16 projects that will take part in its annual co-production market Dubai Film Connection (DFC).
Cite sells Faith to Madman, Contact
11-Nov-2013France's Cite Films has sold Pan Nalin's documentary Faith Connections to Madman Entertainment for Australia & New Zealand and Contact Films for Benelux at the AFM.
Universal kicks for Chinese Zodiac
10-Nov-2013EXCLUSIVE: Jackie & JJ International has sold Jackie Chan's action adventure Chinese Zodiac to Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) for territories including North America, UK and Eastern Europe.
China: Buzz Titles
7-Nov-2013Hot projects from Hong Kong and China include Jackie Chan's Police Story and a two-part epic from John Woo. Liz Shackleton previews the buzz titles
Territory Focus: China
7-Nov-2013Browse Screen's focus on China including features on distribution, setting up in the territory and the hottest new titles.
China: Journey to the East
7-Nov-2013Independent film companies are increasingly setting up shop in China, and using their ability to distribute Chinese films overseas to open doors in the territory.
China: Battle for independents
7-Nov-2013Non-studio foreign films can gross big numbers in China, but the business is getting tougher as risks increase alongside the rewards.
China: a digital domain
7-Nov-2013Digital marketing has become critical in China's increasingly competitive movie market, but it's a battle in which local films currently hold an advantage.
Pegasus stirs up Z storm
7-Nov-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Pegasus Motion Pictures is launching sales on crime thriller Z Storm, starring Louis Koo and Lam Ka Tung, at AFM.
Stalingrad has record-breaking China opening
5-Nov-2013Russian war epic Stalingrad had the biggest ever opening for a non-US, non-local film over the weekend in China, grossing $8.3m over four days (Oct 31-Nov 3).
Lee joins Dreams Of The Dragon
30-Oct-2013Chinese production and investment company Dreams of the Dragon Pictures (DDP) has hired Christopher DeHau Lee as president of its film division.
Golden Dream, Fandry win in Mumbai
25-Oct-2013Diego Quemada-Diez scoops top prize; Nagraj Manjule wins jury award.
NFDC unveils Film Bazaar projects
22-Oct-2013Veteran Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal and Qissa director Anup Singh are among the filmmakers who have had projects selected for the Co-production Market at this year's Film Bazaar in Goa, India.
Mumbai Film Mart expands in third year
21-Oct-2013The market ran alongside the Mumbai Film Festival which kicked off October 17 with a screening of The Butler.
Disney UTV unveils Telugu production
21-Oct-2013India's Disney UTV has unveiled its first Telugu-language production, an as-yet-untitled feature starring Mahesh Babu and written and directed by Koratala Siva.
Quentin Tarantino and Bong Joon Ho in conversation
11-Oct-2013Two of the world's biggest genre geeks, Quentin Tarantino and Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, discussed Asian cinema, casting and creative independence at the Busan film festival on Friday.
Voice Of China film starts shoot
10-Oct-2013South-East Asia's mm2 entertainment and mainland Chinese partners have started shooting a feature starring the contestants of TV reality talent show The Voice Of China.
Indian cinema gets boost at Busan
9-Oct-2013Eleven Indian features are screening at this year's Busan International Film Festival, reflecting the growing strength and diversity of cinema from the subcontinent.
Vijay Singh, Fox Star Studios
8-Oct-2013Fox Star Studios is scaling up with in-house productions and a remake of a Hollywood film. Liz Shackleton spoke to CEO Vijay Singh.
Anup Singh, Qissa: The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost
8-Oct-2013The first film to shoot under the India-Germany co-production treaty, Anup Singh's Qissa: The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost recently won the NETPAC award at the Toronto International Film Festival and is now screening in Busan's A Window On Asian Cinema section.
Korea, China eye greater collaboration
7-Oct-2013Local film executives talked of the need for joint Korean-Chinese funds and institutions to support co-productions at the first session of Busan's Asian Film Market today.
Dubai unveils Cinema Of The World titles
30-Sep-2013The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced the first tranche of titles to play in its Cinema Of The World Section.
Woo's Crossing rounds out cast
30-Sep-2013Qin Hailu and Wang Qianyuan amongst new cast members.
Disney UTV to adapt Bhagat's Revolution
30-Sep-2013Raj Kumar Gupta to direct the adaptation which is currently being scripted.
Ablaze Image picks up high-profile duo
30-Sep-2013Taipei-based sales company Ablaze Image has picked up international rights to Kano, produced by Wei Te-sheng (Warriors Of The Rainbow: Seediq Bale), and Yee Chih-yen's long-awaited third feature.
Butler to open Mumbai film festival
26-Sep-2013Lee Daniels' The Butler will open the 15th Mumbai Film Festival (October 17-24), which will screen more than 200 films from 65 countries and award $220,000 in cash prizes.
Disney UTV unveils three titles
24-Sep-2013Indian studio Disney UTV has unveiled its first three Hindi-language productions to be branded under the Disney banner.
Wanda launches $8.2bn studio complex
23-Sep-2013China's Wanda Group has announced plans for a $8.2bn (RMB50bn) film and television studio complex in the Chinese city of Qingdao at a ceremony attended by Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and a host of other US and Chinese stars.
Television, Good Road enter Oscar race
23-Sep-2013India has selected Gyan Correa's The Good Road as its entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards, while Bangladesh has submitted Mostofa S. Farooki's Television.
Canada's Studio Film Group takes Qissa
19-Sep-2013Punjabi period drama debuted at Toronto.
Mumbai, Abbey Road team on Music Lab
17-Sep-2013The Mumbai Film Festival is partnering with the UK's Abbey Road Studios and Bohemia Junction to launch a Music Composers Lab during this year's edition of the festival (October 17-24).
Taiwan submits Soul to Oscar race
16-Sep-2013Taiwan's Ministry of Culture has selected Chung Mong-hong's psychological thriller Soul as its official entry to the best foreign-language picture category of the Academy Awards.
India's Film Bazaar launches Producers' Lab
16-Sep-2013Film Bazaar, organised by India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), is introducing a Producers' Lab at this year's edition of the market.
CTE signs pacts with MVP, Universe
16-Sep-2013Pan-Asian broadcaster Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has signed exclusive output deals with Hong Kong-based producers Mega-Vision Project Workshop (MVP) and Universe Entertainment.
Asia Summit fetes local strengths
11-Sep-2013How staying local could ironically be the key to reaching an international audience was one of the major messages to emerge at the Toronto International Film Festival's (TIFF) second Asian Film Summit.
Production I.G. draws up Giovanni's Island
9-Sep-2013Tokyo-based animation studio Production I.G. is producing a hand-drawn animated feature, Giovanni's Island, directed by Mamoru Oshii collaborator Mizuho Nishikubo.
Buyers like Media Asia's Wrath
8-Sep-2013Hong Kong's Media Asia has sold martial arts drama Wrath Of Vajra to India's Zoom Entertainment Network and Taiwan's Sky Films following a private screening in Toronto.
Mishra readies shoot for Chauranga
8-Sep-2013EXCLUSIVE: Indian filmmaker Bikas Mishra's Chauranga is set to start shooting this month after securing investment from Singapore-based Surya Ventures.
Rotana rips deal for Rags and Tatters
7-Sep-2013EXCLUSIVE: Rotana Studios has acquired a slew of rights to Ahmad Abdalla's Rags And Tatters, which is receiving its world premiere in Toronto's Contemporary World Cinema section.
Beresford, Farhadi to head Mumbai juries
3-Sep-2013The Mumbai Film Festival has announced that Bruce Beresford will head its International Competition jury, while Asghar Farhadi will head the jury of the India Gold competition.
Ang Lee to head Golden Horse Awards jury
3-Sep-2013Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has announced that Ang Lee will head this year's jury.
Faith sells to France, Switzerland
2-Sep-2013EXCLUSIVE: Pan Nalin's documentary Faith Connections has been sold to France and Switzerland ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this week.
Zhang Yimou joins Le Vision Pictures
29-May-2013Filmmaker Zhang Yimou has joined Beijing-based studio Le Vision Pictures as creative director.
Shanghai unveils projects line-up
24-May-2013The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has unveiled the 30 projects that will participate in the two strands of its SIFF Project annual co-production market.
Sedic sells Oshin across Asia
24-May-2013Japanese production and sales company Sedic International has clinched a string of Asian pre-sales on Shin Togashi's drama Oshin, including a sale to JMD Entertainment for South Korea.
Shochiku to restore Ozu quartet
23-May-2013Shochiku took advice from Japan's National Film Centre on which Ozu classics to restore.
UTV boards Ship of Theseus
23-May-2013Company picks up Indian rights to Anand Gandhi's award-winning debut feature [pictured].
UK picks up Sake-Bomb
22-May-2013Junya Sakino's road movie [pictured] premiered at SXSW.
1,000 Rupee Note production wraps
22-May-2013Shrihari Sathe's directorial debut was produced by Infinitum Productions.
Fox to finance Kashyap's Bombay Velvet
21-May-2013Fox Star Studios is financing Anurag Kashyap's next directorial project, Bombay Velvet, a period drama starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.
Equation goes on Death March
21-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: French distributor acquires rights to Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr.'s Un Certain Regard title.
Village Roadshow invests in Irresistible
21-May-2013VREG is taking an undisclosed stake in Irresistible. In addition, VREG CEO Greg Basser will join the Irresistible board.
Golden Bird plans $60m Mumbai studio
21-May-2013Currently under construction, the facility aims to be a one-stop shop for local and international crews with sound stages, post-production, broadcast and VFX facilities, theatres, hotel accommodation and equipment hire.
American Dreams opens strongly in China
20-May-2013Peter Ho-sun Chan's American Dreams In China had a strong opening weekend in China, grossing $17.8m (RMB110m) in three days (May 17-19).
Pepperland among Sanad recipients
20-May-2013Un Certain Regard title My Sweet Pepperland and Mohammed Al Daradji's In The Sands Of Babylon are among the 16 films to receive grants from the Abu Dhabi Film Festival's Sanad fund.
Edko, Encore Rockin' with 9ers
20-May-2013Korean sales company 9ers Entertainment has sold Rockin' On Heaven's Door to Edko Films for Hong Kong and Encore for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
DIFF to host Cinematic Innovation Summit
19-May-2013The inaugural Cinematic Innovation Summit will be held December 5-6 in conjunction with the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
MAD launches pan-Arab distribution outfit
19-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Cairo and Abu Dhabi-based creative consultancy MAD Solutions is launching a pan-Arab distribution outfit, MAD Distribution, focusing on Arab and international films.
Five Star's Long Weekend sells to Peru
19-May-2013Thailand's Five Star Production has sold horror film Long Weekend (Thongsook 13) to Eurofilms for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Media Asia closes Drug War, Detective deals
18-May-2013Hong Kong's Media Asia has closed a raft of sales on Johnnie To titles Drug War and Blind Detective, as well as selling Wrath Of Vajra to Well Go USA.
FTS teams with Louise on Hermit
18-May-2013India and UK-based boutique studio Flick The Switch is teaming with Swiss production company Louise Productions to co-produce black comedy The Hermit.
Doha unveils new festival format
18-May-2013The Doha Film Institute (DFI) will hold two annual film festivals starting this year – the emerging talent-focused Qumra Film Festival in March, and the community-based Ajyal Film Festival for the Young in November.
Golden Scene to produce Fruit Chan's Midnight
18-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong's Golden Scene is producing Fruit Chan's first Hong Kong-set feature in almost a decade, sci-fi thriller The Midnight After, based on a best-selling novel.
Magnolia takes Tony Jaa actioner
18-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Magnolia Pictures has taken US rights to 3D action title TYG2 from Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm International.
Mostafa drives from A To B
18-May-2013Emirati filmmaker Ali F. Mostafa is gearing up to shoot his new feature, road movie A To B, with a trio of leading producers from the Arab world and backing from Abu Dhabi's twofour54.
Indian books to be pitched at Cannes
17-May-2013India's The Adaptation Company (TAC) and France's Best-Seller To Box Office are hosting an event on Saturday, May 18 to pitch Indian books for film adaptation.
Media Asia takes Death Trip
17-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Media Asia has picked up international rights to mainland Chinese thriller Death Trip, starring Korean actress Han Boreum.
Finecuts spreads Miracle
17-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Finecut has sealed a slew of deals on hit drama Miracle In Cell No 7 to a slew of territories including a sales to Magnum Films for Australia/NZ and China's Le Vision Pictures.
Chan's Police Story books deals
17-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: J & JJ International has closed a raft of deals on Jackie Chan's upcoming action title, Police Story 2013, which the star produced with China's Wanda Media.
Xu Zheng hops to Rabbit
17-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Chinese actor and filmmaker Xu Zheng has signed on to voice the lead character in Tianjian North Film Group's animated feature Legend Of A Rabbit: The Martial Of Fire.
Tsui Hark revisits Zu Warriors
17-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark is producing a new 3D installment in his iconic Zu Warriors series, to be directed by Yuen Woo-ping.
Fortissimo picks up Love Is Strange
16-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights outside North America to Ira Sachs' Love Is Strange, starring Alfred Molina and Michael Gambon.
Media Asia picks up Vajra, In The Dark
16-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong's Media Asia has picked up international rights to Chinese martial arts title The Wrath Of Vajra and Malaysian horror In The Dark.
M-Line's penguin doc on the march
16-May-2013EXCLUSIVE: Korean sales company M-Line Distribution has sold penguin documentary Pengi And Sommi to Germany's KSM and Motion Pictures for Spain.
Shochiku unveils Yamada's House
16-May-2013Japanese studio Shochiku is introducing new titles from veteran filmmaker Yoji Yamada and A Chorus Of Angels director Junji Sakamoto here in Cannes.
Donnie Yen to star in EMP's Best
15-May-2013Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is producing $25m action thriller Last Of The Best, starring Donnie Yen and Wang Baoqiang.
Buyers warm to Edko's Firestorm
15-May-2013Hong Kong's Edko Films has sealed a slew of Asia Pacific deals on $20m Andy Lau vehicle Firestorm, which is currently in production.
Doha appoints Suleiman as artistic advisor
15-May-2013Doha Film Institute (DFI) has appointed renowned Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman to the post of artistic advisor.
Finecut unwraps Moebius, Fake
15-May-2013Seoul-based sales company Finecut is unveiling four new projects in Cannes, including the next feature from Kim Ki-duk, entitled Moebius.
Hong Kong's Pegasus ramps up slate
15-May-2013Hong Kong-based Pegasus Motion Pictures is unveiling four new features as it ramps up production under company founder Raymond Wong and CEO John Chong.
Showbox clinches French deal on Hwayi
15-May-2013Korea's Showbox/Mediaplex has clinched a pre-sale on action thriller Hwayi, which has gone to Wild Side Films for French-speaking Europe.
Woo to make Crossing in two parts
15-May-2013Beijing Galloping Horse (BGH) has announced that John Woo's upcoming Chinese-language romantic epic has been titled The Crossing and will be made as a two-part feature.
Trio sets Taiwan Ablaze
14-May-2013Former Edko Films' sales chief June Wu has launched a Taiwan-based sales company, Ablaze Image, which has picked up Jay Chou's kung-fu musical The Rooftop.
It's Me flies to Taiwan's Sky Digi
14-May-2013Japan's Pictures Dept has closed an early deal at Cannes, selling Satoshi Miki's It's Me, It's Me to Taiwan's Sky Digi Entertainment.
Fortissimo picks up Hartley's Ned Rifle
14-May-2013Fortissimo Films has picked up global sales rights to Hal Hartley's upcoming Ned Rifle, set to star Gemma Arterton, Parker Posey and Thomas J Ryan.
Doha expands grants programme
13-May-2013The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has expanded its grants programme to include first and second-time filmmakers from outside the Middle East.
Odin's Eye picks up Fish N Chips
10-May-2013Australian sales company Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has picked up worldwide rights to Canadian animated feature Fish N Chips: The Movie.
Thai Pitch Event returns to Cannes
8-May-2013Thailand's Ministry of Culture has selected four projects to take part in a pitching initiative at Cannes with international producers and investors.
Japan's Marza fires up Robodog
7-May-2013Japanese CG animation house Marza Animation Planet, owned by Sega Sammy Holdings, has started pre-production on its first original animated feature Robodog.
MK2 picks up Touch of Sin
29-Apr-2013France's MK2 has picked up international rights to Jia Zhangke's A Touch Of Sin screening in Cannes competition.
Hooper to head Shanghai jury
26-Apr-2013UK director Tom Hooper has been appointed jury president for the Golden Goblet Award at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (June 15-23).
Woo's Flying Tigers set for takeoff
23-Apr-2013Netherlands-based Cyrte Investments and China Film Group are backing John Woo's long-gestating Flying Tigers, which is set to shoot next year as two-part feature film and six-hour television series.
Pitof, Lang board Dragon Angel
22-Apr-2013EXCLUSIVE: French-American director Pitof (Catwoman) and US actor Stephen Lang (Avatar) have signed on to Chinese-German family adventure film The Dragon Angel.
Radical, Le Vision form joint venture
22-Apr-2013Radical Studios has formed a joint venture with China's Le Vision Pictures to produce "international commercial films with Chinese elements".
Tee quits Malaysia film festival
15-Apr-2013Malaysian born/Hong Kong-based film producer and film festival consultant, Lorna Tee, has resigned as the co-festival director of the International Film Festival Malaysia (IFFM).
Andhare to head Viacom18 film unit
15-Apr-2013Ajit Andhare has been appointed as chief operating officer of India's Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
Media Asia taking Yen titles to Cannes
15-Apr-2013Hong Kong's Media Asia has added two titles starring Donnie Yen to its Cannes slate – Soi Cheang's Enter the Master and Dragon City, to be directed by Derek Kwok.
Barlow launches US distribution outfit
15-Apr-2013Former China Lion executive Milt Barlow has launched a North American distribution outfit, Asia Releasing, which will release Chinese production One Mile Above (Kora) on June 7.
Cold War sweeps Hong Kong Film Awards
15-Apr-2013Edko Films' Cold War swept the Hong Kong Film Awards on Saturday night, winning nine prizes including best picture.
FIP to produce Giddens Ko's Kung Fu
10-Apr-2013Fox International Productions (FIP) is backing Kung Fu, the second film from Taiwanese filmmaker Giddens Ko, who directed box office hit You Are The Apple Of My Eye.
Reliance MediaWorks taps Murphy as CCO
10-Apr-2013India's Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) has appointed VFX supervisor George Murphy as chief creative officer.
In Bloom snares Firebird award at HKIFF
3-Apr-2013Georgian production In Bloom, co-directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Gross, was presented with the Firebird Award in the Young Cinema Competition at the close of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) last night.
Paramount partners with China on Transformers 4
3-Apr-2013Paramount Pictures has entered into a "co-operation agreement" with CCTV's China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises on the production of Transformers 4 in China.
Viacom18 unveils regional slate
25-Mar-2013India's Viacom18 Motion Pictures is entering regional film production with a slate of movies in five Indian languages.
Galloping Horse picks up the pace
25-Mar-2013The purchase of the digital-effects studio behind the Transformers franchise put Beijing Galloping Horse on Western radars. Now its latest hook up — with John Woo — is set to take the company to the next level. Liz Shackleton reports
China: Enlight Pictures
25-Mar-2013Low-budget comedy Lost In Thailand has become the biggest local film ever in China and the producers, Enlight Pictures, are taking the lessons of its success to heart. Liz Shackleton reports
China: High cost of admissions
25-Mar-2013Explosive growth in screen numbers is driving up box-office revenues in China, but such rapid expansion could present risks for some exhibitors. Liz Shackleton reports
HKIFFS explains HAF award error
23-Mar-2013The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has confirmed that A Happy Wish is the winner of this year's HAF Script Development Fund Award.
HAF honours Doomsday, Barber's Tales
21-Mar-2013Ho Hong's Doomsday·Party took the HAF Award for a project originating in Hong Kong, while Barber's Tales, to be directed by the Philippines' Jun Robles Lana, took the HAF Award for a project originating outside Hong Kong.
AID forms jv with Prime Focus
21-Mar-2013Hong Kong-based private equity firm AID Partners Capital is partnering with post-production house Prime Focus on a joint venture in China.
HAF/Fox jury talk talent development
20-Mar-2013The jury of the HAF/Fox Chinese Film Development Award shared their thoughts on the development of the Chinese film industry at a press briefing yesterday.
Hopewell to open nine-screen multiplex
20-Mar-2013Hong Kong property giant Hopewell Holdings unveiled details of its planned Kowloon Bay multiplex at a launch party last night.
Mak lines up psycho thriller with Miike
20-Mar-2013EXCLUSIVE: Following his collaboration with Takashi Shimizu on Rigor Mortis, Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Juno Mak has revealed that he is working with another iconic Japanese filmmaker, Takashi Miike, on his next project.
Salon's First Cuts unveils micro movie slate
20-Mar-2013Hong Kong's Salon Films has unveiled the first three micro movies to receive funding through its Asia First Cuts initiative, which was launched at Filmart last year.
Mystery triumphs at Asian Film Awards
19-Mar-2013Lou Ye's Mystery scooped best film and two other prizes at the Asian Film Awards last night, while Japan's Takeshi Kitano took best director for Outrage Beyond.
All Rights checks into Doomsday Party
19-Mar-2013Paris and Hong Kong-based sales agent All Rights Entertainment (ARE) is handling international sales outside Asia on Doomsday Party, which has been selected for this year's HAF.
Catapooolt springs into Asian crowdfunding
19-Mar-2013Mumbai-based crowdfunding platform Catapooolt is launching in Hong Kong this week as an official partner of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Edko unleashes Tales From The Dark
19-Mar-2013Edko Films unveiled two-part horror feature Tales From The Dark at Filmart yesterday, comprising six segments adapted from stories written by best-selling Hong Kong author Lilian Lee.
Golden Network sells Vajra to Germany's Splendid
19-Mar-2013Hong Kong-based sales agent Golden Network Asia has sold martial arts drama The Wrath Of Vajra to Germany's Splendid Film.
Star Chinese Movies gets local with Emperor
19-Mar-2013Star Chinese Movies (SCM) is partnering with Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) to launch a local-language production initiative, Go Local!, starting with five movies produced by Hong Kong actor-producer Chapman To.
Taiwan Mobile adds Shaw Brothers library
18-Mar-2013Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed a multi-year distribution deal with Taiwan Mobile for titles from its Shaw Brothers library.
John Woo epic heads Galloping Horse slate
18-Mar-2013EXCLUSIVE: China's Beijing Galloping Horse Film Co (BGH) is unveiling an ambitious new production slate at Filmart, headed by John Woo's next film as director, which is scheduled to start shooting in mid-May.
HanWay signs Sohu VoD deal
18-Mar-2013EXCLUSIVE: HanWay Film's London-based specialist film division HanWay Select has signed a subscription VoD deal with Sohu Video, the VoD arm of Chinese internet giant sohu.com.
Media Asia moves into Campus
18-Mar-2013EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong's Media Asia Films has picked up international rights (excluding Taiwan) to comedy Campus Confidential, produced by Taiwan's Su Chao-pin and Jimmy Huang.
Brightstar's Deathday Party shooting in Yunnan
15-Mar-2013China's Brightstar Cinema has started production on its first feature, The Deathday Party, starring Archie Kao, Anita Yuen and Naijin Xiong.
Sagoo joins Celestial Tiger
14-Mar-2013Hong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has appointed Rupi Sagoo as director of content sales and distribution for Japan and Korea.
Asian Side Of The Doc unveils project line-up
14-Mar-2013Asian Side Of The Doc (March 19-22), which takes place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time this year, has unveiled the projects that have been selected for this year's edition.
Fortissimo acquires Rigor Mortis
13-Mar-2013Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside Hong Kong and China to Juno Mak's directorial debut Rigor Mortis.
EMP, UA partner for Chinese multiplexes
13-Mar-2013Hong Kong studio Emperor Motion Pictures is joining forces with Hong Kong-based exhibitor UA Cinemas to invest in and operate cinemas in mainland China.
Edko whips up Firestorm
5-Mar-2013Hong Kong's Edko Films will be unleashing a new production slate at the upcoming Hong Kong Filmart (March 18-21), headed by action title Firestorm, starring Andy Lau.
Wong Kar Wai masterclass at HKIFF
1-Mar-2013The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has confirmed that Wong Kar Wai will conduct the masterclass at this year's edition of the festival (March 17-April 2).
Hong Kong Filmart expecting 8% growth
27-Feb-2013Hong Kong's contents market Filmart has signed up nearly 700 exhibitors and 6,000 visitors for this year's edition (March 18-21), an increase of around 8% on last year's event.
Hong Kong to open with Final Fight
21-Feb-2013Herman Yau's Ip Man - The Final Fight will open this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 17-April 2), while Closed Curtain directed by Jafar Panahi and Kamboziya Partovi will close the event.
Journey rules China box office
20-Feb-2013Stephen Chow's Journey To The West: Conquering The Demons smashed records in China over the Chinese New Year holiday period, grossing $93.5m (RMB583m) in its opening week.
Milt Barlow to quit China Lion
19-Feb-2013Milt Barlow, CEO and founding shareholder of LA-based distributor China Lion Entertainment, is to exit the company as CEO.
Shochiku plans Ozu 110th anniversary project
12-Feb-2013Following its success with the Kinoshita centennial initiative, Japanese studio Shochiku is planning a major restoration and screening project to market the 110th anniversary of the birth of Yasujiro Ozu.
Guillotines flies to Turkey, Middle East
11-Feb-2013Hong Kong-based We Distribution has sold Andrew Lau's action thriller The Guillotines to Horizon International for Turkey and WEG for the Middle East.
Toei sells Admiral to France, Russia
11-Feb-2013Japanese studio Toei has sold big-budget war epic Admiral Yamamoto to France (Filmedia) and Russia and CIS (Cinema Prestige).
CJ nabs Grandmaster
10-Feb-2013EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has sold Wong Kar Wai's Berlinale opener The Grandmaster to Korea's CJ E&M.
Indiestory sells King of Pigs to US, Germany
10-Feb-2013Korean sales company Indiestory has sold animated feature The King Of Pigs to US distributor Fuzzy California and Film Verleih Gruppe for German-speaking territories.
Golden Network takes on Wrath Of Vajra
9-Feb-2013Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to martial arts drama The Wrath Of Vajra, directed by Law Wing-cheong.
Odin's Eye gets Territorial with Wolf Creek
9-Feb-2013Odin's Eye Productions (OEP) is partnering with Wolf Creek Pictures to produce hybrid genre film Territorial, to be directed by Matthew Holmes.
Pegasus seals output deals with Taiwan, Malaysia
9-Feb-2013Hong Kong's Pegasus Motion Pictures has signed two-year output deals with two separate Asian distributors: Cai Chang International in Taiwan and Lotus Five Star in Malaysia.
Fortissimo picks up Linsanity
8-Feb-2013Fortissimo Films has acquired all rights outside of North America and China to feature documentary, Linsanity, which recently screened at Sundance.
Gaga, Wild Bunch adopt Kore-eda's Father
8-Feb-2013EXCLUSIVE: Japan's Gaga Corporation and Wild Bunch are jointly handling sales on Hirokazu Kore-eda's Like Father, Like Son, marking the second time they've collaborated on one of the director's films.
9ers sells Wedding Scandal, 90 Minutes to Japan
8-Feb-2013Korean sales company 9ers Entertainment has clinched Japanese deals on romantic comedy Wedding Scandal and erotic thriller 90 Minutes.
Shochiku unwraps Kinoshita biopic
8-Feb-2013Japanese studio Shochiku is launching a biopic of Keisuke Kinoshita, written and directed by Crayon Shin-chan director Keiichi Hara, at EFM.
All Rights takes on Wings, Second Coming
7-Feb-2013Paris and Hong Kong-based sales outfit All Rights Entertainment (ARE) has picked up international rights to hard-hitting Chinese drama Burned Wings and Herman Yau's The Second Coming.
CJ, Fortissimo serve up Final Recipe
7-Feb-2013EXCLUSIVE: Korea's CJ Entertainment and Fortissimo Films will be introducing Gina Kim's English-language Final Recipe, starring Michelle Yeoh, to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM).
Korea's M-Line turns on Television
7-Feb-2013EXCLUSIVE: Korea's M-Line Distribution has made another foray into non-Korean product by picking up international rights to Television, directed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa S. Farooki.
Lotte makes English-language debut with Last Knights
7-Feb-2013EXCLUSIVE: Korean studio Lotte Entertainment is co-financing and selling Asian territories on The Last Knights, starring Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman, marking its first move into English-language product.
Michelle Yeoh to be honoured at Asian Film Awards
31-Jan-2013Michelle Yeoh will receive the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at this year's Asian Film Awards, which will take place in Hong Kong on March 18.
Apichatpong, Kawase among filmmakers selected for HAF
28-Jan-2013The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has unveiled the list of 25 projects selected for its 11th edition (March 18-20), including new projects from Thailand's Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Japan's Naomi Kawase.
Raine Group forms partnership with China Media Capital
25-Jan-2013US merchant bank Raine Group has formed a strategic partnership with Chinese state-owned China Media Capital (CMC) to make joint investments across digital media, sports and entertainment.
Hong Kong's box office grows by 12%
21-Jan-2013Although now dwarfed by the mainland China market, Hong Kong's box office continues to grow; reaching $200.7m (HK$1.56bn) in 2012, a 12% increase on $177.8m (HK$1.38bn) the previous year.
CA Media acquires majority stake in Graphic India
18-Jan-2013CA Media, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, has acquired a large majority stake in comic-book and animation company Graphic India.
Mystery, Gangster head Asian Film Awards nominations
16-Jan-2013South Korea's Nameless Gangster: Rules Of The Time and Chinese director Lou Ye's Mystery top the list of nominees for this year's Asian Film Awards, with six nods apiece.
Lost In Thailand finds success at Chinese box office
21-Dec-2012Local comedy Lost In Thailand has grossed a whopping $77.8m (RMB485m) after eight days on release in China, blowing away the peak box office season's bigger budget films.
Wadjda, Inside clinch top prizes at Dubai film festival
17-Dec-2012Haifaa Al Mansour's Wadjda won both best film and best actress in the Muhr Arab feature competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), while Turkish drama Inside won best film and best actor in the Muhr AsiaAfrica competition.
Namibia mulls production incentive
15-Dec-2012The Namibian Film Commission (FC) is considering the introduction of incentives for international productions shooting in the southern African country, which is fast becoming a hot new international location.
Dubai Filmmart set for expansion
15-Dec-2012The Dubai Film Market's trading platform Filmmart wraps this weekend following a successful fifth edition with several acquisitions under negotiation and plans for expansion next year.
Reliance, Wanda Group to form joint venture
14-Dec-2012India's Reliance Group and China's Dalian Wanda Group have announced plans to create a joint venture covering real estate and multiplexes in India and the US.
AFAC shows support for dozen
14-Dec-2012The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) unveiled the 12 film projects to receive support in its latest round of funding at the close of the Dubai Film market yesterday.
Michael Apted plots Eight Months
13-Dec-2012EXCLUSIVE: UK director Michael Apted is set to direct an adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novel Eight Months on Ghazzah Street, which he plans to shoot in the Middle East.
CINELAN focuses on award finalists
13-Dec-2012New York-based short film programme CINELAN has announced the 20 finalists in its $200,000 Focus Forward Filmmaker Competition which include films about a low-cost solution to landmine clearance and a model Indian village.
Seven Stars forms joint venture with Arad Productions
12-Dec-2012Bruno Wu's Seven Stars Entertainment is forming a joint venture with US producer Avi Arad (The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man) and his company Arad Productions, to develop superhero franchise properties.
DCAA launches Emirati filmmaker project
12-Dec-2012The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (DCAA) has commissioned three Emirati filmmakers - Ali F. Mostafa, Nayla Al Khaja and Khalid Ali - to make short films for a new cultural initiative, Soul Of Dubai.
Khairy Beshara
11-Dec-2012Marking a return to feature filmmaking after 16 years, Khairy Beshara talks to Screen about experimental docu-drama Moondog.
Dubai is cast in central role
11-Dec-2012Dubai International Film Festival (Dec 9-16) is welcoming international stars alongside up-and-coming local talent in its mission to boost cinema and film-making in the region.
Pachachi wins IWC Schaffhausen filmmaker award
11-Dec-2012Maysoon Pachachi was presented with the $100,000 IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Award for her project Nothing Doing In Baghdad at a glittering ceremony at the Dubai International Film Festival last night.
Pinto, Apted, Barreto among Dubai film festival jurors
5-Dec-2012The Dubai International Film Festival has announced the juries for its Muhr competition strands, which include actress Freida Pinto, Brazilian filmmaker Bruno Barreto and UK director Michael Apted.
Lau to be Filmmaker in Focus at HKIFF
3-Dec-2012Hong Kong director Andrew Lau will be the Filmmaker in Focus at next year's edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Yash Raj Films to produce Kapur's Paani
3-Dec-2012India's Yash Raj Films has announced that it will produce Shekhar Kapur's long-gestating passion project Paani.
India's PVR Cinemas buys out Cinemax
30-Nov-2012Indian exhibitor PVR Cinemas has acquired a 69.27% stake in rival Cinemax to create India's largest cinema chain.
Life Of Pi, Sapphires to bookend Dubai film festival
26-Nov-2012Ang Lee's The Life Of Pi will open this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on December 9, while Wayne Blair's The Sapphires will close the eight-day event.
Beijing Blues, Principle sweep Golden Horse Awards
26-Nov-2012Johnnie To's Life Without Principle scooped best director, best actor and best original screenplay at the Golden Horse Awards on Saturday (Nov 24), while Gao Qunshu's Beijing Blues took best film and two technical awards.
Voice From Elsewhere, Phoring win awards at Film Bazaar
26-Nov-2012Director Vipin Vijay's A Voice From Elsewhere, a drama set against the backdrop of the Kerala backwaters, picked up the $18,000 (Rs1m) Incredible India award as Film Bazaar wrapped on Saturday (Nov 24).
India to be guest country at next edition of Cannes
25-Nov-2012India has been selected as the guest country at the next edition of the Cannes film festival, which takes place May 15-26, 2013.
Independent, Infinitum bask in Sunrise
24-Nov-2012Mumbai-based Independent Movies has finalised the financing on Film Bazaar project Sunrise (Arunoday), following a deal with India's Infinitum Productions to increase its funding for the film.
Beautiful Bay takes up Arms with Shah
23-Nov-2012UK producers Michael Ward and Colin Burrows have established a production outfit, Beautiful Bay Entertainment (BBE), which is developing an adaptation of classic play Arms And The Man with Indian actor and filmmaker Naseeruddin Shah.
Momentary Lapse Of Reason to start shooting in January
22-Nov-2012Aditya Bhattacharya will start shooting A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, an English-language remake of his 1988 cult classic Raakh, in Hyderabad in January.
Chopra's Broken Horses starts shooting with D'Onofrio
21-Nov-2012Vidhu Vinod Chopra's first English-language film, Broken Horses, has started shooting in Los Angeles with Vincent D'Onofrio [pictured], Anton Yelchin and Chris Marquette heading the cast.
India's international horizons
19-Nov-2012Now in its sixth year, Goa's Film Bazaar co-production market (Nov 21-24) has become a key plank in the National Film Development Corporation's strategy to revitalise Indian cinema. Liz Shackleton reports
Beyond Film Bazaar
19-Nov-2012With the NFDC's production initiatives steaming ahead, the government body has turned its attention to distribution and industry development. Liz Shackleton reports
China Lion to release Back To 1942 in North America
16-Nov-2012China Lion Film Distribution has announced that it will release Feng Xiaogang's Back To 1942 in the US and Canada on Nov 30, day-and-date with its mainland China release.
Making Film taps Phathanavirangoon as development head
13-Nov-2012Hong Kong filmmaker Pang Ho-cheung's Making Film Production has signed on producer and film festival programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon in the new role of development director.
DIFF unveils line-up for co-production market
9-Nov-2012The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has unveiled the 15 projects selected for this year's co-production market, Dubai Film Connection (DFC).
Yau starts shooting 3D horror as pan-Asian co-production
8-Nov-2012Hong Kong director Herman Yau has started shooting his first 3D production, suspense horror The Second Coming, as a Hong Kong-Singapore-Taiwan co-production.
Blanchett to head jury for DIFF's IWC Schaffhausen award
6-Nov-2012The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and luxury Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen have announced that Cate Blanchett will head the jury for the IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Award at this year's edition of the festival.
China prices skyrocket at AFM
5-Nov-2012Asking prices for Chinese rights to US product are going through the roof at this year's AFM, due to the influx of mainland Chinese buyers hungry for 3D action titles and star-driven films.
Star Alliance to co-produce Masked Warrior, Zombie II
4-Nov-2012Hong Kong production and sales outfit Star Alliance is gearing up to start shooting two co-productions - Monkey: The Masked Warrior with Thailand's Nakob Co and Zombie II with Taiwan's Heyshine International, Sky Films and Entertaining Power.
Toei sings with A Chorus Of Angels
3-Nov-2012Japanese studio Toei is ringing up sales on Junji Sakamoto's A Chorus Of Angels, which has gone to Hong Kong (Golden Scene) and Taiwan (Skydigi).
China's Fantawild unwraps slate of creature features
3-Nov-2012Chinese theme park giant and content producer Fantawild is attending AFM for the first time this year with a slate of creature features and VFX-driven pictures.
Chow Yun-fat bluffs for Wong Jing
3-Nov-2012Chow Yun-fat is attached to star in gambling-themed action drama Bluffing, which is being produced by Wong Jing's Hong Kong-based Mega-Vision Project Workshop.
Japan's Showgate buys into Bergdorf's
3-Nov-2012Fortissimo Films has sold Japanese rights to Matthew Miele's documentary feature Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's to Showgate Japan.
EMP, Media Asia team for Kwok's firefighting drama
3-Nov-2012Hong Kong's Media Asia has boarded Emperor Motion Pictures' As The Light Goes Out, a big-budget firefighting drama to be directed by Derek Kwok and star Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue.
India's DAR Media gains approval for film fund
2-Nov-2012Mumbai-based DAR Media has gained approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a film fund that is raising $18.5m (Rs100m) in its first round.
Growing up fast
2-Nov-2012Local films are losing ground to Hollywood imports at the Chinese box office. Liz Shackleton explores how China's production sector, still in a relatively early stage of development, is approaching the marketplace
A change of image
2-Nov-2012As a growing part of the global visual-effects industry, China offers more than low costs and outsourcing. Liz Shackleton reports
Rules of attraction
2-Nov-2012China has been emerging as an exciting international partner. But with its government putting co-productions under scrutiny, could that be about to change? Liz Shackleton reports
Yuen Wo-ping to direct action thriller Vigilantes
2-Nov-2012Renowned action choreographer Yuen Wo-ping is set to direct and produce English-language action thriller Vigilantes - The Lost Order as a co-production between China and Canada.
Showbox sells Confession of Murder
2-Nov-2012Korean's Showbox Mediaplex has sold action thriller Confession Of Murder to multiple territories, including Japan (Twin Co) and German-speaking Europe (Splendid Films).
All Rights Entertainment takes on Mumbai Cha Raja
2-Nov-2012Paris and Hong Kong-based sales company All Rights Entertainment has picked up international rights excluding India to Manjeet Singh's Mumbai Cha Raja.
AFM Hong Kong panel: Chinese audiences seek quality movies
2-Nov-2012Speakers at the co-production panel, held as part of 'Hong Kong Day' yesterday, discussed how Chinese audiences are gravitating towards films that reflect one culture rather than co-productions or 'hybrid' films.
ScreenSingapore to host world premiere of Last Tycoon
1-Nov-2012Distribution Workshop's The Last Tycoon, starring Chow Yun-fat, will receive its world premiere on the opening night of ScreenSingapore on December 4.
Mega-Vision reloads Young And Dangerous franchise
1-Nov-2012Hong Kong's Mega-Vision Pictures (MVP) is producing a remake of the popular Young And Dangerous franchise, directed by hot up-and-coming director Daniel Chan.
Universal salutes Saving General Yang
1-Nov-2012Hong Kong's Pegasus Motion Pictures has signed a string of sales on Ronny Yu's Saving General Yang, including a deal with Universal Pictures International Entertainment for the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Yen to star in Emperor's Enter The Master
1-Nov-2012Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is currently scouting overseas locations for $22m martial arts blockbuster Enter The Master, which is scheduled to start shooting in January 2013.
US-China Summit talks co-production
1-Nov-2012US producers need more time to figure out China's co-production rules, but opportunities remain, was the major message at the US-China Film Summit held at UCLA on Tuesday (Oct 30).
Huayi takes Control with Kenneth Bi project
31-Oct-2012Beijing-based Huayi Brothers is producing $12m action thriller Control, directed by Hong Kong's Kenneth Bi and starring Daniel Wu and Yao Chen.
Dubai film festival unveils Muhr AsiaAfrica titles
30-Oct-2012The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has unveiled the first batch of titles that will compete for its Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards, including Brillante Mendoza's Thy Womb and Wang Bing's award-winning documentary San Zimei - Three Sisters.
Emperor launching Ip Man biopic at AFM
29-Oct-2012Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures is introducing a biopic of Wing Chun master Ip Man, to be directed by Herman Yau, at AFM.
Fox International Productions, Bona unveil production deal
26-Oct-2012The announcement follows a deal signed this May in which FIP parent company News Corp acquired a 19.9% equity stake in Bona.
Emperor to unleash Dante Lam's Demon Within
26-Oct-2012Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) will be launching sales on That Demon Within, a cop thriller from leading action director Dante Lam, at the upcoming AFM.
MacKinnon, Rahimi projects among Film Bazaar line-up
26-Oct-2012UK director Gillies MacKinnon and French-Afghan filmmaker Atiq Rahimi are among the 26 filmmakers who have had projects selected for the co-production market of this year's Film Bazaar in Goa, India.
Aqui Y Alla, Miss Lovely win top prizes at Mumbai fest
26-Oct-2012Aqui Y Alla, directed by Spain's Antonio Mendez Esparza, scooped both best film and best director in the international competition for first features at the close of the Mumbai film festival last night (Oct 25).
Mumbai film fest wraps market; talks restoration
22-Oct-2012The second edition of the Mumbai Film Mart (MFM) wrapped on Sunday with no deals announced, but participants reporting they were happy with the results. The market was held during the Mumbai Film Festival, which also raised the issue of film restoration over the weekend.
Bollywood icon Yash Chopra dies aged 80
21-Oct-2012Indian director, producer and studio head Yash Chopra died today in Mumbai where he was being treated for dengue fever. He was 80 years old.
Araf, Hidden Beauties among winners at Abu Dhabi Film Festival
20-Oct-2012Araf/Somewhere in Between, directed by Turkey's Yesim Ustaglu, won the Black Pearl Award for best narrative film at the close of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 11-20). Nouri Bouzid took best director from the Arab world for Hidden Beauties, about two Tunisian women demanding their rights during the revolution.
Zhang Yimou honoured at opening of Mumbai film festival
19-Oct-2012The 14th Mumbai film festival opened last night (Oct 18) with a screening of Silver Linings Playbook and the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou.
Mostofa S. Farooki
17-Oct-2012Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa S. Farooki's Television received a warm response when it screened as the closing film of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) last week.
Annemarie Jacir
17-Oct-2012The Palestinian filmmaker talks about the refugee stories in When I Saw You.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival: Arab filmmakers recount troubled beginnings
16-Oct-2012Five leading Arab filmmakers outlined the difficulties they experienced in launching their careers in a troubled region at an Abu Dhabi Film Festival panel on Tuesday.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival: DeSouza brings 3D motion capture to the masses
15-Oct-20123D supervisor Clyde DeSouza explained how 3D and motion capture technology - normally the preserve of Hollywood blockbusters - is becoming accessible to low-budget and indie filmmakers, during his 3D Master Class at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.
Lu Chuan
15-Oct-2012One of China's most innovative filmmakers, Lu Chuan has attempted to reinvent the Chinese historical epic with The Last Supper, which screens at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in the Narrative Competition.
Hala Alabdalla
14-Oct-2012Paris-based filmmaker Hala Alabdalla was in the middle of making her documentary, As If We Were Catching A Cobra, about cartoonists and caricature artists in Syria and Egypt, when revolution swept the region.
Manjeet Singh
14-Oct-2012The director talks about his debut feature Mumbai's King, about slum kids in India.
Global Film Initiative picks up Busan trio
14-Oct-2012The Global Film Initiative has picked up three films that screened at the recent Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for North American distribution - 111 Girls, Beijing Flickers and Shyamal Uncle Turns Off The Lights.
Sam Kadi
13-Oct-2012The Syria-born, US-based filmmaker talks about his debut feature The Citizen.
Effendee Mazlan
13-Oct-2012Malaysian husband-and-wife filmmaking team, Effendee Mazlan and Fariza Azlina Isahak, have gone against the grain of the unabashedly commercial Malay-language film industry with Songlap, a drama about the illegal trafficking of babies.
Malaysia changes dates of new market to March 2013
11-Oct-2012The Malaysian government has pushed back the dates of its planned film, TV and related contents market from November to March next year.
Distribution Workshop drives round Bends
8-Oct-2012Distribution Workshop is co-financing and has picked up international rights to Flora Lau's Bends, starring Carina Lau and Chen Kun.
Singapore's MDA appoints Koh Lin-net as CEO
1-Oct-2012Koh Lin-net has been appointed CEO of Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA), replacing Aubeck Kam who leaves the post on October 31.
Mumbai film festival unveils competition sections
25-Sep-2012The Mumbai Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its competition sections for this year's edition (Oct 18-25), including its new competition for Indian features, India Gold 2012.
Galloping Horse, Reliance join forces to buy Digital Domain
24-Sep-2012Beijing-based Galloping Horse and India's Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) have formed a joint venture to buy bankrupt US visual effects studio Digital Domain for $30.2m.
Hong Kong, Thailand, India announce Oscar submissions
24-Sep-2012Hong Kong, Thailand and India have all unveiled their entries for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
Dhoom 3 to be first Indian film presented in IMAX
21-Sep-2012India's Yash Raj Films has announced that upcoming action thriller Dhoom 3 will be the first Bollywood film to be released in the IMAX format.
Indian knight rises
20-Sep-2012Mumbai-based DAR Motion Pictures is shaking up the Indian film business with its focus on four strands of production and acquisition of major Hollywood films.
Hollywood films gain traction in India
20-Sep-2012This year, US studios have scored big in the idiosyncratic and fragmented territory with films such as The Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man.
Philippines selects BWAKAW as Oscar submission
18-Sep-2012The Film Academy of the Philippines has selected BWAKAW as the country's entry to the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards.
CTE expands distribution deal with Lionsgate
17-Sep-2012Hong Kong-based Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has expanded its distribution deal with Lionsgate to include Japan and Korea, in addition to China and South-East Asia.
Huayi to release seven additional films in IMAX format
13-Sep-2012Beijing-based Huayi Brothers is expanding its relationship with IMAX by presenting seven additional films in the immersive format.
Arrow pierces Soi Cheang's Motorway; packages up 7 Boxes
12-Sep-2012Hong Kong's Media Asia Films has sold Soi Cheang's action title Motorway to Arrow Films for the UK and Ireland.
DAR, Mobile dial up deal for Phone Thief
9-Sep-2012Pia Sukanya's comedy to star Poorna Jagannathan and Vir Das [pictured].
Anand Gandhi, Ship of Theseus
6-Sep-2012Screen talks to Mumbai-based filmmaker Anand Gandhi whose debut feature, Ship Of Theseus, will receive its world premiere in Toronto.
Fortissimo takes on Jet Tone's Touch Of The Light
30-Aug-2012Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside of Taiwan, Hong Kong and China to award-winning Taiwanese drama Touch Of The Light, produced by Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone Films.
Cambodia makes first Oscars submission in 18 years
28-Aug-2012Cambodia has submitted Chhay Bora's Lost Loves to the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards, marking the first time in 18 years that the country has sent a film to the Oscars.
Gao takes board position at Bona Film Group
24-Aug-2012China's Bona Film Group has appointed News Corp senior vice president and CEO of News Corps' China investments, Jack Gao, to its board of directors.
DKR, Amazing Spider-Man to open on same date in China
23-Aug-2012IMAX Corporation has announced that both The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man will be released in its threates in China on August 27.
Indonesia spreads its wings
22-Aug-2012Currently one of Asia's creative hotspots, Indonesia is sending more films overseas and its local film industry could soon be in line for government support.
Expendables 2 to receive 800-screen release in India
21-Aug-2012India's Multivision Multimedia will release The Expendables 2 on 800 screens this weekend (Aug 24), a move that highlights the trend towards wider releases and almost day-and-date releases for US films in India.
Ek Tha Tiger scores record-breaking opening weekend
21-Aug-2012Yash Raj Films' Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan, has grossed $18m (Rs1bn) on its opening five-day weekend, becoming the fastest Hindi film to reach this milestone.
Fortissimo signs first direct deal with Netflix
16-Aug-2012Fortissimo Films has signed a a multi-year streaming deal with Netflix, covering more than 60 titles, which will be available in to Netflix members in the US starting in September.
Fortissimo picks up Filipino drama BWAKAW
14-Aug-2012Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights to comedy drama BWAKAW, directed by the Philippines' Jun Robles Lana, which recently won three awards at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
Titanic 3D to receive theatrical release in Myanmar
14-Aug-2012Titanic 3D will become the first US studio film to receive a theatrical release in Myanmar in decades, following a licensing deal between Twentieth Century Fox and Myanmar's Mingalar Company
Celestial seals iTunes deal; Pollack departs
10-Aug-2012Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has become one of the first local studios to make films available on Apple's iTunes Store.
Pray For Japan seals deal with OEE, Tugg, Bayview
9-Aug-2012Australian sales agency Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has picked up worldwide rights to documentary Pray For Japan, directed by filmmaker and manga publisher Stu Levy.
Reliance MediaWorks splits into two businesses
7-Aug-2012Indian facilities and exhibition powerhouse, Reliance MediaWorks (RMW), is restructuring into two separate businesses to be run by two separate CEOs.
Inside, B.A. Pass among winners at Osian's Cinefan
6-Aug-2012Delhi-based festival is shaping up to be a useful mid-year platform for India's burgeoning indie film scene.
Delhi discusses future as filmmaking centre
3-Aug-2012Indian filmmakers, industry execs and government officials gathered in Delhi during the on-going Osian's Cinefan festival to discuss the future of the Indian capital as a filmmaking hub.
India's PVR Cinemas sells 10% stake to L Capital
3-Aug-2012Indian exhibitor PVR Cinemas is set to receive a $19.3m cash injection after selling a 10% stake to L Capital Asia, a private equity fund backed by French luxury goods manufacturer Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH).
Beijing court sentences VoD execs to four years in prison
3-Aug-2012A Beijing court has handed out China's stiffest ever penalties for online streaming of copyright infringing content to six executives of video-on-demand (VoD) website OpenV.com.
Hyde Park takes international rights to Kirk Wong's SIX
30-Jul-2012Hyde Park International has boarded Kirk Wong's upcoming action thriller SIX as executive producer and will handle worldwide sales excluding Greater China.
Godfrey Gao joins cast of Mortal Instruments
20-Jul-2012Taiwanese-Canadian actor Godfrey Gao has been cast as 800-year-old warlock Magnus Bane in the feature adaptation of The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones, produced by Constantin Film and Unique Pictures.
Mumbai film fest moves to new venue, adds competition
18-Jul-2012The Mumbai Film Festival (Oct 18-25) has announced a raft of developments, including a move to the south of the city and a new competition section for Indian films.
Hong Kong films to gain greater access to Guangdong
18-Jul-2012The Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) has introduced a package of measures to support Hong Kong films, including greater access to the Cantonese-speaking market in neighbouring Guangdong Province.
Production wraps on Gilbert's A Long Way From Home
17-Jul-2012Production has wrapped on Virginia Gilbert's A Long Way From Home, a UK-France co-production starring James Fox and Brenda Fricker.
Asura, Chitrangada to bookend revived Osian's Cinefan
16-Jul-2012Japanese filmmaker Keiichi Sato's Asura, about a young boy abandoned following a natural disaster, will open this year's Osian's Cinefan (July 27-August 5), while Rituparno Ghosh's Chitrangada will close the ten-day event.
Chan starts work on American Dreams
16-Jul-2012Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Ho-sun Chan has started shooting his next directorial project following Wu Xia, a drama entitled American Dreams In China.
Hong Kong box office soars by 19% in first half of 2012
6-Jul-2012Hong Kong's box office increased by 19% to $97.22m (HK$753.97m) in the first half of 2012, compared to $81.65m (HK$633.19m) in the first half of last year.
Revenue from shoots in Thailand surpasses 2011 total
4-Jul-2012The Thailand Film Office (TFO) has reported that revenue from all foreign productions shooting in Thailand has reached $46.5m in the first five months of 2012, which is a 17.5% increase over revenues for the whole of last year
China faces up to Hollywood competition
27-Jun-2012There was much hand-wringing at last week's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) about how local films are suffering following the widening of China's import quotas for foreign films.
Star Chinese Movies boards Wedding Diary sequel
21-Jun-2012Star Chinese Movies (SCM) will co-finance the highly-anticipated sequel to Singapore-Malaysian box office hit The Wedding Diary, directed by Malaysia's Adrian Teh.
Jung appointed as head of CJ E&M's film division
21-Jun-2012Korean giant CJ E&M Corporation has appointed former Showbox/Mediaplex executive Tae-sung Jung as head of the film division.
Sony to increase stake in India's MSM
15-Jun-2012Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is set to acquire a further 32% of shares in Indian TV group Multi Screen Media (MSM) in a deal valued at $271m.
IMAX signs first deal with China's Bona Film Group
15-Jun-2012IMAX Corporation has reached an agreement with Nongken Bona Film Investment Co, a subsidiary of Beijing-based Bona Film Group, to open an IMAX theatre in Tianjin.
Indonesian film business generates $845m in revenue
14-Jun-2012The Indonesian film and TV industry contributed $845.1m to the country's economy in 2010 according to a study presented by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
PiFan's NAFF market to turn spotlight on Indonesia
11-Jun-2012This year's Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF), a projects market held as part of Korea's Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan), will feature a spotlight on Indonesian projects.
China's new global strategy
7-Jun-2012Liz Shackleton analyses the rapidly changing international strategies of China's biggest players, and looks at the hottest US-China collaborations in the works.
Tom DeSanto
7-Jun-2012A key producer on the Transformers and X-Men franchises, Tom DeSanto is now developing Gods, a 3D trilogy based on a Chinese classic, with Beijing-based Yi Shang Media.
Avengers becomes fourth biggest US film in India
29-May-2012The Avengers is now the fourth highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in India, according to distributor Disney UTV.
Finecut seals further deals on In Another Country
25-May-2012Seoul-based sales company Finecut has sold Hong Sang-soo's Cannes competition In Another Country to Spain (Golem Distribucion) and Japan (Bitters End).
Ashim Ahluwalia
24-May-2012Ashim Ahuwalia talks about making his first fiction feature Miss Lovely, which screened in Un Certain Regard in Cannes.
Hong Kong's Sundream eats up Dead Sushi
24-May-2012Japan's Office Walker has sold Noboru Iguchi's Dead Sushi to Hong Kong's Sundream Motion Pictures.
Klockworx drives off with Media Asia's Motorway
23-May-2012Hong Kong's Media Asia has sold Soi Cheang's upcoming action title Motorway to Klockworx for Japan.
Isn't Anyone Alive? sells to the UK's Third Window
23-May-2012The UK's Third Window Films has snapped up Isn't Anyone Alive?, directed by Gakuryu Ishii, which is being handled internationally by Japan's Phantom Film Co.
DAR gets ugly with Kashyap, Phantom
23-May-2012India's DAR Motion Pictures is partnering with Phantom Films to produce Ugly, the next project from Anurag Kashyap, whose Gangs Of Wasseypur is screening in Directors Fortnight.
Endorphine, Augustus wake up for Sunrise
23-May-2012EXCLUSIVE: Germany's Endorphine Production and Dutch production company Augustus Film have boarded Indian filmmaker Partho Sen-Gupta's Sunrise (Arunoday), alongside India's Independent Movies and the National Film Development Corp (NFDC).
Showbox sells Thieves, Nameless Gangster
22-May-2012Korea's Showbox has scored further sales on heist action thriller The Thieves and recent hit Nameless Gangster: Rules Of The Time.
Bitter Ends picks up Karakara for Japan
22-May-2012Japanese distributor Bitters End has picked up all rights to Canada-Japan co-production Karakara, directed by Claude Gagnon.
Ad Vitam charmed by Fortissimo's Miss Lovely
22-May-2012Ad Vitam has snapped up French rights to Un Certain Regard title Miss Lovely, directed by India's Ashim Ahluwalia, from Fortissimo Films.
Sahamongkol's erotic Jan Dara sparks buying frenzy
22-May-2012Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm International has sparked bidding wars across Asia with its erotic drama Jan Dara, which has already sold to five territories during Cannes.
MVP's Naked Soldier storms into France
22-May-2012Hong Kong's Mega-Vision Project (MVP) has sold Marco Mak's action title Naked Soldier to a slew of territories including France, where it was jointly acquired by AB Groupe and AAA.
Fortissimo picks up Van Warmerdam's Camiel Borgman
22-May-2012EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside Benelux to Dutch filmmaker Alex van Warmerdam's Camiel Borgman.
Digital Domain to open studio in Abu Dhabi
21-May-2012US-based Digital Domain Media Group (DDMG) is collaborating with twofour54 to establish a media school and purpose-built studio in Abu Dhabi, with the aim of driving development of the production industry in the Middle East.
Korea's Daisy & Cinergy cues up Cannes duo
21-May-2012Korea's Daisy & Cinergy is producing and selling two upcoming projects from Im Sang-soo, whose The Taste Of Money is screening in competition, and Hur Jin-ho, whose Dangerous Liaisons has been selected for Directors' Fortnight.
Shochiku plans global Kinoshita retrospective
21-May-2012Japanese studio Shochiku is planning a ten-city retrospective to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Keisuke Kinoshita, whose digitally restored The Ballad Of Narayama is screening in Cannes Classics.
Universal slayed by Fortissimo's Killing
21-May-2012Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) has picked up a slew of territories, including the UK and France, to Chinese-Mongolian epic An End To Killing from Fortissimo Films.
Eurimages to hold meeting at Dubai film festival
20-May-2012European funding body Eurimages will hold a board meeting in Dubai during this year's edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which runs December 9-16.
Chicorel launches Chinese banner under Shoreline
20-May-2012Taipei-based producer and sales agent Steve Chicorel is launching a banner under Shoreline Entertainment, Asia Bridge, to handle international sales of Chinese films.
Buyers wake up for Five Star's 3AM
20-May-2012Thailand's Five Star Production is lining up a second 3D horror, 3AM, following the Asian box office success of its first such production, Dark Flight 3D.
DFI unveils first funding round of 2012
20-May-2012The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has unveiled the 23 features, documentaries and short films that will receive funding as part of its 2012 grants programme.
Film Base Berlin turns lens on Cambodia
20-May-2012German production house Film Base Berlin is developing a Cambodia-themed drama Game Park, to be directed by French-Cambodian filmmaker Vanessa Ly.
Rabarts to head development for India's NFDC
20-May-2012Marten Rabarts, currently artistic director of Binger Filmlab, will step down at the end of May to take up the role of head of development with India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
Malaysia to launch international festival
19-May-2012Malaysia's National Film Development Corp (FINAS) is launching a film festival and contents market to be held in Kuala Lumpur in November.
Bae launches Tokyo production, distribution outfit
19-May-2012Former Stylejam executive Soojun Bae has launched a Tokyo-based production and distribution outfit, Synca Creations.
DIFF partners with Lincoln Center for Arab showcase
19-May-2012The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is partnering with the Film Society of New York's Lincoln Center to showcase Arab cinema in a special DIFF Focus (August 24-30).
Abu Dhabi launches 30% production rebate
19-May-2012EXCLUSIVE: Abu Dhabi's twofour54 and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission are launching a production rebate from September 1, marking the first major incentive scheme in the Middle East.
Metrodome, AB slayed by Guillotines
19-May-2012Hong Kong-based We Distribution has sealed further deals on Andrew Lau's action thriller The Guillotines, which has gone to the UK (Metrodome), French-speaking Europe (AB Droits Audiovisuels), Italy (Minerva Pictures) and India (WEG).
Bona Film Group boosts credit facility to $80m
19-May-2012China's Bona Film Group has increased its revolving credit facility with Bank of Beijing from $15.8m (RMB100m) to $79m (RMB500m), which it will use over the next two years for content production.
Pictures Dept picks up Aoyama project
19-May-2012Japanese production and sales outfit Pictures Dept has picked up worldwide rights to Shinji Aoyama's upcoming adaptation of Shinya Tanaka's award-winning novel Dog Eat Dog (Tomogui).
ScreenSingapore appoints Asian board members
18-May-2012ScreenSingapore, has appointed six new Asian members to its board as the event moves to strengthen its Asian focus.
Wu's Seven Stars to finance Killer remake
18-May-2012Bruno Wu's Seven Stars Film Studios (SSFS) has agreed to finance John Woo and Terence Chang's English-language remake of iconic Hong Kong action film The Killer.
Yash Raj taps Saleem for Y-Films comedy
18-May-2012India's Yash Raj Films, which is making its Cannes debut this year, has started production on the third film under its Y-Films banner, comedy Mere Dad Ki Maruti, starring Saqib Saleem.
Odin's Eye picks up controversial Comedy
18-May-2012Sydney-based sales agent Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has secured exclusive rights to writer-director Rick Alverson's The Comedy in all territories outside of North America.
We Distribution reveals Lam's Beauty
18-May-2012Hong Kong-based We Distribution is unveiling romantic comedy, The Truth Of Beauty, produced by Peter Ho-sun Chan and directed by Aubrey Lam.
Birch Tree, Astro Shaw team for martial arts slate
18-May-2012Malaysia's Astro Shaw and US-based sales agent Birch Tree Entertainment are joining forces to produce and distribute a slate of martial arts action films.
China Film to roll out giant screen technology
18-May-2012China Film Group Corporation has announced that it will start rolling out its China Film Giant Screen (CFGS) technology this year, starting with 15 screens in cinemas in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and several other Chinese cities.
Hong Kong's Pegasus to produce Ip Man 3D
18-May-2012Hong Kong's Pegasus Motion Pictures is introducing the third part of its hit Ip Man franchise in Cannes – the most ambitious installment yet which the company is planning to shoot in 3D.
Mirovision boards $25m animation Empire Of The Ants
17-May-2012Seoul-based production and sales outfit Mirovision has picked up international rights to $25m stereoscopic 3D CGI production Empire Of The Ants, which is an adaptation of French author Bernard Werber's novel Les Fourmis.
M-Line's Doomsday arrives in US, Germany
17-May-2012Korea's M-Line Distribution has sold its high-concept sci-fi drama Doomsday Book to Well Go USA for North America and Splendid for Benelux and Germany.
Tianjin's Rabbit hops to North America
17-May-2012Grindstone Entertainment has picked up North American rights to hit animated feature Legend Of A Rabbit from China's Tianjin Film Studio.
Koo, Lau, Cheung join Universe's Cartel War
17-May-2012Hong Kong's Universe Films has unveiled the cast for Benny Chan's upcoming action film The Cartel War, which will star Louis Koo, Lau Ching Wan and Nick Cheung.
Melbourne film festival to open with Sapphires
16-May-2012The Melbourne International Film Festival has announced that The Sapphires has been selected as the opening film of this year's edition of the festival which runs August 2-19.
Woo to direct remake of Nikkatsu's Beast
16-May-2012John Woo is set to direct and produce gangster drama Day Of The Beast, an English-language remake of Seijin Suzuki's 1963 classic Youth Of The Beast.
Finecut scares up The Profane
16-May-2012EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Finecut is teaming with the UK's Rook Films and India's Reel Illusion Films to co-produce Indian horror title The Profane, written and directed by Sidharth Srinivasan.
Fortissimo sails into Sunset with Terence Davies
16-May-2012EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to Terence Davies' Sunset Song, which has secured Peter Mullan and Agyness Deyn to head the cast.
108 Media steppes into epic Myn Bala
16-May-2012Toronto-based sales and distribution outfit 108 Media has picked up international rights to Kazakh epic Myn Bala: Warriors Of The Steppe and will commence sales in Cannes.
Asian buyers click with Showbox horror
16-May-2012Korean studio Showbox has pre-sold horror title Don't Click to a slew of Asian distributors including Barkarat Cineleisure Group for China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
CJ Soars with broad set of sales
16-May-2012CJ Entertainment has unveiled a raft of sales on its two upcoming high-concept action pictures, Soar Into The Sun and The Tower, and K-pop documentary I Am: SM Town Live.
News Corp acquires 19.9% stake in Bona Film Group
14-May-2012News Corporation is acquiring a 19.9% equity stake in Chinese studio Bona Film Group, directly from the studio's founder and chairman Yu Dong.
Delhi Belly to receive mainstream release in Hong Kong
9-May-2012UTV Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions' Delhi Belly is receiving a mainstream theatrical release in Hong Kong through the UA Cinemas circuit.
Lotte picks up worldwide rights to Code Name: Jackal
8-May-2012Korea's Lotte Entertainment has picked up worldwide rights to Code Name: Jackal (working title), starring Jaejoong from Korean pop group JYJ.
Chong steps down as CEO of Media Asia
6-May-2012John Chong has stepped down as CEO of Hong Kong-based Media Asia Group, becoming the last of the seven original founders to leave the company.
Singapore launches grant for new talent
6-May-2012The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has launched a New Talent Feature Grant, replacing its existing New Feature Film Fund, which was based on co-investment.
Shanghai to receive world premiere at IIFA Weekend
5-May-2012Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai has been selected as the IIFA World Premiere at this year's Videocon IIFA Weekend, which is taking place in Singapore (June 7-9).
Celestial appoints Yim as China distribution chief
2-May-2012Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has appointed Annie Yim as director of distribution for the Greater China region.
Laddaland, Headshot take top honours at Thai Film Awards
30-Apr-2012Horror thriller Laddaland and Pen-ek Ratanaruang's Headshot were the big winners at the Supannahong Awards, also known as the Thai Film Awards, which took place in Bangkok last night (April 29).
Eros picks up Indian rights to Peddlers
30-Apr-2012India's Eros International has acquired Indian rights to Peddlers, produced by Anurag Kashyap Films and Sikhya Entertainment, which has been selected for Cannes Critics' Week.
Wu's Seven Stars to build Chinawood outside Tianjin
30-Apr-2012Bruno Wu's Seven Stars Entertainment is working with the government of the Binhai New Area, Tianjin, to establish a film and media hub, "Chinawood Global Services Base".
Expanded Beijing Film Market wraps
27-Apr-2012The second Beijing Film Market (April 24-26) wrapped on Thursday after three days of increased participation and business, although delegates agreed that it remains a mostly domestic Chinese event.
APSA renews film fund, appoints first jury member
26-Apr-2012The Asia Pacific Screen Academy (APSA) and Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia Pacific have announced the launch of the third consecutive MPA APSA Academy Film Fund in support of the region's filmmakers.
Bollywood IIFAs to be held in Singapore in June
25-Apr-2012The International Indian Film Academy (IFFA) has announced that this year's IIFA Weekend and Awards will be held in Singapore from June 7-9.
Cameron, Gianopulos address Beijing film fest
24-Apr-2012James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman Jim Gianopulos were among the heavyweights who spoke at the Beijing International Film Festival (BIFF) today about co-production and China's growing role in the international film business.
Showbox, Huayi Brothers join forces for Mr. Go 3D
19-Apr-2012Korea's Showbox/Mediaplex has entered into an investment and distribution partnership with Chinese studio Huayi Brothers for its upcoming sports action drama Mr. Go 3D.
Perfect Stranger wins Celestial's screenplay competition
16-Apr-2012Tian Li's re-interpretation of Love With The Perfect Stranger has won the Shaw Brothers remake screenplay competition, launched by Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures in conjunction with the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) and Youth Film Studio (YFS).
A Simple Life sweeps Hong Kong Film Awards
16-Apr-2012Ann Hui's A Simple Life continued its awards run at the Hong Kong Film Awards last night (April 15), scooping five of the top prizes including best film, best director, best actor and best actress for Deanie Ip.
Thailand's censorship board bans local Macbeth
4-Apr-2012Thailand's Film Censorship Board has banned a local horror adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Shakespeare Must Die, directed by Ing K.
Song Of Silence, Jai Bhim Comrade take top prizes at HKIFF
4-Apr-2012Chen Zhuo's Song Of Silence took the Firebird Award for best feature in the Young Cinema awards of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), while Anand Patwardhan's Jai Bhim Comrade took the Firebird documentary prize.
Eros switches listing from London to New York
1-Apr-2012India's Eros International is switching its listing from the UK's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), through which it aims to raise up to $250m.
China in the spotlight at Filmart 2012
23-Mar-2012The potential of mainland China's booming film market may have lured many visitors to Hong Kong Filmart (March 19-22), but the present reality in this region are the trends of localisation and the growth of Asian TV.
Eros acquires international rights to Tezz
23-Mar-2012India's Eros International Media has acquired international distribution rights to upcoming action thriller Tezz, directed by Priyadarshan.
MacLennan Affair, Two Graves among winners at HAF
23-Mar-2012Derek Tsang and Jimmy Wan's The MacLennan Affair took the HAF Award for a project originating in Hong Kong at the closing ceremony of this year's Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Quota deal satisfies both East and West
22-Mar-2012The recent agreement between China and the US to widen the revenue-sharing quota has been met with enthusiasm by all parties and has been driven by consumer demand.
Golden Scene picks up Vulgaria
21-Mar-2012Hong Kong's Golden Scene is handling international sales on Pang Ho Cheung's Vulgaria, which is screening in this year's HKIFF.
Singapore's Clover Films sets six-picture slate
21-Mar-2012Singapore's Clover Films is gearing up to release a slate of six productions before the end of the year, as it responds to growing demand in Singapore and Malaysia for locally-produced films.
Filmart rocked by 4D Sexecution
20-Mar-2012Hong Kong producer Stephen Shiu Jr has one of the most popular booths at Filmart thanks to his slate of hot 3D movies and teaser demonstration of 4D Sex And Zen.
ScreenSingapore pushed back to December
20-Mar-2012Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has announced that the second edition of ScreenSingapore will move to December to take place at the same time as the Asia Television Forum (ATF).
Buyers take Five Star's Dark Flight
20-Mar-2012Thailand's Five Star Production has closed a slew of deals on horror picture Dark Flight 3D including a sale to KSM for the UK and German-speaking territories and to Color Entertainment For Japan.
Pegasus lines up Kok comedy, 3D horror
20-Mar-2012Raymond Wong's Pegasus Motion Pictures is gearing up to shoot two projects in the second quarter of 2012 – Vincent Kok's Guys Are Like Clothes (working title) and a 3D horror film from Po Chih Leong.
Sonamu grabs Malaysia's Bunohan for Korea
20-Mar-2012Korea's Sonamu Pictures has acquired action drama Bunohan, directed by Malaysian filmmaker Dain Iskandar Said, from Easternlight Films.
Wong Ching Po to direct Shanghai actioner for MVP
20-Mar-2012Wong Ching Po has been lined up to direct $10m martial arts action film Once Upon A Time In Shanghai for Wong Jing's Mega Vision Pictures (MVP).
Iran's A Separation leads Asian Film Awards
19-Mar-2012Asghar Farhadi's A Separation was the big winner at the Asian Film Awards last night scooping best film, best director, best screenwriter and best editor.
Malaysia to introduce 30% production rebate
19-Mar-2012The Malaysian government is set to introduce a rebate scheme for local and international films shooting in Malaysia.
Distribution Workshop launches Tycoon, Christmas Rose
19-Mar-2012Distribution Workshop, the Hong Kong-based sales arm of Chinese studio Bona Film Group, is attending Filmart with a slate of hot new projects including gangster thriller The Last Tycoon starring Chow Yun Fat.
Khoo fills Urn, engages Apprentice
19-Mar-2012Gorylah Pictures, one of two production labels run by Singapore filmmaker and Asian Film Awards jury president Eric Khoo, is joining forces with Clover Films and MM2 Entertainment to co-produce supernatural thriller Inside The Urn (working title), to be directed by Gilbert Chan.
Fortissimo goes Full Circle
19-Mar-2012Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside China to Zhang Yang's upcoming feature Full Circle.
Blind Detective, Switch make Media Asia bow
19-Mar-2012Hong Kong's Media Asia is introducing two high-profile projects at Filmart – Johnnie To's crime drama Blind Detective and Jay Sun's action drama Switch.
CAR takes North American rights to Smuggler
19-Mar-2012US-based Cinema Asia Releasing (CAR) has acquired North American rights to Japanese cult hit Smuggler, which premiered in the Midnight Madness section of last year's Toronto film festival.
Emperor fights fire with Derek Kwok, Nicolas Tse
19-Mar-2012Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is launching a big-budget fire-fighting drama at Filmart, to be directed by hot up-and-coming filmmaker Derek Kwok with Nicholas Tse heading the cast.
New Pangs, Chan films headline Universe slate
19-Mar-2012Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution is unveiling a slate of action films at Filmart, headed by new projects from the Pang Brothers and Benny Chan.
Turkish cinema gets first push at Filmart
19-Mar-2012Turkish cinema will have a presence for the first time at Filmart this year, through a booth organised by Turkey's Izmir Cinema Association (ICA).
Loehr to exit CAA's China office
16-Mar-2012Peter Loehr is leaving his position as managing director of CAA China, the agency's seven-year-old outpost in Beijing.
India's Trigno to remake The Infidel in Hindi
14-Mar-2012India's Trigno Media has acquired rights to develop a Hindi version of UK comedy The Infidel, which was a hit at the UK box office in 2010.
India's film industry revenues up 11% in 2011
13-Mar-2012India's film industry grew by 11.5% to $1.85bn (Rs93bn) in 2011, according to a report issued by KPMG on the eve of the FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai.
China's YOU On Demand to distribute large-format films
8-Mar-2012Chinese video-on-demand (VoD) platform YOU On Demand Holdings has signed a deal with K2 Communications to distribute films made for large formats on VoD in China.
Deool, Byari share best feature at India's National Film Awards
8-Mar-2012Two films made in regional languages – Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni's Deool and Suveeran's Byari – will share the best feature film honours at the 59th edition of India's National Film Awards.
Chow Yun-fat to star in Wong Jing's Shanghai
2-Mar-2012Chow Yun-fat is set to star in Grand Shanghai a big-budget Chinese gangster thriller to be directed by Wong Jing.
Wong's Revenge: A Love Story sells to Japan
1-Mar-2012Hong Kong-based All Rights Entertainment has closed a Japanese deal on Wong Ching Po's Revenge: A Love Story, which has gone to Tokyo-based Medallian Media Co.
Anysay Keola
1-Mar-2012The director of the first commercial thriller ever made in Laos talks about kickstarting a film industry in his country.
Love In The Buff to open Hong Kong film festival
24-Feb-2012Pang Ho-cheung's Love In The Buff will open this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 21-April 5), while Berlin competition entry White Deer Plain will close the event.
China agrees to widen market access for US films
18-Feb-2012The US government has announced that China has agreed to widen its long-standing quota for US films, as well as allow US companies to take a greater share of box office.
Tianjin's Rabbit sells to Portugal
16-Feb-2012China's Tianjin Film Studio has sold hit animation Legend Of A Rabbit to Portugal's Zon Lusomundo Audiovisuals.
Match Factory picks up Anup Singh's Qissa
15-Feb-2012The Match Factory has picked up international rights to Anup Singh's Indo-European co-production Qissa, which is currently shooting in Punjab, India.
Shout! Factory takes North American DVD rights to CJ duo
14-Feb-2012Korea's CJ E&M has sold North American home entertainment rights to 3D creature feature Sector 7 and action adventure Quick to Santa Monica-based Shout! Factory.
HAF/Fox unveil finalists for first Chinese development awards
14-Feb-2012Fox International Productions and the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) have unveiled the five finalists for the first annual HAF/Fox Chinese Film Development Award.
Buyers shoot for Lotte's Arrows
14-Feb-2012Korea's Lotte Entertainment has sealed a string of deals on local box office hit The War Of The Arrows, including a Japanese sale to Showgate.
Toei's Admiral conquers UK, Germany
14-Feb-2012Japanese studio Toei has closed several deals on its big-budget war epic Admiral Yamamoto, including a sale to Germany's Pandastorm Pictures.
Buyers enter OEE's Forbidden Ground
13-Feb-2012Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has sold Australian First World War epic Forbidden Ground to Momentum for the UK, Dutch Film Works for Benelux and Star Alliance for China.
Monkey King reigns again in digital 3D
13-Feb-2012Hong Kong and Beijing-based sales agent The Film Library is partnering with Shanghai Film Group to sell The Monkey King – Uproar In Heaven 3D, which screening in Berlin's Generation section.
TIFF unveils big plans for celebration of 25th edition
13-Feb-2012The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is planning a range of special programmes to celebrate its 25th edition which is taking place this year (Oct 20-29).
Beijing Film Market opens doors to China
12-Feb-2012The Beijing Film Market has unveiled further details of its second edition which will be held April 24-26 in the China National Convention Centre in Beijing.
Golden Network plucks Cherry, Yugo & Lala
12-Feb-2012Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to Chinese black comedy A Cherry On A Pomegranate Tree, from the producer of Venice Horizons title The Sword Identity.
Three Dragons embarks on desert trek with Badanhelan
11-Feb-2012Hong Kong-based production company Three Dragons Films is launching sales on Gobi Desert-set drama Badanhelan at the EFM.
Yamada's Tokyo Story remake back on track
11-Feb-2012Japanese studio Shochiku is attending EFM with Yoji Yamada's long-gestating homage to Tokyo Story, which is now back on track and scheduled to start shooting in March.
Deluxe acquires Hong Kong's Centro Digital Pictures
10-Feb-2012Deluxe Entertainment Services Group has acquired Hong Kong-based visual effects and post-production company Centro Digital Pictures for an undisclosed sum.
Bombay Berlin brings Prasaad to EFM
10-Feb-2012Mumbai-based Bombay Berlin Film Production (BBFP) is stepping into international sales with Indian drama Prasaad, which is receiving its market premiere at EFM.
Celluloid Nightmares falls into Dead Mine
10-Feb-2012Celluloid Nightmares has picked up international rights outside Asia to English-language action horror Dead Mine, co-produced by HBO Asia and Singapore-based Infinite Studios.
CJ wages war with epic My Way sales
10-Feb-2012Korea's CJ Entertainment has closed a raft of sales on Kang Je-kyu's My Way, which is screening in Panorama Special.
Finecut launches sales on Kim Ki-duk's Pieta
10-Feb-2012Seoul-based sales agent Finecut has picked up international rights to Pieta, the latest film from prolific Korean auteur Kim Ki-duk.
Distribution Workshop picks up White Deer Plain
10-Feb-2012Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop has picked up international rights excluding China to Wang Quan'an's White Deer Plain, which was a late addition to Berlin competition.
Easternlight picks up Chinese trio
9-Feb-2012Arclight's Asian division, Easternlight Films, has picked up international rights to three upcoming Chinese productions – The Assassins, The Four and Hur Jin-ho's Dangerous Liaisons.
TIFFCOM market moves to Tokyo Bay
9-Feb-2012This year's TIFFCOM contents market (October 23-25) will change venues from the Roppongi Hills complex to the Grand Pacific Le Daiba hotel in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Finecut adds Grand Heist, Ghost Sweepers to Berlin slate
9-Feb-2012Seoul-based sales company Finecut has picked up two new Korean genre films – $10m period action adventure The Grand Heist, and $5m comic action horror Ghost Sweepers.
Lotte goes back to school with Happy End director Jung
9-Feb-2012Korean financing and distribution powerhouse Lotte Entertainment is launching Eungyo (working title), the latest film from Happy End director Jung Ji-woo at the EFM.
Monsoon Shootout
9-Feb-2012Amit Kumar, director of award-winning short The Bypass, talks about his debut feature Monsoon Shootout, produced by the UK's Trevor Ingman.
9-Feb-2012The director of the first Indonesian film to be selected for Berlin Competition talks about censorship and other animals in Indonesia.
Indonesia's Edwin to receive New Talent Award at AFAs
8-Feb-2012Indonesian director Edwin will receive the Edward Yang New Talent Award at the upcoming Asian Film Awards (AFAs) in Hong Kong.
Asia Pacific Film Festival to be held in Shanghai
6-Feb-2012The organisers of the Asia Pacific Film Festival have announced that the 55th edition will be held in Shanghai, marking the first time the event has been held in mainland China.
Fortissimo takes aim at Monsoon Shootout
3-Feb-2012Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside India/South Asia to Amit Kumar's UK-India production Monsoon Shootout, which recently wrapped in Mumbai.
Hong Kong cinema squeezed out by high rents
1-Feb-2012One of Hong Kong exhibitor UA Cinemas' flagship multiplexes closed its doors yesterday (Jan 31) after losing its rental lease on the ground floor of the busy Times Square shopping mall.
Singaporean, Malaysian film industries increase ties
29-Jan-2012Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) is taking a delegation of 33 media and entertainment companies to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, as part of a drive to increase ties between the two South-East Asian neighbours.
It Gets Better takes audience award at inaugural Hua Hin fest
29-Jan-2012Thai romantic drama It Gets Better was presented with the audience award at the closing of the first Hua Hin International Film Festival (Jan 26-29) on Sunday night.
Flying Swords leads nominations for Asian Film Awards
17-Jan-2012Tsui Hark's Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate scooped the highest number of nominations for this year's Asian Film Awards (AFAs), with seven nods in all, including best film, best director and best actor (Chen Kun).
Celestial Tiger appoints Miller as president and COO
11-Jan-2012Former Sony Pictures Television executive Todd Miller has been appointed as president and chief operating officer of newly-formed Asian media company Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE).
HAF unveils record line-up of 32 projects
6-Jan-2012The Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has unveiled an expanded line-up of 32 projects for this year's edition (March 19-21), which is bolstered by a couple of new international tie-ups.
English-language Lost For Words starts shooting in Hong Kong
5-Jan-2012Stanley J. Orzel's English-language romantic drama Lost For Words started shooting this week in Hong Kong.
China's newest stars
16-Dec-2011Village Roadshow's Ellen Eliasoph and Greg Basser reveal the details of their United Artists-style production and distribution venture in China, which will see them working with talent including Zhang Ziyi, Stephen Chow, Chen Daming — and Keanu Reeves.
Next steps for Arab cinema
16-Dec-2011At the Dubai International Film Festival this week, Arab filmmakers agreed they now have unprecedented access to funding, but distribution and censorship remain major challenges.
Tatsumi, Habibi scoop Dubai film festival awards
14-Dec-2011Eric Khoo's Tatsumi was awarded with best film in the Muhr AsiaAfrica competition at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (Dec 7-14), while Susan Youssef's Habibi took best film in the Muhr Arab section.
Dubai film festival strikes partnership with MIPTV
13-Dec-2011The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has formed a partnership with contents market MIPTV to strengthen the visibility of filmmakers in the Middle East region by exposing their works to an international audience.
Eros to co-produce Tamil action thriller with Photon Kathaas
13-Dec-2011India's Eros International has signed a co-production deal with Chennai-based production house Photon Kathaas Productions for the Tamil-language action thriller John: Chapter 1 (Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru).
Women directors take top prizes at Dubai Film Connection
12-Dec-2011Two projects from women directors – Katia Jarjoura's The Eye Of The Devil and Najwa Najjar's [pictured] Eyes Of A Thief – were presented with DIFF awards at this year's Dubai Film Connection (DFC).
Chinese Zodiac stakes out Dec 12 release date
11-Dec-2011JG Group, Huayi Bros and Emperor Motion Pictures have announced that upcoming Jackie Chan blockbuster Chinese Zodiac will be released one year from today (December 12, 2012) in both regular and IMAX versions.
Steppe in a global direction
9-Dec-2011An exciting new Kazakh director is earning comparisons with Guy Ritchie and Timur Bekmambetov and has attracted an illustrious international team to shoot a coming-of-age film aimed at global audiences. Liz Shackleton reports
Porfirio wins Golden Peacock at IFFI Goa
4-Dec-2011Colombian drama Porfirio, directed by Alejandro Landes, was awarded the Golden Peacock for best film at the close of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa on Saturday night.
Bollywood icon Dev Anand dies aged 88
4-Dec-2011Indian actor, director and producer Dev Anand died in London on Saturday night (Dec 3). He was 88 years old.
EMP signs three-picture deal with Ge You
1-Dec-2011Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has signed a five-year three-picture deal with leading mainland Chinese actor Ge You.
Four Colours, Mumbai Cha Raja win Film Bazaar awards
28-Nov-2011Bikas Mishra's Four Colours took the inaugural Incredible India award at this year's Film Bazaar (Nov 24-27), while Manjeet Singh's Mumbai Cha Raja took the Prasad award.
CCVF plots Waterfront berth for Indian indies
27-Nov-2011Indian film fund Cinema Capital Venture Fund (CCVF) has launched a production and financing outfit, Waterfront Films, which will focus on independent Indian movies.
PictureWorks brings Melancholia to India
27-Nov-2011Mumbai-based distributor PictureWorks has picked up Indian rights to Lars von Trier's Melancholia from Scandinavian sales agent TrustNordisk and plans to release it in major urban centre early next year.
Lamba to star in Belawadi's Pollutant
27-Nov-2011Indian actor Arfi Lamba will star in Prakash Belawadi's environmental zombie film The Pollutant, which is taking part in the Co-production Market of this year's Film Bazaar.
Ladakh to host international film festival
27-Nov-2011Ladakh, a high-altitude region in the north of India, is set to host its first ever international film festival from June 15-17 next year.
Fortissimo boards Ship Of Theseus
27-Nov-2011Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights to Anand Gandhi's The Ship Of Theseus, which is taking part in the Work-in-Progress Lab at Film Bazaar (Nov 24-27) in Goa.
Brazilian filmmaker Oscar Maron Filho dies at IFFI Goa
27-Nov-2011Brazilian filmmaker and journalist Oscar Maron Filho collapsed and died while attending the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa today. He was 56 years old.
Goa projects make their mark
25-Nov-2011Co-productions set up at Goa's Film Bazaar are now gracing leading international festivals. Liz Shackleton reports
Khan, Chopra to head cast of Singh's Qissa
25-Nov-2011Indian actors Irrfan Khan and Tisca Chopra will star in Anup Singh's Indo-European co-production Qissa, which is set to start shooting in India early next year.
Denmark's CPH:PIX prepares Indian film festival
25-Nov-2011Danish film festival CPH PIX is planning a festival of Indian cinema which will take place as part of the India Today/Copenhagen Tomorrow project in Copenhagen in August 2012.
Mogador turns on Television
24-Nov-2011Germany's Mogador Films and France's Eaux Vives Productions have boarded social drama Television, to be directed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Farooki.
NFDC boards Mukherjee's Tasher Desh
24-Nov-2011Film Bazaar organiser the National Film Development Corp (NFDC) has boarded Bengali filmmaker Kaushik Mukherjee's Tasher Desh, one of a growing number of international co-productions on the organisation's slate.
Kashyap conjures up Phantom Films
24-Nov-2011Indian director-producer Anurag Kashyap has teamed up with three fellow filmmakers to launch a content-driven production outfit Phantom Films.
Indian audiences catch indie fever
17-Nov-2011The local box-office success of a number of non-mainstream Indian films has prompted financiers to take note. Now the challenge is to win over distributors.
IFFI to open with Gonzales' Consul Of Bordeaux
16-Nov-2011The Consul Of Bordeaux, directed by Portuguese filmmaker Manuel Gonzales, will open this year's International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which takes place in the former Portuguese colony of Goa (Nov 23-Dec 3).
India's NFDC unveils 22 projects for Film Bazaar
14-Nov-2011India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has unveiled the 22 projects that will take part in this year's Film Bazaar co-production market (Nov 24-27) in Goa, including projects from Danis Tanovic and India's Dibakar Banerjee and Ketan Mehta.
UTV, Imtiaz Ali team for My Girlfriend Is An Agent remake
11-Nov-2011Mumbai-based UTV Motion Pictures and Indian filmmaker Imtiaz Ali [pictured] will co-produce an official Hindi remake of Korean romantic action comedy My Girlfriend Is An Agent.
Excess all areas
6-Nov-2011Finding money is not a problem in China. Finding the right money, from astute investors who bring something more to the project than their present girlfriend, is vital.
Well Go USA cuts to Lau's Guillotines
4-Nov-2011$15m action thriller sells to the US, Germany, Benelux and Ausralia/NZ
EMP, Le Vision join forces for Derek Yee project
4-Nov-2011Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures and Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures are joining forces to produce a murder mystery that will reunite Hong Kong director Lo Chi-leung and producer Derek Yee.
Village Roadshow's China venture working with Zhang, Chow
2-Nov-2011Village Roadshow Entertainment Group (VREG) has unveiled details of its new China operation, including a slew of partnerships and projects with talent including Zhang Ziyi and Stephen Chow [pictured].
Anubhav Sinha
27-Oct-2011The Mumbai-based director talks to Screen about sci-fi movie Ra.One, starring Shah Rukh Khan,which is being released worldwide this week on more than 3,500 screens.
India's UTV pacts with Warner Bros for action pictures
25-Oct-2011India's UTV has struck a long-term exclusive deal with Warner Bros International Television Distribution (WBITD) to screen multiple blockbusters on its UTV Action and UTV Action Telugu channels.
Bhattacharya's BMW starts shooting in Mumbai
21-Oct-2011Indian director Aditya Battacharya's crime thriller BMW: Bombay's Most Wanted starts shooting tomorrow (Oct 22), with a cast including The Sopranos' John Ventimiglia and Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee.
Asia moves towards regional cooperation
20-Oct-2011At last week's Asian Film Policy Forum in Busan, policy-makers from across Asia discussed how they can create region-wide support structures for film.
Vivek Oberoi
20-Oct-2011The Bollywood star talks about his first film as producer, Watch Indian Circus, which scooped the audience award at last week's Busan International Film Festival.
Village, China Film, Wanda to finance Keanu Reeves' Man Of Tai Chi
17-Oct-2011Village Roadshow, China Film and Beijing-based exhibitor Wanda Group are understood to have reached a deal to finance Keanu Reeves' martial arts project, Man Of Tai Chi, which will mark the star's directorial debut.
Ishaqzaade starts shooting for India's Yash Raj Films
17-Oct-2011India's Yash Raj Films has started production on Ishaqzaade, written and directed by Habib Faisal and produced by Aditya Chopra, which is scheduled for a May 2012 release.
Film Asia launches Zombie, 3D Hunter at Busan market
10-Oct-2011Start-up Hong Kong production and sales outfit, Film Asia Entertainment, is unveiling a slate of new product at the Asian Film Market, headed by Malaysian 3D thriller The Hunter and Joe Chien's zombie movie Zombie 108.
Hong Kong's Edko, Irresistible launch action duo
9-Oct-2011Hong Kong-based Edko Films and Irresistible Films have unveiled two new productions for release in 2012 – crime thriller Nightfall, starring Nick Cheung and Simon Yam, and police action film Cold War.
Malaysia's international boost
6-Oct-2011Malaysia is poised to see a raised profile on the international film scene, thanks to government support, new studios and confident local producers.
EFP takes delegation of 29 European companies to Busan
4-Oct-2011European Film Promotion (EFP) has signed up 29 European companies for its umbrella stand at Busan's Asian Film Market (Oct 10-13), where it will be supporting a record number of 31 European films.
India's Prasad appoints Stambaugh head of NA operations
4-Oct-2011India's Prasad Corporation has appointed Paul Stambaugh as senior vice president, North American operations, based in Los Angeles.
Singapore overhauls film and media funding structure
29-Sep-2011Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has announced that it will be streamlining its funding schemes from 46 to five, effective immediately.
Harmony Lessons wins project prize at Eurasia
26-Sep-2011Psychological drama Harmony Lessons, from young Kazakh filmmaker Emir Baigazin, was awarded the top prize of inaugural projects market, Spotlight: New Kazakh Cinema, which took place during the Eurasia film fest (Sep 19-24).
First Rains wins best film at Eurasia film festival
26-Sep-2011Japan-Kazakh co-production The First Rains Of Spring was awarded best film at the Eurasia International Film Festival, which took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan (Sep 19-24).
Why the US studios are struggling with Asian production
22-Sep-2011The news that Disney has followed Warner Bros and Paramount in closing down local-language production or acquisition units highlights the difficulties the US studios face in this area, particularly in Asia where a very different filmmaking culture exists.
Mumbai film festival to roll with Moneyball
20-Sep-2011The Mumbai Film Festival has announced that Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt, will open this year's edition of the festival (Oct 13-20), while Dolphin Tale, a family drama starring Morgan Freeman, will close the event.
Kelvin Wu
15-Sep-2011The Hong Kong-based CEO of Legendary East talks about the new joint venture between Inception producer Legendary Entertainment and Chinese partners.
Eurasia Film Festival launches Kazakh co-production event
15-Sep-2011Kazakhstan's Eurasia International Film Festival is launching a co-production event, Spotlight: New Kazakh Cinema, at this year's edition of the festival in Almaty (Sep 19-24).
FICCI Frames to launch market at 2012 edition
14-Sep-2011India's annual FICCI Frames conference has announced that it's planning to launch a market at the 2012 edition of the event in Mumbai (March 14-16).
India's Eros signs 50-film deal with Korea Telecom
13-Sep-2011Indian studio Eros International has signed a deal with Korea Telecom (KT) to license 50 titles across various platforms including IPTV, mobile and internet.
Hudson to head Mumbai competition jury
12-Sep-2011The Mumbai Film Festival has announced that Hugh Hudson will head the competition jury of the festival's 13th edition which takes place October 13-20.
Bunohan gains Traction, sells to Universal
9-Sep-2011LA-based sales company Traction Media has boarded Malaysian action drama Bunohan
Media Asia to co-produce Lau's Guillotines with We Pictures
7-Sep-2011Hong Kong's Media Asia Films has boarded Andrew Lau's The Guillotines as co-producer alongside Peter Ho-sun Chan's We Pictures. The film started shooting this week in China's Shanxi province.
David R. Ellis to direct Kite remake for Distant Horizon
4-Sep-2011Distant Horizon has announced that David R. Ellis will direct the live-action remake of hit Japanese anime Kite, which is scheduled to go into production in January, 2012.
Indian filmmaker Jag Mundhra dies aged 62
4-Sep-2011Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra, whose credits include UK-set films such as Provoked and Shoot On Sight, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. He was 62.
Fortissimo picks up Vietnam's Paradise
31-Aug-2011Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to Vietnamese director Vu Ngoc Dang's Lost In Paradise (Hot Boy Noi Loan), which will receive its world premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
Kollywood's time to shine
25-Aug-2011Is Kollywood the new Bollywood? Hollywood certainly hopes so as the studios increase their local-language collaborations with the Tamil industry to tap into a homegrown audience of 70 million.
China's international ambitions
25-Aug-2011What the Relativity Media and Legendary Pictures deals say about China rallying forth into the world.
Fortissimo wades into Wetlands
24-Aug-2011Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights to French Canadian filmmaker Guy Edoin's Wetlands (aka Marecages), which premieres at the Venice Film Festival next month.
Imagenation pacts with Fortissimo for Emirati slate
23-Aug-2011Imagenation Abu Dhabi has signed an exclusive international sales agreement with Fortissimo Films, which will handle worldwide distribution of the company's debut slate of local and Arabic-language features.
ARP takes French rights to Venice title Seediq Bale
17-Aug-2011Fortissimo Films has sold French rights to Venice title Warriors Of The Rainbow: Seediq Bale to leading independent distributor ARP.
Yahoo! launches online movie service in India
16-Aug-2011Yahoo! India has launched an on-demand movie service on the internet and is talks with local production houses to secure content.
The Sorcerer And The White Snake
4-Aug-2011Chinese producer Chui Po-chu talks to Screen about upcoming $25m fantasy drama The Sorcerer And The White Snake, starring Jet Li, which is being sold internationally by Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop.
Chan, Mak launch HK production outfit Kudos Films
2-Aug-2011Veteran talent manager and producer Willie Chan has launched a Hong Kong-based production company, Kudos Films, in partnership with actor Juno Mak.
Rob Cohen to direct $100m war epic for CJ, Grapevine
29-Jul-2011Korea's CJ E&M Pictures and Grapevine Entertainment have attached Rob Cohen to direct $100m war epic 1950, described as the biggest-budget project ever undertaken by the Korean film industry.
Zhang Weiping
28-Jul-2011The Beijing-based producer talks about Zhang Yimou's upcoming Heroes Of Nanking, starring Christian Bale, which FilmNation is handling internationally.
Asian indies still financed the old fashioned way
28-Jul-2011Despite the proliferation of new media platforms in Asia, the region's genre filmmakers are sticking to tried-and-tested formulas to finance their films.
Singapore's Golden Village to screen Ayumi concerts
27-Jul-2011Singaporean exhibitor Golden Village is planning to screen two of Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki's recent concert tours at its flagship theatres.
Disney offers to buy out partners in India's UTV
27-Jul-2011The Walt Disney Company has made a $454m offer to buy out its partners in Mumbai-based UTV Software Communications, the parent company of film producer-distributor UTV Motion Pictures.
Harry Potter may end Indonesia's US film drought
26-Jul-2011Indonesian officials say that Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 will be released in Indonesia this weekend, ending a five-month dispute between MPAA members, the Indonesian government and local distributors.
Shaw Brothers movies to make debut on African pay-TV
25-Jul-2011Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has licensed a package of martial arts titles from its Shaw Brothers library to Sony Max, the 24-hour action and reality channel operated by Sony Pictures Television in Africa.
Emperor stakes out Lunar New Year release for Viral Factor
24-Jul-2011Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has announced that its upcoming $25m thriller The Viral Factor will be released in time for Lunar New Year 2012.
Taiwan's Apple to open summer edition of HKIFF
22-Jul-2011Taiwanese drama You Are The Apple Of My Eye will open the summer edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which runs August 9-23 in Hong Kong.
twofour54 launches first 3D lab in the Middle East
20-Jul-2011Abu Dhabi's twofour54 intaj has opened the first stereoscopic 3D lab in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Hong Kong content, internet orgs unite to fight online piracy
14-Jul-2011Twelve Hong Kong associations, representing the content and online services industries, have pledged to work together to combat online copyright theft.
India's BIG Cinemas appoints Ganapathy as CEO
14-Jul-2011Reliance MediaWorks has appointed Ashok Ganapathy to the newly created post of CEO of its multinational exhibition arm BIG Cinemas.
Reliance MediaWorks joins forces with Digital Domain
12-Jul-2011India's Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) is teaming up with California-based Digital Domain to launch visual effects studios in India and London.
Imagenation pacts with Empire to distribute Emirati films
11-Jul-2011Imagenation Abu Dhabi has signed an exclusive deal with Beirut-based Empire International to distribute its locally-produced slate throughout the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.
7-Jul-2011The second adaptation of Greek novel Z, Dibakar Banerjee's latest project follows three characters from different backgrounds who become embroiled in the messy politics of a small Indian town.
Indian new wave filmmaker Mani Kaul dies
7-Jul-2011Mani Kaul, one of the leading figures of India's new wave movement of the 1970s, died on July 7 of cancer. He was 66.
Santosh Sivan
23-Jun-2011The Indian director talks about his new project, Urumi, a period fantasy epic which is being made in English, Hindi and Malayalam versions.
UTV acquires rights to best-selling novel Chanakya's Chant
15-Jun-2011Mumbai-based UTV Motion Pictures has acquired rights to Ashwin Sanghi's best-selling novel Chanakya's Chant, which will be adapted into a feature film by the studio.
Warner Bros signs China VoD deal with YOU On Demand
15-Jun-2011Warner Bros has signed a pay-per-view (PPV) and video-on-demand (VoD) deal with VoD platform YOU On Demand Media, which is an official partner of Chinese state-owned movie channel CCTV-6.
Norwegian Wood secures release in mainland China
15-Jun-2011Tran Anh Hung's Norwegian Wood has passed censorship in mainland China and will be released in the territory later this year through China Film and Shanghai Huayu Film Company.
Uday Singh appointed head of MPA's India office
8-Jun-2011Uday Singh has been appointed managing director of the Mumbai-based Motion Picture Distributors Association (MPDA), which is the wholly-owned India office of the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
Chew, Ooi launch Singapore-based talent, production outfit
7-Jun-2011Sukee Chew of Los Angeles-based Hopscotch Pictures and Andrew Ooi of Vancouver-based Echelon Talent Management have launched a Singapore-based production and talent management outfit, The COcreative Company.
Disney, UTV to co-produce slate of family films
20-May-2011The Walt Disney Company India and Mumbai-based UTV Motion Pictures have formed a creative alliance to co-produce a slate of Disney-branded films aimed at family audiences.
Rana director denies cancellation of project due to star's health
20-May-2011KS Ravikumar, the director of Tamil star Rajnikanth's latest blockbuster Rana, which is currently shooting, has denied rumours that the project has been cancelled due to the star's ill health.
BOM Film Productions takes Korean rights to Wu Xia
20-May-2011Hong Kong-based We Distribution has sold Korean rights to Peter Ho-sun Chan's Wu Xia to BOM Film Productions.
Finecut sells festival pair to Japan
19-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Korea's Finecut has sold both its Un Certain Regard titles to Japan – Kim Ki-duk's Arirang has been sold to Crest International, while Hong Sangsoo's The Day He Arrives has gone to Bitters End.
Viacom 18 to distribute Paramount releases in India
18-May-2011Viacom 18, the 50:50 joint venture between Viacom and India's Network 18, has announced a strategic alliance with Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures International (PPI) to distribute PPI releases across India.
Khoo meets his sensei
18-May-2011Singaporean director Eric Khoo has been a fan of Japanese manga master Yoshihiro Tatsumi for decades, but when he picked up his autobiography, A Drifting Life, he knew he had to turn it into a film.
Abu Dhabi's Sanad fund selects 11 projects
18-May-2011The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) has unveiled the 11 projects to receive support from its Sanad fund in the first application cycle this year.
Easternlight scores pre-sales on White Vengeance
18-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Arclight Films' Easternlight banner has closed a string of sales on new pick-up White Vengeance, which Daniel Lee is currently shooting in China.
Yellow Sea flows to Europe, Japan
18-May-2011Korea's Showbox has sold Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea (aka The Murderer) to Nonstop Entertainment for Scandinavian and Baltic territories and Klockworx for Japan.
KNCC takes Middle East rights to Tora Bora
17-May-2011Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC) has acquired Middle East rights to Afghanistan-set drama Tora Bora, produced by C Sky Pictures.
Rahman to compose music for Chopra's next film as director
17-May-2011Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman will compose the music for Yash Chopra's long-awaited return to directing, which is set to star Shah Rukh Khan.
Emperor's Bullets hit trio of territories
17-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has closed a trio of deals on Jiang Wen's blockbuster Let The Bullets Fly including a sale to Amuse Soft in Japan.
Fox International Productions to present award at HAF
17-May-2011Fox International Productions (FIP) and the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) are collaborating on a new award to be given out annually at HAF beginning next year.
Gaga announces acquisitions including Devil's Double
17-May-2011Hot off its success with The King's Speech, Japan's Gaga Corporation has announced a string of further acquisitions, including
ScreenSingapore unveils world premieres including Ready
17-May-2011ScreenSingapore has announced the line-up of films that will screen at this year's inaugural event (June 5-12), including the world premieres of Hong Kong martial arts comedy Treasure Inn and Bollywood blockbuster Ready.
Buyers eat up Golden Network's Seefood
16-May-2011Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has pre-sold Malaysian animation Seefood to a string of territories including Wild Side for France and Splendid for Germany.
Finecut sells Un Certain Regard pair to Taiwan's Catchplay
16-May-2011Korea's Finecut has sold Arirang, Kim Ki-duk's controversial self-portrait, and Hong Sang-soo's The Day He Arrives to Taiwan's Catchplay.
Korea's 9ers sells Ronin Pop and Try To Remember
16-May-2011Korea's 9ers Entertainment has scored a string of deals on sci-fi action title Ronin Pop and romantic drama Try To Remember.
Lall Brothers launch arthouse label with Chittagong drama
16-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Bhuvan and Akshay Lall have launched an arthouse label, Lall Brothers Filmworks, to produce and distribute a slate of high-quality Indian films.
Tianjin's Rabbit hops over to Italy
16-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: China's Tianjin Film Studio has sold 3D animated feature film Legend Of A Rabbit to Italian distributor CDF Pictures.
Dubai Film Market reports 60% increase in business
15-May-2011The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has announced that the December 2010 edition of the Dubai Filmmart assisted sales for a record 224 films from around the world, a 60% increase from its 2009 edition.
Kumar's Monsoon set to hit India
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Amit Kumar, director of award-winning short The Bypass, is gearing up to shoot his debut feature, The Monsoon Shootout, as a co-production between the UK, India, Netherlands and France.
Messer buys remake rights to Alien Vs Ninja
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Japan's Nikkatsu has sold English-language remake rights to Alien Vs Ninja to Arnold Messer and Phoenix Pictures, which Messer runs with Mike Medavoy.
Shoreline picks up China-bound Captain Nemo
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Shoreline Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to 3D action adventure Captain Nemo, which is scheduled to start shooting in Beijing in August with Hugh Bonneville heading the cast.
Dubai Film Connection to launch focus on documentaries
15-May-2011The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is expanding its co-production market, Dubai Film Connection, with a focus on documentary films.
Nikkatsu plans world tour to celebrate 100th anniversary
15-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Japan's oldest studio Nikkatsu Corporation is planning to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a world tour of some of its iconic films.
Fortissimo picks up Taiwanese epic Seediq Bale
14-May-2011Fortissimo Films has picked up Taiwanese epic Seediq Bale, directed by Wei Te-sheng whose Cape No. 7 is the highest-grossing local film ever in Taiwan.
Malaysia ramps up international co-productions
13-May-2011Malaysia is stepping up its presence at Cannes this year, unveiling a slate of international projects and organising a country pavilion in the Palais for the first time.
Doha Film Institute unveils slate of 25 grant recipients
13-May-2011The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the slate of 25 projects in various stages of production that will receive grants in its second funding round.
UTV's Heroine starring Aishwarya Rai unveiled at Cannes
13-May-2011UTV Motion Pictures unveiled its upcoming production Heroine, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, at Cannes on Friday (May 13).
C Sky, twofour54 Abu Dhabi strike development deal
13-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Kuwaiti filmmaker Walid Al Awadi's C Sky Pictures has signed a three-year development deal with twofour54 Abu Dhabi to develop and produce a slate of Arabic film and TV projects.
Doha Tribeca to host world premiere of Black Gold
13-May-2011Quinta Communications' Arabian epic Black Gold will make its world premiere at the 2011 Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), which is scheduled to run October 25-29 at Katara Cultural Village.
Icon Australia snaps up Mayday concert film from Double Edge
13-May-2011Icon Film Distribution has acquired all Australian rights to concert film Mayday 3DNA from Taiwan-based Double Edge Entertainment.
Japan's Free Stone launches with Heaven's Story, Kokuei package
13-May-2011Japanese sales company Free Stone Production is making its Cannes debut with award-winning Berlin title Heaven's Story and a special package of avant-garde pinku (aka erotic) movies from Japanese production house Kokuei.
Thailand's M Pictures signs up for 3D Sex And Zen
13-May-2011China 3D Digital Entertainment has sold Hong Kong box office smash 3D Sex And Zen: Extreme Ecstasy to M Pictures for Thailand.
Eros gets Ready for starry Cannes slate
12-May-2011India's Eros International has acquired international rights to Salman Khan vehicle Ready, adding it to a star-studded Cannes slate that also includes Ra.One starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rana with Tamil superstar Rajnikanth.
Chinese film festival to be held during ScreenSingapore
12-May-2011Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) is organising a film festival of Chinese cinema to be held alongside the inaugural edition of ScreenSingapore (June 5-12).
Fortissimo sells Wong Kar Wai's Grandmasters to Japan
12-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has sold Wong Kar-wai's hotly-anticipated martial arts epic The Grandmasters to Gaga Corporation for Japan.
Five Star adds 3D horror Dark Flight to Cannes slate
12-May-2011Thai production and sales outfit Five Star Production is unleashing four new high-profile titles at Cannes, including 3D horror film Dark Flight.
Fortissimo, WME go to New York with Maisie
12-May-2011Fortissimo Films will handle international sales and WME domestic on Red Crown Productions' What Maisie Knew, set to star Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgard and Steve Coogan.
Golden Network adds Chan's Mural to Cannes slate
12-May-2011Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to $13m fantasy action picture Mural, written and directed by Gordon Chan.
Hong Kong's Universe lines up new Chan, Pang Brothers projects
12-May-2011Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution is launching four new titles at Cannes, including an untitled $20m action film from Benny Chan.
Korea's bom sells Come Rain to Japan, launches Countdown
12-May-2011Korean production house bom Film Productions has sealed a Japanese deal on its Berlin competition title Come Rain, Come Shine, which has been snapped up by Pony Canyon.
Taiwan's Double Edge picks up Spin Kid, Gangster Rock
11-May-2011Taiwan-based Double Edge Entertainment has acquired two music-themed Taiwanese films – Spin Kid and Gangster Rock – and also sealed two deals on concert film Mayday 3DNA.
Asian, Western talent sign up for Kazakh epic Myn Bala
11-May-2011Talent from the US, Europe and Asia have signed up for historic adventure film Myn Bala, which has just started shooting in Kazakhstan.
Finecut adds Un Certain Regard titles, Leafie to Cannes slate
11-May-2011Korean sales company Finecut has arrived in Cannes with several new titles including Un Certain Regard entries The Day He Arrives, directed by Hong Sangsoo, and Kim Ki-duk's dramatic documentary Arirang.
M-Line seals Japanese deal on Haunters
11-May-2011EXCLUSIVE: Seoul-based sales company M-Line Distribution has sealed a slew of deals on action drama Haunters, directed by Kim Min-suk, including a sale to Japanese distributor Twin Co.
Odin's Eye acquires 9/11-themed drama The Space Between
6-May-2011Sydney-based Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has picked up international rights to Travis Fine's The Space Between, starring Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo (The Fighter).
India's NFDC to promote six filmmakers at Cannes
5-May-2011India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) will be promoting six local filmmakers at this year's Cannes, part of a range of activities designed to increase collaboration between Indian and overseas film industries.
Fortissimo jumps on Fortnight title Sur La Planche
5-May-2011Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to Moroccan director Leila Kilani's Sur La Planche which is screening in the Directors' Fortnight section ...
D-day in the developing world
5-May-2011Despite the growth of DCI-compliant D-cinema, there's still huge potential for lower resolution e-cinema in India and other emerging markets.
Shekhar Kapur
5-May-2011The director of Elizabeth: The Golden Age talks about producing documentary, Bollywood, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, which is screening in official selection at Cannes.
Khan, Kaif to star in Ek Tha Tiger for Yash Raj Films
4-May-2011India's Yash Raj Films has tapped Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif to star in upcoming romantic thriller Ek Tha Tiger, directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra.
Tony Jaa to star in 3D sequel to Tom Yum Goong
26-Apr-2011Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm has announced that the team behind Ong Bak and Tom Yum Goong – including action star Tony Jaa – are reteaming for a sequel to Tom Yum Goong to be filmed in digital 3D.
Kapur produces Bollywood documentary for Cannes
24-Apr-2011Shekhar Kapur has produced a documentary about Indian cinema, Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, that will screen out-of-competition at Cannes.
Thailand's OCAC to hold project pitching event at Cannes
24-Apr-2011Thailand's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) has selected four projects to take part in a pitching initiative to be held during the Cannes market.
Providence invests $58m in India's UFO Moviez
19-Apr-2011Global private equity firm Providence Equity Partners has pumped $58.38m (Rs2.6bn) into Indian digital cinema company UFO Moviez for an undisclosed minority stake.
Celestial moves into social games, expands channel business
19-Apr-2011Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has appointed Justin Weng as vice president, Game Development and Licensing, marking the company's entry into the social games business.
Gallants, Detective Dee triumph at Hong Kong Film Awards
18-Apr-2011Tsui Hark's Detective Dee And The Mystery of The Phantom Flame scooped six prizes at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, while kung-fu tribute Gallants picked up best film and three other awards.
Eros lines up worldwide release for Pakistani drama
15-Apr-2011Eros International is planning a worldwide release for hard-hitting Pakistani drama Bol, directed by Shoaib Monsoor, who previously directly Khuda Kay Liye.
Gangs Of Wasseypur
14-Apr-2011After becoming a familiar face on the festival circuit with films such as That Girl In Yellow Boots and Dev D, Mumbai-based director Anurag Kashyap is attempting something much more ambitious with his current project, Gangs Of Wasseypur.
Thailand approves tax breaks for actors but not VAT reduction
14-Apr-2011Thailand has agreed to exempt foreign actors who are shooting in the country from paying tax, but has not approved a raft of other potential incentives including reduction of VAT.
Larry Crowne to screen at closing night gala of ScreenSingapore
12-Apr-2011Larry Crowne, directed by and starring Tom Hanks, will screen at the closing night gala of ScreenSingapore on June 11.
Old Dog wins digital competition at Hong Kong fest
4-Apr-2011Pema Tsedan's Old Dog scooped the Golden Digital Award in the Asian Digital Competition at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Filmart 2011: Growing confidence in pan-Chinese market
24-Mar-2011Hong Kong Filmart had a busy year in terms of networking and big launches, with some deals closed; but some Asian sellers bemoaned the lack of Western buyers attending.
Dream State, Port Of Call take top prizes at HAF
23-Mar-2011Philip Yung's Port Of Call took the HAF Award for best film project from Hong Kong at the close of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), while Dream State, from Vietnam's Bui Thac Chuyen, took the HAF Award for best project originating from outside Hong Kong.
China Lion signs up for A Beautiful Life
23-Mar-2011China Lion Film Distribution has acquired rights for North America, Australia and New Zealand to Andrew Lau's latest film A Beautiful Life from Hong Kong's Media Asia.
Apichatpong to produce Concrete Clouds
23-Mar-2011Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, winner of best film at Monday's Asian Film Awards, has boarded Lee Chatametikool's Concrete Clouds as a producer.
Mutual market intelligence is key, says ACE seminar
22-Mar-2011Producers in China and Europe need to reach a deeper understanding of each other's markets before they can work together successfully, said panellists at a Sino-European co-production seminar at Filmart on Tuesday.
Convergence has Nuptials with Astro Shaw
22-Mar-2011LA-based production company Convergence Entertainment is set to co-produce supernatural horror feature Nuptials Of The Dead with Malaysian film conglomerate Astro Shaw.
Uncle Boonmee takes best film at Asian Film Awards
22-Mar-2011Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul echoed his Cannes Palme d'Or victory at the Asian Film Awards last night, winning best film for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
Mei Ah Entertainment gears up for Windseeker
22-Mar-2011Hong Kong's Mei Ah Entertainment is gearing up produce 1950s-set spy thriller Windseeker, to be directed by Alan Mak and starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
Yim Ho floats City for Mandarin Films
22-Mar-2011Production starts this week on Mandarin Films' historical epic, Hundred Years Of A Floating City, to be directed by Yim Ho.
India's media industry up by 11% in 2010
21-Mar-2011India's media and entertainment industry grew by 11% to $14.5bn (Rs652bn) in 2010 according to a report issued by KPMG at the FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai this week.
Tomson signs first-look deals with Lion Rock, Abundance
21-Mar-2011Tomson International Entertainment Distribution, the new outfit established by veteran producer Hsu Feng, has entered into first-look deals with John Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions, and Abundance Pictures, established by Chang and Laura Fu.
Celestial seals trio of pre-sales on My Kingdom
21-Mar-2011Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has sealed three pre-sales on its upcoming martial arts drama My Kingdom, which is currently in post-production.
Emperor conjures up slate led by The Great Magician
21-Mar-2011Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has unveiled a new slate of productions, headed by Derek Yee's period mystery The Great Magician starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
Mori, Kwok drive CAR into North American distribution
21-Mar-2011LA-based distribution veteran Ko Mori of Eleven Arts and producer Tim Kwok of Convergence Entertainment are launching a North American distribution outfit, Cinema Asia Releasing (CAR), which will focus solely on Asian product.
Abu Dhabi to host Priyadarshan's Athar And Madhavan Naayar
20-Mar-2011Indian filmmaker Priyadarshan is gearing up to shoot Malayalam-language project Athar And Madhavan Naayar in Abu Dhabi, with logistical support from Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC).
India's Yash Raj Films launches youth-oriented label
17-Mar-2011Mumbai-based Yash Raj Films has launched a production banner, Y-Films, to produce films catering to India's youth audience.
Fortissimo strikes deal for Yonfan library
17-Mar-2011On the eve of Hong Kong Filmart (March 21-24), Fortissimo Films has signed a deal to represent the library of iconic Hong Kong director Yonfan.
Roger Garcia
17-Mar-2011The new executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Roger Garcia, talks about his vision for the event and the challenges facing Hong Kong filmmakers.
Arthouse in India
17-Mar-2011World cinema is alive and well in India but living on the small screen.
Packed houses
16-Mar-2011Will pre-buying international projects become more popular with Hong Kong distributors as they fight for screens and good-quality product in this lively market? Liz Shackleton reports
Hong Kong's next hits
16-Mar-2011Films from Tsui Hark and Johnnie To headline the exciting new projects in the pipeline in Hong Kong. Profiles by Liz Shackleton
Beauty in the East: Filmart 2011
16-Mar-2011Hong Kong Filmart (March 21-24) is growing in importance as more international buyers and producers head to the event to conduct face-to-face business with the Asian film industry.
Hong Kong's top new talents
16-Mar-2011A distinctive film-making culture is blooming in Hong Kong. Liz Shackleton turns the spotlight on a new generation of visionary directors
Shengshi Huarui boards Unison Co's $30m Song Of Justice
16-Mar-2011Start-up Chinese production outfit The Unison Company is teaming with Beijing Shengshi Huarui to produce $30m epic action movie Song Of Justice.
Hong Kong International Film Festival preview
16-Mar-2011The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) celebrates an anniversary this year — its 35th — and is welcoming new executive director Roger Garcia, who joined in September
Reliance Broadcast to form joint venture with RTL Group
11-Mar-2011Following its joint venture with US broadcaster CBS, India's Reliance Broadcast Networks (RBN) is planning a similar deal with Bertelsmann-owned RTL Group to launch a bouquet of channels.
Abhinav Kashyap to direct next project for Viacom 18
11-Mar-2011Viacom 18 Motion Pictures is teaming with Movie Temple Productions to co-produce a project to be written and directed by Abhinav Kashyap, who directed the biggest Hindi hit of 2010, Dabangg.
Vikram Malhotra
3-Mar-2011The new COO of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the rebooted film division of Viacom's India joint venture, talks about the company's restructuring and production plans.
Tagore-themed drama starts production in Calcutta
3-Mar-2011Production started this week on Suman Ghosh's Nobel Thief (Nobel Chor), a drama that is being made to tie in with the 150th anniversary of the birthday of Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore.
Indian box office faces off with cricket
2-Mar-2011The Mumbai-based film industry has lined up a diverse slate to tempt audiences during the IPL and Cricket World Cup.
Disney strikes out alone in Hong Kong distribution
2-Mar-2011Walt Disney Studios is launching its own distribution operation in Hong Kong, effective March 1, ending a long-standing relationship with local outfit Intercontinental Film Distributors.
Hong Kong International Film Festival unveils line-up for 35th edition
25-Feb-2011Don't Go Breaking My Heart, directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai, and Quattro Hong Kong 2, from four South-East Asian filmmakers, have been announced as the opening films of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
India's 52 Weeks snaps up Summit's Source Code, The Impossible
25-Feb-2011Indian distributor 52 Weeks Entertainment has acquired Indian rights to two Summit Entertainment titles – action thriller Source Code, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and The Impossible, with Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.
Fox, Huayi, Sundream join forces in Space
23-Feb-2011Fox International Productions, Beijing-based Huayi Brothers and Hong Kong's Sundream Motion Pictures are co-producing the second feature to be directed by Tony Chan and Wing Shya, Love In Space.
Vishal Bhardwaj
18-Feb-2011Mumbai-based director Vishal Bhardwaj talks about his latest film, dark comedy 7 Sins Forgiven (7 Khoon Maaf), which has its world premiere in thePanorama Special section of Berlin.
Hong Kong Filmart to feature US, pan-European pavilions
17-Feb-2011The organisers of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) have unveiled further details of this year's event, which marks the 15th anniversary of the market.
Rapid Eye takes German rights to Dhobi Ghat
17-Feb-2011UTV Motion Pictures has sold German rights to Kiran Rao's Mumbai Diaries (Dhobi Ghat) to Rapid Eye Movies.
17-Feb-2011While US stars are pouring into China this year to work on co-productions and local projects, black comedy Inseparable can claim to be the first fully Chinese production to tap a major Hollywood actor.
Fortissimo to receive special award at 5th Asian Film Awards
11-Feb-2011The Asian Film Awards has announced that it will give a special award to Hong Kong and Amsterdam-based Fortissimo Films for its long-time promotion of Asian cinema.
India's digital warriors look overseas
10-Feb-2011Whilst racing to convert their home territory, India's digital cinema integrators, Scrabble and UFO Moviez, are planning to expand to other emerging markets.
Detective Dee, Assassins lead race for Hong Kong Film Awards
8-Feb-2011Tsui Hark's Detective Dee And The Mystery Of The Phantom Flame and Su Chao-Pin's Reign Of Assassins scooped the most nominations for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards with 13 and 11 nods apiece.
Net worth
7-Feb-2011With 450 million internet users and moves to tackle piracy, the online video market in China has huge potential. Liz Shackleton assesses a burgeoning market which is striking content deals with Hollywood
When East meets West
7-Feb-2011International film-makers are increasingly exploring Chinese co-productions — not least because it means a film can bypass the territory's import quotas. Liz Shackleton looks at the opportunities for co-producing with China
Internet pioneers
7-Feb-2011Liz Shackleton profiles China's major online players
Entering the dragon
7-Feb-2011The Chinese market may be booming, but with quotas very much in place it remains off-limits to many foreign films. Liz Shackleton explores the reality of releasing in China
The China hotlist, 2011-12
7-Feb-2011Liz Shackleton profiles some of the hottest new films coming out of China
Viacom 18 unveils new slate including Kashyap gangster musical
3-Feb-2011Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the new film division of India's Viacom 18 joint venture, has unveiled its slate for 2011, including Anurag Kashyap's two-part gangster musical, Gangs Of Wasseypur.
The glitch behind China's gold rush
27-Jan-2011Investment is pouring into Chinese films, but the industry still relies too heavily on big-budget costume epics, many of which are losing money.
India's Inox takes management control of Fame
26-Jan-2011Indian exhibitor Inox Leisure has taken management control of rival Fame India following a protracted takeover battle which was resolved earlier this month.
Mumbai film festival to take place October 13-20
25-Jan-2011The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has announced that the next edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will take place Oct 13-20.
Bullets, Confessions lead nominations for Asian Film Awards
20-Jan-2011Japanese drama Confessions, directed by Nakashima Tetsuya, and Jiang Wen's satirical action adventure Let The Bullets Fly topped the nominations for this year's Asian Film Awards (AFAs), with six nods apiece.
Sundance, Mahindra join forces on two filmmaking initiatives
20-Jan-2011India's Mahindra Group is tying up with the Sundance Institute to launch an annual Screenwriters Lab in India and the Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award.
Hong Kong film fest draws award-winning directors for Quattro
14-Jan-2011The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is planning a second omnibus project, Quattro Hong Kong 2, with short films directed by Thailand's Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the Philippines' Brillante Mendoza, Malaysia's Ho Yuhang and Hong Kong's Stanley Kwan.
Celestial movie channels to be carried by Indonesia's Skynindo
13-Jan-2011Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has signed carriage deals with Indonesia's Skynindo PT for its pay-TV channels Celestial Movies and Celestial Classic Movies.
Fox, China Lion to co-distribute Butcher in three territories
12-Jan-2011Fox International Productions (FIP) is teaming with China Lion Film Distribution to release Wuershan's The Butcher, The Chef And The Swordsman in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
Film shoots up in Thailand despite political unrest
10-Jan-2011Thailand's Department of Tourism has announced that the country earned $60m (baht1.8bn) from foreign shoots in 2010, doubling the $30m (baht900m) earned the previous year.
HAF unveils line-up of 28 projects
6-Jan-2011Hong Kong's Stanley Kwan and Death Note director Shusuke Kaneko from Japan are among the filmmakers who have had projects selected for this year's edition of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Hong Kong 2010 box office increases by 13%
6-Jan-2011Hong Kong's total box office grew by 13% to $172m (HK$1.34bn) in 2010, thanks to a strong line-up of 3D and other releases, according to local industry body the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA).
Egypt's New Wave
6-Jan-2011A new wave of Egyptian filmmakers came under the spotlight at the recent Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) – writers and directors who are working outside Egypt's major studios and tackling controversial subjects and themes.
6-Jan-2011Mumbai-based filmmaker Onir directed one of India's first crowdsourced films, I Am, and is developing his latest project through the NFDC's Screenwriters' Lab.
Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures expands into Taiwan
5-Jan-2011Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has appointed Jeffrey Soong as managing director of its newly opened Taiwan office.
AMR, FUNimation seal VoD partnership for North America
5-Jan-2011US-based VoD distributor Asian Media Rights (AMR) has sealed a distribution partnership with FUNimation Entertainment, which is the largest distributor of Japanese animation in North America.
Indian censors give Inshallah, Football an adult certificate
5-Jan-2011India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued an A (adult) certificate to Ashvin Kumar's Kashmir-set documentary Inshallah, Football, which its director and producer say effectively blocks its release in India.
Expanded Dubai Filmmart racks up more than 3,000 screenings
21-Dec-2010The Dubai International Film Festival's Dubai Filmmart has announced that 3,193 screenings took place through its popular Cinetech trading platform, and at least two major deals were concluded during the week-long event (Dec 12-19).
Stray Bullet, Screaming Man take top prizes at 7th Dubai fest
20-Dec-2010Stray Bullet from Lebanon's Georges Hachem took the first prize in the Muhr Arab competition at the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, while A Screaming Man was awarded the same honour in the Muhr AsiaAfrica section.
India's Scrabble Entertainment moves into the Middle East
17-Dec-2010India's Scrabble Entertainment has signed non–exclusive D-cinema deployment agreements with five US studios to roll out digital screens in the Middle East.
If You Are The One 2 to get US release on Dec 24
17-Dec-2010China Lion Film Distribution is to release Feng Xiaogang's If You Are The One 2 in North America simultaneously with its China release on December 24.
16-Dec-2010Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang recently started shooting his latest project, Headshot, a film noir about a hitman trying to forget his past.
Wild Side picks up French rights to Pen-ek's Headshot
16-Dec-2010Wild Side Films has acquired French rights to Headshot, the new film from acclaimed Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang.
China's digital future
15-Dec-2010Liz Shackleton examines how China is racing ahead of other markets in terms of digital delivery of film.
Dubai kicks off with Firth, Mulligan on the red carpet
13-Dec-2010Colin Firth, Carey Mulligan and a host of Arab stars walked the red carpet at the opening of the seventh Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) at the Madinat Jumeirah on Sunday night (Dec 12).
A new sphere
9-Dec-2010Launched at the AFM, the Hemisphere Media Capital fund is utilising Japanese partners to invest in studio films. Liz Shackleton talks to co-founder Jean-Luc De Fanti
Cracking the US market
9-Dec-2010At the recent AFM, there was a new breed of buyer seeking innovative means to bring Asian product to American audiences. Liz Shackleton investigates.
Park appointed to distribution role at Sony Pictures Television
9-Dec-2010Catherine Park, former head of sales at Korea's Sidus IHQ, has been appointed executive director, distribution, Asia Pacific for Sony Pictures Television (SPT).
Global Film Initiative unveils line-up for 2011 Global Lens
9-Dec-2010US-based Global Film Initiative (GFI) has announced the line-up of nine films that it has selected to headline the Global Lens 2011 film series.
Star Chinese Movies signs pay-TV deal with Huayi Brothers
6-Dec-2010Star Chinese Movies and Beijing-based Huayi Brothers have signed a deal under which Huayi will offer the channel exclusive cable TV, pay-per-view and VoD rights to its 2011 upcoming productions for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Yuet-fung Ho appointed as director of Asian Film Awards
2-Dec-2010The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has announced that Yuet-fung Ho has been appointed as director of the Asian Film Awards.
Singapore's Forever to receive double world premiere
1-Dec-2010Wee Li Lin's Forever will become the first Singaporean film to receive a double world premiere today (Dec 1) – screening at both the Jakarta and Cairo international film festivals.
Film Bazaar's fourth edition wraps with deals, awards
27-Nov-2010Umesh Kulkarni's Temple (Deool), a Marathi-language satire set in rural India, took the Hubert Bals award at the close of the fourth edition of India's Film Bazaar (Nov 23-26).
Locarno's Open Doors lab to focus on India in 2011
24-Nov-2010The Locarno Film Festival has announced that next year's Open Doors co-production lab will focus on India. The announcement was made by Locarno artistic director Olivier Pere and Nadia Dresti, head of the festivals' industry office, on the second day of Film Bazaar in Goa.
Celestial signs output deal with Distribution Workshop
23-Nov-2010Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures, which operates the Celestial Movies channel, has signed an output deal with sales agent Distribution Workshop for first-run pay-TV rights of its upcoming slate of Chinese movies.
India's NFDC unveils 18 projects for Film Bazaar
15-Nov-2010India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has unveiled the 18 projects that will take part in this year's Film Bazaar co-production market, including seven projects from other South Asian nations.
ACE to launch co-production lab at next year's HAF
15-Nov-2010Ateliers du Cinema European (ACE) and consultancy Sinapses Asia will launch the first ACE Co-production Lab Hong Kong at this year's Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Amanda Palmer
11-Nov-2010Amanda Palmer, executive director of the Doha Film Institute (DFI), talks about the second edition of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and how the DFI is supporting Arab filmmaking.
Toei takes Japanese rights to Korean hit The Man From Nowhere
8-Nov-2010Japan's Toei has acquired Korean hit The Man From Nowhere from Seoul-based M-Line Distribution which is handling Asian territories on the film.
KOFIC unveils new Korean film incentives
7-Nov-2010The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) unveiled its new location shooting and post-production incentives at a seminar at the AFM on Friday.
Buyers bark with Toei's Wasao
7-Nov-2010Japanese studio Toei has sold puppy drama Wasao to Hong Kong's Golden Scene, Taiwan's Catchplay and Encore Films for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Finecut takes on Poongsan
7-Nov-2010Seoul-based sales company Finecut has picked up international rights to Poongsan, directed by Juhn Jaihong and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Kim Ki-duk.
Mega-Vision makes sales debut with All About Love, Naked Soldier
7-Nov-2010Hong Kong's Mega-Vision Pictures (MVP), the production company founded by veteran producer Wong Jing, is making its debut as a sales company at the AFM.
Fortissimo hungry for Jiro Dreams of Sushi
7-Nov-2010Fortissimo Films has acquired all rights outside North America to David Gelb's food-themed documentary feature Jiro Dreams Of Sushi.
ScreenSingapore unveils details of inaugural event
7-Nov-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) and Singapore Airshow & Events have unveiled further details of inaugural film showcase, ScreenSingapore, to be held in the city-state next June.
Jackie Chan's 1911 sells to US, UK
6-Nov-2010Jackie Chan's Jackie & JJ Productions has sold historical epic 1911 to Well Go USA for North America and Showbox for the UK.
Fortissimo scares up Rabbit Horror
6-Nov-2010Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to Takashi Shimizu's 3D The Rabbit Horror.
Singapore's MDA launching $50m fund with CJ, Bang, AMTC
5-Nov-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) is launching a $50m film fund in partnership with Korea's CJ Entertainment, production company Bang Singapore and Singapore-based Asia Media & Technology Capital (AMTC).
Sex and Zen heats up AFM sales
5-Nov-2010Hong Kong producer Stephen Shiu's 3D Sex And Zen: Extreme Ecstasy is raising temperatures at the AFM just a few days after it wrapped in Hong Kong.
Bruce Lee, My Brother strikes slew of deals for Media Asia
5-Nov-2010Media Asia Distribution has sold Bruce Lee, My Brother, a biopic of the Hong Kong action legend, to a slew of territories including North America which was snapped up by The Weinstein Co.
Cultivating partners in India
5-Nov-2010India has historically not been an active co-producer, but some European producers are finding ways to work with local talent. On the eve of the Film Bazaar co-production forum (Nov 23-26), Liz Shackleton explores the realities of co-producing international features in India
Hollywood tries to bridge the gap between US-Japan content
5-Nov-2010Hollywood producers Don Murphy, Roy Lee (pictured) and Jason Hoffs gave advice on bridging the gap between the US and Japanese content industries at a seminar about adapting Japanese IP on Wednesday (November 3).
Twin Co in deal for Fortune Star library
5-Nov-2010The exclusive deal will cover more than 300 library titles.
Karate Girl kicks off slew of deals for T-Joy
5-Nov-2010Japan's T-Joy has clinched a string of deals on Karate Girl starring hot up-and-coming action star Takeda Rina.
CJ's Man From Nowhere travels to US
5-Nov-2010Korea's CJ Entertainment has sold US rights to The Man From Nowhere to Well Go USA.
IFTA gets financial boost for US film export, to launch Filmart Pavilion
4-Nov-2010The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) has been awarded $248,000 to boost the export of US films, starting with an American Pavilion at Hong Kong Filmart in 2011.
Wu Xia
4-Nov-2010Peter Ho-sun Chan talks about his first martial arts film as director, which also marks the first on-screen pairing of action hero Donnie Yen and heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Finecut sells I Saw The Devil to Japan, Germany
4-Nov-2010Korea's Finecut has sold Kim Jee-woon's grisly revenge thriller I Saw The Devil to Japan's Broadmedia Studios and Splendid Film for German-speaking Europe and Benelux.
We signs record setting deal for Wu Xia
4-Nov-2010We Distribution has sold Peter Ho-sun Chan's $20m Wu Xia to Luxuries Resources for both Singapore and Malaysia for a record-breaking seven-digit figure.
Fortissimo extends relationship with Jet Tone
4-Nov-2010Fortissimo Films and Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone Films have announced that Fortissimo chairman Michael J. Werner has boarded Wong's The Grandmasters as associate producer.
StudioCanal strikes Japanese deal for The Last Exorcism
4-Nov-2010StudioCanal has sold all Japanese rights on horror hit The Last Exorcism to Comstock Group.
Summit: US filmmakers need right partners in China
3-Nov-2010US producers aiming to work with China were advised to find the right partner and make films that Chinese audiences can relate to at the US-China Film Summit on Tuesday (Nov 2).
Golden Network Asia adds two to slate
3-Nov-2010Hong Kong-based Golden Network has added two projects to its AFM slate - Malaysian animated feature Seefood and Zhang Meng's The Piano In A Factory, which recently scooped the best actor prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
LaMolinara to direct Canada-Asia co-production Bubblegum Crisis
3-Nov-2010Anthony LaMolinara has been brought on board to direct Bubblegum Crisis – Knight Sabers, a Canada-Asian co-production which will be shot in 3D at China's Hengdian World Studios from May next year.
Double Edge boards Yip's Chinese Ghost Story
3-Nov-2010Taiwan-based Double Edge Entertainment has picked up North American rights to Wilson Yip's $20m A Chinese Ghost Story.
Doha panellists call for "CAA of the Arab world"
28-Oct-2010Panellists at the on-going Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) spoke of the need to create pan-Arab talent agencies as a key step in the development of a regional film industry.
Marie-Pierre Macia
28-Oct-2010The head of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival's Sanad fund talks about how the new initiative is supporting Arab filmmakers from across the region.
Dubai International Film Festival to open with The King's Speech
26-Oct-2010The King's Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, will open the 7th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on December 12.
Silent Souls, Rain take top prizes at Abu Dhabi's Black Pearl Awards
23-Oct-2010Silent Souls, from Russia's Aleksei Fedorchenko, won the award for best narrative film in the Black Pearl Awards at the close of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 14-23).
Gaga snatches Bodyguards And Assassins
22-Oct-2010Gaga Corporation has acquired Japanese rights to Teddy Chen's Bodyguards And Assassins, which will open China Film Week at the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) this week.
Abu Dhabi announces winners of Emirates and Short Film Competitions
22-Oct-2010Ahmed Zain's Gheamt Shroog won the first prize for best short narrative in this year's Emirates Competition, while Hadi Shuaib's The Queen took first prize in the best short documentary section.
Celestial signs output deal with Emperor Motion Pictures
22-Oct-2010Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed a multi-year output deal with Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), giving it exclusive first run pay-TV rights to screen EMP's upcoming slate on its Celestial Movies channel.
21-Oct-2010Chinese director Wuershan talks about martial arts comedy, The Butcher, The Chef And The Swordsman, which is the second Chinese-language project from Fox International Productions.
Co-production conundrum
21-Oct-2010A flurry of co-production treaties have been signed between Asian nations over the past few years, but are they really necessary? Liz Shackleton reports from last week's Asian Film Policy Forum in South Korea.
Rourke, Ho join cast of Hany Abu-Assad's The Courier
20-Oct-2010Mickey Rourke and Josie Ho have joined Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Til Schweiger in the cast of Arclight Films' action thriller The Courier which started shooting in Louisiana this week.
Cirkus Columbia, Majority win top prizes at Golden Orange
18-Oct-2010Danis Tanovic's Cirkus Columbia won best picture in the international competition of this year's Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (Oct 9-14), while Seren Yuce's Majority took best film in the national competition.
Hamdan, Kharsa split Shasha grant at close of Circle Conference
17-Oct-2010Dima Hamdan's The Kidnap and Kasem Kharsa's Shelter were chosen as the recipients of this year's Shasha Grant at the close of Abu Dhabi's Circle Conference (Oct 13-15).
China Lion roars into North America with Aftershock
15-Oct-2010Start-up company China Lion Film Distribution has entered into an exclusive partnership with US exhibitor AMC Entertainment to release Chinese movies in the North American market, starting with Feng Xiaogang's Aftershock.
Eleven Arts takes US rights to Treasure Hunter
13-Oct-2010LA-based Eleven Arts has acquired all US rights to Kevin Chu's The Treasure Hunter from Taiwan's Double Edge Entertainment.
Bee quits international sales post at Huayi Brothers
13-Oct-2010Felice Bee has quit has her position as director of international sales and co-productions at Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Media, effective October 15.
Asian filmmakers fly with film festival funds
12-Oct-2010Funds launched by international film festivals are becoming an important financing tool for filmmakers in Asia, with many films at the on-going Pusan fest backed by funds such as Hubert Bals and the World Cinema Fund (WCF).
Media Asia picks up world rights to Kidnapper
12-Oct-2010Hong Kong producer-distributor will also introduce $6m action thriller Wind Blast at the upcoming AFM.
Global stars attend 15th Pusan International Film Festival
8-Oct-2010Stars from most of the world's major film industries including Willem Dafoe, Juliette Binoche, Aishwarya Rai, Tang Wei and Jang Dong-gun turned out for the 15th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), the last to be officially presided over by festival director Kim Dong-ho.
Bollywood's boom and bust
7-Oct-2010Bollywood is officially in recovery, but unless it applies the brakes, it runs the risk of over-heating again quite soon.
Subhash Ghai
30-Sep-2010Bollywood producer Subhash Ghai talks to Screen about his plans to expand Mumbai-based film school, Whistling Woods, on an international level.
Hong Kong's OSGH invests in Legendary Pictures
28-Sep-2010Hong Kong's Orange Sky Golden Harvest (OSGH) is forging a partnership with LA-based Legendary Pictures to work on film and media ventures in mainland China.
Hong Kong, China announce foreign-language Oscar submissions
28-Sep-2010Hong Kong has selected Alex Law's Echoes Of The Rainbow, while China has picked Feng Xiaogang's box office hit Aftershock.
Kazakhstan steps up as international co-producer
27-Sep-2010Located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan is in the right geographical spot to become an international co-producer, and now with a burgeoning local film industry, it's developing the talent and the financing power too.
Light Thief strikes at Eurasia International Film Festival
26-Sep-2010The Light Thief, from Kyrgyzstan director Aktan Arym Kubat, was awarded best film and the FIPRESCI prize at the 6th edition of the Eurasia International Film Festival (Sep 21-25), which was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Chinese film libraries set for digital reboot
23-Sep-2010The shifting distribution models that have changed the library business globally may lead to a slightly more hopeful picture for the Chinese-speaking world.
Shaw to introduce digital IMAX to Singapore
16-Sep-2010Singapore's Shaw Theatres is set to open the territory's first digital IMAX screen when it reopens its flagship Lido Cineplex in April next year.
Cause, Picture Palace to co-produce Spottiswoode's First Class Man
15-Sep-2010Cause Entertainment, an Indian fund established to invest in socially conscious movies, has announced that its first project will be Roger Spottiswoode's A First Class Man, a biopic about Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Abu Dhabi unveils 28 recipients of Sanad film fund
15-Sep-2010The Abu Dhabi Film Festival has announced the first round of grant recipients for its Sanad film fund for Arab filmmakers.
Kam to replace Chia as CEO of Singapore's MDA
13-Sep-2010Singapore's Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) has announced that Dr Christopher Chia is stepping down from his position as CEO of the Media Development Authority (MDA).
Easternlight takes on Malaysian action drama Bunga Lalang
12-Sep-2010Arclight Films' Asian division Easternlight has picked up Malaysian action drama Bunga Lalang, directed by Dain Iskandar Said and produced by Convergence Entertainment and Malaysia's Apparat.
Easternlight shines for Chen Kaige's epic Sacrifice
10-Sep-2010Easternlight Films has acquired worldwide rights excluding China and Japan to Sacrifice, the new film from Chinese auteur Chen Kaige.
Kiran Rao
9-Sep-2010Mumbai-based filmmaker Kiran Rao talks about her directorial debut, Dhobi Ghat, which is receiving its world premiere inToronto.
Mongolia to hold first ever film forum and festival
9-Sep-2010The Arts Council of Mongolia (ACM) is set to host the inaugural East Meets West Film Forum and Festival in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar from October 5-8.
Hong Kong's Celestial appoints Zhao as China managing director
9-Sep-2010Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has appointed Gillian Zhao Fang as managing director, China.
Upcoming Bollywood releases
6-Sep-2010Liz Shackleton profiles a selection of the hottest upcoming Hindi-language titles
A Hollywood beginning
6-Sep-2010Encouraged by the potential of the Indian market, US studios are becoming more involved in local-language production. Liz Shackleton explores the realities of producing in India and profiles the current players
Big's global ambition
6-Sep-2010Reliance Big Entertainment, headed by Amit Khanna, has been investing heavily in the film business at home and overseas. He talks to Liz Shackleton about the base for growth
The real India
6-Sep-2010A string of high-profile deals in recent years made India look like it was shaping up to become Hollywood's financial saviour. But against a global climate of financial uncertainty, the territory's major players are turning their focus back onto their local market. Liz Shackleton reports
Jan de Bont to direct Zhang Ziyi in Mulan
6-Sep-2010Jan de Bont has signed on to direct live-action epic adventure Mulan starring Zhang Ziyi, which is scheduled to start shooting at China's Hengdian studios this autumn.
Warner Bros to release CG animation Ramayana in India
3-Sep-2010Warner Bros has picked up Indian rights to locally-produced CG animated feature Ramayana The Epic and plans to release it across the country on October 15.
Garcia appointed executive director of Hong Kong film festival
2-Sep-2010The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has appointed Roger Garcia as executive director, effective from the end of September.
Campion to head jury of Mumbai Film Festival
1-Sep-2010Jane Campion will head the jury of this year's Mumbai Film Festival, which is scheduled to run from October 21-28.
PRIMEXCHANGE to hold second forum in Warsaw, Goa
31-Aug-2010Germany's PrimeHouse will hold the second edition of its Indo-European project packaging forum PRIMEXCHANGE in Warsaw and during Film Bazaar in the Indian state of Goa.
Woo's Flying Tigers to be shot in IMAX format
30-Aug-2010John Woo and producer Terence Chang's upcoming action epic Flying Tigers will be digitally re-mastered into the IMAX format, marking IMAX Corporation's second release in China following blockbuster Aftershock.
Tribute: Colette Koo
25-Aug-2010Hong Kong film producer and night club owner Colette Koo died on Monday, aged 50, following complications related to cancer.
Chang joins board of Hong Kong International Film Festival
25-Aug-2010Taiwanese actress and filmmaker Sylvia Chang has joined the board of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) in the role of vice chairman.
Chan set to shoot Wu Xia starring Yen, Kaneshiro
25-Aug-2010Hong Kong's Peter Ho-sun Chan is set to start shooting $20m action thriller Wu Xia, starring Donnie Yen, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Chinese actress Tang Wei.
Tomson Group launches Hong Kong distribution outfit
20-Aug-2010Veteran producer-turned-property developer Hsu Feng is making a return to the film business by establishing a Hong Kong-based company, Tomson International Entertainment Distribution, which will initially focus on theatrical distribution.
NETPAC celebrates 20th anniversary with Imaging Asia
19-Aug-2010The Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a five-day film festival and conference (Aug 18-22), Imaging Asia, which kicked off in Delhi today.
MDA unveils dates for inaugural ScreenSingapore
16-Aug-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has confirmed that the inaugural ScreenSingapore event will be held from June 5-12, 2011, with the trade exhibition section scheduled to run from June 7-9.
Haifaa Al Mansour
5-Aug-2010Saudi-born filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour talks about her upcoming feature debut Wajda, which was awarded the $100,000 Shasha Grant at the Circle Conference in Abu Dhabi last year.
Reign Of Assassins
5-Aug-2010Currently in post production, John Woo and Su Chao-pin's martial arts action thriller Reign Of Assassins stars Michelle Yeoh as a retired female assassin whose past returns to haunt her.The film will have its world premiere at Venice.
The start of something Big
30-Jul-2010The 2009 deal between Reliance Big Entertainment and DreamWorks marked a major new alliance between India and Hollywood. Reliance chairman Amit Khanna tells Liz Shackleton about the company's global ambitions
Disney to handle video distribution of UTV titles
27-Jul-2010The Walt Disney Company India has signed an agreement with UTV Motion Pictures under which it will handle home entertainment distribution for some key titles from UTV.
Sharma launches international sales outfit for Indian films
26-Jul-2010Former Reliance Big Pictures and Yash Raj Films executive Jawahar Sharma has launched a sales outfit in partnership with Cinergy Productions to handle international distribution of Indian films.
China, Singapore sign co-production agreement
23-Jul-2010China and Singapore have signed a film co-production agreement which covers feature films and telemovies across live-action, animation and documentaries.
India races to restore its film classics
22-Jul-2010India is renowned for having one of the world's most prolific film industries, but it's only in the last couple of years that the country has started to think seriously about preserving its cinematic heritage.
Bollywood gets serious
22-Jul-2010Mumbai's mainstream film industry is starting to mix serious subject matter with commercial elements for some interesting results, Liz Shackleton writes.
Leung, Chung join cast of Bruce Lee, My Brother
22-Jul-2010Tony Leung Ka-fai and Christie Chung have joined the cast of Hong Kong studio Media Asia Film's Bruce Lee, My Brother, which is being made to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the late action star's birthday.
Metan enters into strategic relationship with China's Ruyi Film
22-Jul-2010Los Angeles-based Metan Development Group has entered into a strategic relationship with China's Beijing Ruyi Xinxin Film Investment Company under which they will work together on film and TV projects.
Shin to direct Hong Kong sci-fi epic Future Fighters
22-Jul-2010Korean filmmaker and animation producer Nelson Shin has boarded $10m 3D sci-fi epic Future Fighters, with Hong Kong's Ken Siu as assistant director.
Pre-production of Buddha biopic placed on hold
19-Jul-2010Financier Dr. BK Modi and director Ashutosh Gowariker have announced that they've placed pre-production of their big-budget biopic Buddha on hold as they haven't been able to find the right face to play the young Buddha.
Viacom 18 considers takeover of The Indian Film Company
6-Jul-2010Viacom 18, the 50:50 joint venture between Viacom Inc and India's IBN18, is considering making a voluntary offer to buy out film investment fund The Indian Film Company (TIFC), which is listed on the London-based Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Vietnam competition authorities announce probe into MegaStar
1-Jul-2010The Vietnam Competition Authority (VCA) has announced that it is officially investigating a class action law suit brought against distributor-exhibitor MegaStar Media by six local cinema operators.
Wayne Borg
1-Jul-2010The COO of Abu Dhabi's twofour54 talks about his ambitions for the media zone, and what makes it different from other entertainment organisations.
Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen
1-Jul-2010Currently in post-production, Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen is one of Asia's most highly-anticipated late summer releases.
Indian film's tender shoots
1-Jul-2010Against a backdrop of social and economic change, Indian cinema has started to diversify. But it will take more time for India's new wave of film-makers to compete at an international level
Beyond China's Borders
25-Jun-2010Liz Shackleton argues that the Chinese film industry can't overlook the usefulness of Hollywood and the international film business.
Thailand's Extra Virgin revives arthouse distribution project
25-Jun-2010Thai producer-distributor Extra Virgin and the independent film community have revived the Director's Screen project which aims to give commercial releases to local and international arthouse films in Bangkok.
The sky's the limit
22-Jun-2010Ross Pollack, the new CEO of Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures is looking to build the company brand and exploit its Shaw Brothers library digitally.
Hong Kong's Media Asia set to produce Bruce Lee biopic
21-Jun-2010Media Asia Films has announced that it is producing a $4.5m (HK$35m) film about martial arts legend Bruce Lee, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the late star's birthday.
IMAX, Major sign deal for five theatres in Thailand
21-Jun-2010IMAX Corp has signed a deal with leading Thai exhibitor Major Cineplex to install five IMAX digital theatres in Thailand, starting with two in Bangkok.
Thailand picks up the pieces
17-Jun-2010Thailand's film business suffered during the country's civil unrest — and at least one arthouse cinema shuttered — but the situation is now getting back to normal, Liz Shackleton reports.
Hong Kong's OSGH, Cyberport join venture to screen 3D World Cup
17-Jun-2010Hong Kong exhibitor Orange Sky Golden Harvest (OSGH) has teamed with local partners to screen live 3D broadcasts of World Cup matches in its cinemas starting on June 18.
Eros teams with Vistaar Religare to co-produce Mausam
14-Jun-2010India's Eros International is teaming with local film fund Vistaar Religare and production house Cinergy to co-produce love story Mausam starring Shahid Kapur and Sonam Kapoor.
The Weinstein Company picks up Woo's Reign Of Assassins
11-Jun-2010The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired North American and South African rights to upcoming martial arts blockbuster Reign Of Assassins, produced by John Woo and starring Michelle Yeoh.
Imagenation, ADFC launch internship programme
8-Jun-2010Imagenation Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission have jointly launched an internship programme, Mawaheb, which offers Emirati student filmmakers the chance to gain hands-on experience overseas.
Film Auckland, China Film Association sign agreement
8-Jun-2010New Zealand-based industry organisation Film Auckland and the China Film Association have signed a memorandum of understanding designed to form a closer working relationship between the two countries.
MDA appoints organiser for ScreenSingapore event
3-Jun-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has appointed Singapore Airshow & Events as the official organiser for its recently-announced international cinema event ScreenSingapore.
Media Asia's Legend Of The Fist sells to 18 territories
1-Jun-2010Hong Kong's Media Asia Films has wrapped up 18 deals on Andrew Lau's Legend Of The Fist: The Return Of Chen Zhen, starring hot action star Donnie Yen, after screening 11 minutes of footage during Cannes.
Thailand's GTH pre-sells Knowing Me Knowing You
22-May-2010Thai producer-distributor GMM Tai Hub (GTH) has scored an early pre-sale on romantic comedy Knowing Me Knowing You, which has been acquired by Queen Film for Indonesia.
Brave new world for Chinese cinema
20-May-2010Chinese movies have not been as widely distributed to diaspora communities as Indian cinema but New Zealand distributor SkyCity Cinemas is succeeding in enticing overseas Chinese back to the cinema by investing in new films and day-and-date releases.
Splendid, Stars take The Showdown
20-May-2010The Korean company has completed deals on action thriller The Showdown and drama Wedding Dress.
Dubai Film Connection expands awards for 2010
19-May-2010The Dubai International Film Festival's projects market has added an award for a first-time film-maker.
Kites flies with sales for IM Global
19-May-2010Both the English and original Hindi version of the film have done brisk
Odin's Eye strikes UK deal for Damned By Dawn
19-May-2010The horror flick has also been sold in the Middle East and Indonesia.
Image Forum, Bewiz launch new Japanese promo organisation
19-May-2010The new body will promote local films abroad, coordinate showcases and collaborate with foreign organisations on cultural events.
NTV strikes Gantz deals
19-May-2010The Japanese outfit has closed a raft of territories on Shinsuke Sato's Gantz.
Reliance MediaWorks expands London offerings
18-May-2010Reliance MediaWorks, the film services arm of India's Reliance ADA group, has expanded its lab capacity in London so it can handle feature film work.
The Housemaid cleans up for Mirovision
18-May-2010Seoul-based producer and sales agent Mirovision has closed a slew of deals on Im Sang-soo's The Housemaid.
Fortissimo strikes slate deal with MDA
17-May-2010The development initiative will support up to five projects in its first year.
Venice to honour Mani Ratnam
17-May-2010The 67th Venice Film Festival, which runs September 1-11, will pay tribute to Indian film-maker Mani Ratman (pictured).
Finecut books trio of deals on Competition title Poetry
17-May-2010The film has gone to Golem Distribucion for Spain and Andorra, MCF MegaCom Film for ex-Yugoslavia and Khan Entertainment for Taiwan.
Toei plans 3D version of cult thriller Battle Royale
17-May-2010The 3D version of the original will be ready for market screenings in October and released in Japan on November 20.
Buyers strike for M-Line's Blades
17-May-2010Lee Joon-ik's (pictured) epic action title Blades Of Blood sells to a raft of territories including the UK and Thailand.
Dubai pacts with Lebanese doc group
17-May-2010The festival will provide support in bid to strengthen Lebanese documentary film-making.
Fortune Star sells package deals
17-May-2010The company closes sales on two packages of library titles, including Johnnie To's Running Out Of Time (pictured) and John Woo's Hitman.
Vietnam plans first film festival for October
17-May-2010The Northern city of Hanoi will host the country's first film festival this October.
Qatar unveils umbrella organisation Doha Film Institute
16-May-2010The state of Qatar launched the Doha Film Institute (DFI), an umbrella organisation to oversee its various film-related activities, in Cannes yesterday.
Finecut signs two new output deals
16-May-2010The Seoul based sales agent has signed with two Korean companies.
Global One takes Hindi remake rights to Alone
16-May-2010Parkpoom Wongpoom's 2007 film was a hit across Asia.
Indonesia in Cannes to entice more foreign productions
16-May-2010The country recently hosted Plan B Entertainment's Eat Pray Love (pictured) starring Julia Roberts.
Swarovski moves into film with Shekhar Kapur's Paani
15-May-2010Swarovski Entertainment, the newly-launched film arm of the luxury crystal brand, and India's Walkwater Media have boarded Shekhar Kapur's (picture) passion project Paani (Water).
Chinese pop star Cui Jian plans to direct for Beijing Antaeus
15-May-2010The Chinese outfit reveals packed Cannes slate, including the debut film from China's rock father Cui Jian.
Imagenation unveils first Emirati production
15-May-2010The company has developed, financed and produced Sea Shadow, to be directed by Nawaf-Al-Janahi.
MDA strikes four-year partnership with Tiger Gate
14-May-2010The slate of projects, which are intended for both theatrical and TV distribution, will be jointly selected and financed by Tiger Gate and the MDA.
Big-budget 3D trilogy planned for China's Creation of the Gods
14-May-2010Beijing-based financier Baiyi Chen, Shanghai's Dream Tube Entertainment and Taiwan-based producer Steve Chicorel are joining forces for the project.
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Kristin Kreuk join Iwai Shunji's Vampire
14-May-2010A hot cast of young Western stars has joined Vampire, the English-language debut of Japanese director Iwai Shunji, including Keisha Castle-Hughes (pictured) and Rachael Leigh Cook.
Indian fund Cause aims to raise $45 for socially conscious films
14-May-2010Mumbai-based financial services company DM Capital Advisors is launching a venture capital fund, Cause Entertainment (CE), to invest in socially conscious movies.
Sunstone warms to Teen Patti
14-May-2010Mumbai-based Sunstone Entertainment has picked up international rights to Teen Patti starring Ben Kingsley and Amitabh Bachchan.
Dubai Film Market counts $2m in deals from 2009 market
13-May-2010The market reveals distribution deals worth $2m (AED7.3m) following its 2009 edition, including Shoreline's acquisition of City Of Life.
Singapore to launch new international film showcase in June 2011
13-May-2010Singapore is gearing up to launch an international cinema event, ScreenSingapore, to showcase Hollywood and Asian cinema, starting in June 2011.
Fox Searchlight strikes US deal for Wang's Snow Flower
13-May-2010Gianna Jun and Li Bing Bing star in the adaptation of Lisa See's bestseller about female friendship in 19th century China.
Finecut sells I Saw The Devil to France's ARP
13-May-2010The film is currently in production and scheduled for Korean release in summer this year. Finecut is showing 12 minutes footage of the film here at Cannes.
India's Avinaash Jumani starts PictureWorks
13-May-2010WEG India sales chief Avinaash Jumani has launched a new company, PictureWorks, to acquire world cinema content for India and produce and sell Bollywood films.
Kong's Edko sells Life Is A Miracle
13-May-2010Bill Kong's Edko Films is launching international sales on award-winning Chinese director Gu Changwei's Life Is A Miracle, starring Zhang Ziyi and Aaron Kwok, here at Cannes. Set in a small Chinese village, where an illicit trade in human blood has resulted in the spread of HIV, the film follows two fellow AIDS sufferers, played by Zhang and Kwok, who fall in love with each other. Produced by China's Stellar Megamedia and Beijing Forbidden City Film Co, the film ...
Japan's Gaga Corp announces slew of acquisitions
12-May-2010Japanese distributor Gaga Corporation has announced a slew of acquisitions made since last September, including Buried, directed by Rodrigo Cortes, Sam Taylor Wood's Nowhere Boy and Tom Ford's A Single Man.
Finecut sets buyers blazing on 71: Into The Fire
12-May-2010South Korean sales agent Finecut has pre-sold John H. Lee's big-budget war drama 71: Into The Fireto Ascot Elite for German-speaking Europe and Benelux.
Heather Graham joins 3D animated adventure The Flying Machine
12-May-2010Beijing-based Bona International Film Group has also boarded the project as co-producer alongside Polish animation studio Breakthru.
Bladesman cuts to Easternlight
12-May-2010Hong Kong based Easternlight Films has picked up international rights to Alan Mak and Felix Chong's The Lost Bladesman.
Fortissimo pacts with Fox International Productions
11-May-2010The first two titles under the deal will be Italian-language production Vallanzasca, directed by Michele Placido, and Russian-language Alien Girl, directed by Anton Barmatov.
MDA unveils Cannes slate of 25 Singapore productions
6-May-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) will be promoting a slate of 25 new locally-produced films at the upcoming Cannes market, a 25% increase on last year's slate, highlighting the growing production volume of the city state.
Sidus FNH picks up worldwide rights to The Showdown
4-May-2010South Korea's Sidus FNH has picked up worldwide rights to The Showdown, a period action thriller produced by Bidangil Pictures whose credits include The Chaser.
Gowariker launches online search to find Buddha
29-Apr-2010Ashutosh Gowariker, the Indian filmmaker who is set to direct the upcoming biopic Buddha, has launched a global online audition to find a fresh face to play the role of the young Buddha.
Tiger Gate channels launch in Hong Kong, Singapore
28-Apr-2010Hong Kong-based Tiger Gate Entertainment has secured distribution for its action channel KIX and thriller/horror channel Thrill in both Hong Kong and Singapore.
iDream adds Banerjee's LSD, Panda's I Am Kalam to Cannes slate
27-Apr-2010London and Mumbai-based iDream Independent Pictures has pick up international rights to Nila Madhab Panda's I Am Kalam and Dibakar Banerjee's recent break-out hit LSD: Love Sex Aur Dhokha.
Survey shows Hong Kong support for warnings from ISPs
27-Apr-2010A survey has found that 82% of Hong Kong internet users would be likely to stop illegal file-sharing after receiving a warning from their internet service providers (ISPs).
Sex Volunteer takes top prizes at Singapore's Silver Screen Awards
26-Apr-2010Korean drama Sex Volunteer, directed by Cho Kyeong-duk, was awarded best film and best director in the Asian feature competition of the Silver Screen Awards at this year's Singapore International Film Festival.
Senn Moses
22-Apr-2010The managing director of Cimarron Group Asia talks to Liz Shackleton about introducing aspects of Western-style marketing to Asia.
Bodyguards, Echoes dominate Hong Kong Film Awards
19-Apr-2010Teddy Chen's action thriller Bodyguards And Assassins scooped this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, winning eight prizes from its 18 nominations, although the much smaller drama Echoes Of The Rainbow also put up a brave fight by taking four awards.
Hong Kong's Celestial signs two-picture deal with Teddy Chen
19-Apr-2010Celestial Pictures has kick-started its move back into production by signing a deal with filmmaker Teddy Chen (Bodyguards And Assassins) who will direct and produce two features films for the Hong Kong studio.
A tale of three cities
16-Apr-2010The rise of mainland China as a massive market could have stubbed out originality across Chinese-speaking Asia, but production centres in Taipei and Hong Kong have ensured diversity and fresh vision.
Panorama scores deal to bring 3D World Cup to Asian cinemas
14-Apr-2010Hong Kong-based Panorama Entertainment Group has secured a deal to bring live 3D broadcasts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to cinemas and select venues across Asia.
Singapore's MDA, Fremantle partner for animation fund
12-Apr-2010Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has launched a fund for animated TV series, telemovies and theatrical features in partnership with FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Indies can skyrocket with CG animation
8-Apr-2010One area where independent producers can carve a niche, and occasionally even trump the studios, is computer-generated animation.
Hong Kong's box office booms, driven by 3D
8-Apr-2010Hong Kong's box office grew 29% in the first quarter of 2010, thanks to films like Avatar as well as new multiplex openings.
Lionsgate, Saban form joint venture to expand Tiger Gate
6-Apr-2010Private equity player Saban Capital Group has formed a 50:50 partnership with Lionsgate to operate and manage Hong Kong-based film and TV venture Tiger Gate.
Hong Kong International Film Festival chooses the High Life
31-Mar-2010Zhao Dayong's The High Life picked up both the Silver Digital Award the FIPRESCI prize at the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), while the Golden Digital Award went to Yang Heng's Sun Spots.
Mama Eve takes inaugural Wouter Barendrecht Award
24-Mar-2010Kit Hung's Mama Eve became the first recipient of the Wouter Barendrecht Award at the close of the 8th Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Mandarin scores North American deal on Ip Man duo
24-Mar-2010Hong Kong's Mandarin Films has sold North American rights to Ip Man and its sequel Ip Man 2 to Well Go USA Inc.
Star signs carriage deal with TMNet
24-Mar-2010Star Greater China has signed a multi-year non-exclusive distribution deal with Malaysian IPTV platform TM Net.
Hong Kong ramps up 3D production
24-Mar-2010Hong Kong filmmakers and post-production professionals discussed the challenges that the territory faces in embracing 3D production at a Filmart conference on Tuesday (March 23).
Ning Hao Lands at Fortissimo
24-Mar-2010Fortissimo Films has picked up Chinese director Ning Hao's highly-anticipated road movie No Man's Land, starring Yu Nan (Tuya's Marriage) and rising mainland actor Huang Bo (pictured).
Media Asia unveils Johnnie To, Gao Qunshu projects
24-Mar-2010Hong Kong's Media Asia Films announced a packed slate of productions at Filmart, including a romantic comedy from Johnnie To (pictured) and Wai Ka-fai, and a new project from The Message director Gao Qunshu.
Cut and thrust
23-Mar-2010With some sophisticated CGI houses and a world-class studio facility, Hong Kong's services sector is one of the strongest in the region. Liz Shackleton reports
Iwai speaks English with Fortissimo
23-Mar-2010Fortissimo Films has acquired the first English-language feature from acclaimed Japanese director Shunji Iwai, whose credits include Love Letter and April Story.
Korea's Mother tops Asian Film Awards
23-Mar-2010Korean thriller Mother, directed by Bong Joon-ho, scooped three awards including best film, best screenwriter and best actress for Kim Hye-ja's performance at the 4th Asian Film Awards (AFAs) on Monday night.
Greenwood to score Tran Anh Hung's Norwegian Wood
23-Mar-2010Jonny Greenwood, the BAFTA and Grammy-nominated musician and member of rock band Radiohead, will compose the soundtrack to Tran Anh Hung's upcoming Norwegian Wood.
Star sells 20 to Malaysian broadcaster
23-Mar-2010Regional broadcaster Star has sold a package of 20 titles from its Fortune Star movie library to Malaysian broadcaster Media Prima Berhad.
AON/Ruben makes push into Asia market
23-Mar-2010US entertainment insurance broker AON/Albert G. Ruben is making an aggressive push into the Asian market to tap into the region's booming production industries.
Chan, Tong plot Yuefai TV series
22-Mar-2010Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong are planning to produce a 30-part international TV series based on the life of Chinese war hero Yuefei.
Geddes donates Chinese film haul to Toronto University
22-Mar-2010Chinese cinema history has received a shot in the arm with the donation of more than 400 Hong Kong and Taiwanese feature films and trailers, collected by curator and festival programmer Colin Geddes, to the University of Toronto.
Yun's Homerun corrals hot Asian talent in debut slate
22-Mar-2010Former Raintree Pictures head Daniel Yun has unveiled the debut slate of his new venture, Homerun Asia, including collaborations with leading filmmakers such as Peter Chan, Terence Chang and John Woo, and Australia's Tony Ayres.
Fortissimo Films gets Wasted
22-Mar-2010Fortissimo Films has picked up Australian high school drama Wasted On The Young, the debut feature from hot up-and-coming director Ben C. Lucas.
Distribution Workshop lands What Women Want
22-Mar-2010Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop is handling international sales on Chen Daming's Chinese remake of Paramount romantic comedy What Women Want, which is set to star Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing (pictured).
Hong Kong's Anyplex signs VoD deal with Sony
22-Mar-2010Hong Kong video-on-demand (VoD) service Anyplex has signed a content licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT), covering blockbuster titles such as 2012,Michael Jackson's This Is It and Angels & Demons.
Hyde Park Imagenation hires two for Asia, Middle East
22-Mar-2010Hyde Park Imagenation, the joint venture between Imagenation Abu Dhabi and LA-based Hyde Park Entertainment, has hired two Asia-based creative executives, Jason Mirch and Yee Yeo Chang.
Gateway to opportunity
19-Mar-2010Against the backdrop of an astounding boom in China's box office, Hong Kong Filmart (March 22-25) is a key place to do business in Asia. Liz Shackleton profiles this year's event, and the financing forum and festival which run alongside it
Hong Kong International film festival and other expo events
18-Mar-2010This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival has a strong emphasis on local cinema.
Hong Kong turns up the volume
18-Mar-2010On the eve of the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival and Filmart, Liz Shackleton looks at whether the current surge in Hong Kong cinema really amounts to a revival.
Tony Chan & Wing Shya
18-Mar-2010The co-directors of Fox's first Chinese-language production Hot Summer Days talk about making a studio film and the challenges posed by the weather.
Mao's Last Dancer to open Singapore film festival
18-Mar-2010This year's Singapore International Film Festival (April 15-24) will open with Mao's Last Dancer, directed by Bruce Beresford.
AFAs to present Bachchan with Lifetime Achievement Award
12-Mar-2010Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Asian Film Awards.
Disney enters production for Southern Indian audiences
12-Mar-2010The Walt Disney Company Indiais shooting a Telugu-language epic fantasy adventure, which marks the studio's first production aimed at Southern Indian audiences.
Singapore Film Commission awards funding to four projects
3-Mar-2010The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has awarded funding to four projects under its New Feature Film Fund for local directors, including Endless Day from Ho Tzu Nyen, whose feature debut Here screened in Directors' Fortnight at Cannes.
Hong Kong film festival reveals 2010 line-up
25-Feb-2010The Hong Kong International Film Festival has revealed a strong line-up of local titles for this year edition, which opens on March 21.
HAF pays tribute to Wouter Barendrecht with new award
25-Feb-2010The Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum dedicates new award to the memory Wouter Barendrecht, who passed away last year.
Hong Kong Filmart launches documentary market
2-Feb-2010Hong Kong Filmart is launching a three-day documentary event at this year's edition.
Hitting a Homerun
8-Jan-2010Daniel Yun is galvanising the Singapore film community with his latest venture — Homerun Pictures. He tell Liz Shackleton how he is setting up film funds with China and Australia and launching an international sales outfit
Singapore's Zhao Wei Films builds Sandcastle
23-Dec-2009Singaporean production outfit Zhao Wei Films, founded by filmmaker Eric Khoo and James Toh, is set to start shooting Sandcastle, the debut feature from award-winning shorts director Boo Junfeng (pictured), on Jan 2, 2010.
WTO rejects China's appeal against opening its film market
23-Dec-2009The World Trade Organization (WTO) has rejected China's appeal against a ruling that it must stop forcing US content owners to use state-owned companies to distribute movies and books.
Worlds apart but moving closer
17-Dec-2009While a gulf still exists between India's overtly commercial and star-driven film industry and its European counterpart, there are signs that producers from both regions are looking for ways to secure crossover success.
IIFAs to be held in Toronto in 2011
10-Dec-2009The organisers of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFAs) have announced that the 2011 edition of the event will be held in Toronto, marking the first time that the Bollywood awards show has been held in North America.
GDC announces slew of 3D deals at close of CineAsia
10-Dec-2009Digital cinema provider GDC Technology announced a slew of deals to equip Asian exhibitors with 3D technology, provided by RealD, as the three-day CineAsia conference drew to a close.
Hong Kong's Golden Scene joins the Break-up Club
9-Dec-2009Hong Kong sales and distribution outfit Golden Scene has picked up international rights to Barbara Wong Chun-chun's upcoming docu-drama Break-up Club.
CineAsia opens with focus on mainland China's growth
9-Dec-2009The CineAsia distribution and exhibition conference got underway in Hong Kong on Tuesday, with a focus on multiplex development and the rollout of d-cinema systems in the mainland China market, which is currently enjoying 40% box office growth.
Reliance, In-Three team for 3D conversions
7-Dec-2009India's Reliance MediaWorks, owned by the Reliance ADA group, has partnered with California-based In-Three to establish a facility in Mumbai to convert 2D films and videos into 3D.
Twosome takes Hubert Bals award at busy Film Bazaar
27-Nov-2009Siddharth Sinha's Hindi-language drama Twosome picked up the Hubert Bals award for most promising feature film project at the close of a busy three days of networking and project meetings at India's Film Bazaar (Nov 24-26).
The Asian dimension
27-Nov-2009On the eve of this year's CineAsia in Hong Kong (Dec 8-10), Liz Shackleton asks if the imminent release of 20th Century Fox's epic Avatar can jumpstart the rollout of 3D in Asia and help stem the tide of piracy
Film Bazaar focuses on packaging, digital distribution
24-Nov-2009The third edition of Film Bazaar kicked off in Goa on Tuesday (Nov 24), with delegates discussing how to package projects for both India and European markets, and how Indian filmmakers can increase revenues by exploiting digital rights.
Mo Tzu Yi joins cast of Singaporean comedy Forever
24-Nov-2009Rising Taiwanese star Mo Tzu Yi is heading the cast of Singaporean director Wee Li Lin's (pictured) romantic comedy Forever, which started shooting in Singapore this week.
India's indies set global goals
19-Nov-2009It is too early to talk of an Indian film wave, but certain indie titles from the country are gaining recognition among international buyers. Liz Shackleton looks at the challenges they face in finding a global audience.
Meeting at the crossroads
19-Nov-2009Film Bazaar in Goa, which takes place this week, is where the independent indian cinema sector meets the international film industry. Liz Shackleton takes a look at what is on offer.
Chin Han joins cast of Gus Van Sant's next project
16-Nov-2009Singaporean actor Chin Han has joined Mia Wasikowska, Henry Hopper and Ryo Case in the cast of Gus Van Sant's next as-yet-untitled project, which is being produced by Imagine Entertainment and Columbia Pictures.
Dadi seals Asian deals on $23m biopic Confucius
9-Nov-2009China's Dadi Entertainment has wrapped up a string of Asian deals on its $23m biopic Confucius, including sales to Korea's J.L. International, Thailand's Sahamongkol and Singapore's Cathay Keris Films.
Cinetic, Phase 4 tie up rights for Salute from Odin's Eye
9-Nov-2009Odin's Eye Entertainment has signed separate deals with Cinetic Media and Phase 4 for North American rights to award-winning documentary Salute, chronicling the story behind the iconic black power salute.
Huayi Brothers boards EMP's Stool Pigeon
8-Nov-2009Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Media Corporation has boarded Dante Lam's The Stool Pigeon, produced by Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), as an equity partner.
Toei pre-sells Memoirs to Hong Kong
7-Nov-2009Japanese studio Toei has pre-sold US-Japan co-production Memoirs Of A Teenage Amnesiac to Hong Kong distributor Golden Scene.
Distribution Workshop adds Monga to AFM slate
7-Nov-2009Hong Kong's Distribution Workshop has picked up international rights to Monga, an edgy gangster drama from Taiwanese actor turned director "Doze" Niu Chen-zer.
Margate House debuts with Indonesian epic
7-Nov-2009Jakarta-based production company Margate House is making its AFM debut to launch sales on Indonesia's biggest ever production – $6m trilogy Merah Putih, about Indonesia's fight for independence.
Showbox sells Take Off to Japan's Amuse Soft
7-Nov-2009Korea's Showbox Mediplex has scored a Japanese deal on local box office smash Take Off, which was snapped up by Amuse Soft Entertainment.
United, M-Line seal German, Asian deals on Woochi
7-Nov-2009South Korea's United Pictures and M-Line Distribution have pre-sold $12m action fantasy Woochi to Splendid for Germany and Benelux and Viscom Suraya for Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Singapore's Mega Media to co-finance Floating Life
7-Nov-2009Vietnam Media Corp has secured financing from Singapore's Mega Media for its upcoming drama The Immense Floating Life, which is set to be one of Vietnam's biggest productions in 2010.
Antichrist gets Enlightened deal for home video in India
6-Nov-2009India's Enlighten Film Society has bought home video rights to Lars von Trier's Antichrist at the Reliance Big Entertainment-backed Mumbai Film Festival (MFF) which closed on Nov 5.
Fortissimo strikes up partnership with CJ Entertainment
6-Nov-2009Fortissimo Films has entered into a strategic partnership with Korea's CJ Entertainment that covers co-production and library sales, and gives CJ a first-look deal for Fortissimo's upcoming titles.
We Distribution sells Bodyguards to E1, CJ
6-Nov-2009Hong Kong's We Distribution has sold Cinema Popular's $23m action thriller Bodyguard & Assassins to E1 Entertainment for the UK and Canada, CJ Entertainment for Korea and Gulf Films for the Middle East.
MDA unveils first project from International Film Fund
6-Nov-2009Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has announced the first project under its International Film Fund (IFF), a Singapore-China-Korea co-production, Neon Sign, to be directed by Korea's Pil Gam-Sung.
CJ sells Good Morning President to Japan
5-Nov-2009Korea's CJ Entertainment has had a busy start to the AFM, scoring sales on new titles White Night and Killer Bride's Perfect Crime and selling Good Morning President to SPO Entertainment for Japan.
Finecut unveils second collaboration with Trapero
5-Nov-2009Korea's Finecut is co-producing and handling international sales on Argentinean director Pablo Trapero's new film, tentatively titled Carancho, marking their second collaboration following Lion's Den.
Double Edge picks up Chu's $15m Treasure Hunter
4-Nov-2009Taipei-based Double Edge Entertainment has picked up a slew of rights on Kevin Chu's $15m Treasure Hunter, starring Taiwanese idol Jay Chou, and sealed a Chinese deal on sci-fi action film The King Of Fighters.
Japan's Nikkatsu to unleash Sushi Typhoon
4-Nov-2009Japanese studio Nikkatsu is launching an extreme gore label, Sushi Typhoon, to produce films from Japan's leading cult directors including Takashi Miike (Yatterman) and Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police).
Fortissimo gets cutting edge with The Hairdresser
4-Nov-2009Fortissimo Films has made its first ever German acquisition, picking up worldwide rights outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Doris Dorrie's The Hairdresser.
Finecut sells A Brand New Life to Japan
4-Nov-2009Seoul-based sales company Finecut has sealed a Japanese deal on Ounie Lecomte's A Brand New Life, selling the Korean-French co-production to Crest International.
EMP adds Stool Pigeon to star-studded AFM slate
3-Nov-2009Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures has started shooting The Stool Pigeon, featuring the team behind last year's sleeper hit The Beast Stalker, one of four high-profile action films on the company's AFM slate.
Fox to release Khan on Valentine's weekend
2-Nov-2009Fox has announced that it will release My Name Is Khan, starring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in more than 40 territories on February 12, 2010, to coincide with Valentine's Day weekend.
Former UIP exec Kurt Rieder joins Artisan Gateway
2-Nov-2009Kurt Rieder, who has headed UIP's Asian operations for the past six years, has joined theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway as managing director, based in Singapore.
Greater China at AFM
1-Nov-2009Box-office growth boosts new action and comedy projects
Far East festivals compete for market attention
29-Oct-2009In an Asian version of the Venice-Toronto marathon, the credits have now rolled on the Pusan and Tokyo film festivals. International buyers and sellers tell Liz Shackleton which event they found to be the most useful.
Raintree Pictures appoints Man as managing director
22-Oct-2009Man Shu Sum has left his position as CEO of Mark Burnett Productions' Singapore-based Asian arm to join MediaCorp Raintree Pictures as managing director.
Secrets takes TPG award at close of busy TIFFCOM
22-Oct-2009Izuru Kumasaka's Secrets On The Table took the Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG) award at the close of the four-day projects market, and a successful edition of accompanying contents market TIFFCOM.
Japanese lessons
22-Oct-2009The days of big MGs from Japanese distributors may be over, but there is still a market in Japan for a certain kind of movie that is sold at the right price.
Chow Yun-fat to star in Jiang Wen's Let The Bullets Fly
21-Oct-2009Chow Yun-fat has joined mainland Chinese actor Ge You in the cast of Jiang Wen's action comedy Let The Bullets Fly.
Sales and co-production under the spotlight at TIFFCOM
21-Oct-2009The Japanese film industry grappled with how to sell films to the international market and collaborate with its neighbours in East Asia on the opening day of the TIFFCOM market in Tokyo (Oct 20-22).
Fortissimo picks up Michelle Yeoh martial arts thriller
19-Oct-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights to martial arts thriller Jianyu Jianghu (working title), starring Michelle Yeoh and produced by John Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions.
Taiwan's Zeus set to produce triptych love story Juliet
16-Oct-2009Taiwanese producer Khan Lee is lining up a portmanteau love story, Juliet (working title), as the second installment in its Pushing Hands initiative, designed to support new talent.
Japan tempts overseas talent
15-Oct-2009The Tokyo International Film Festival (Oct 17-25) is growing in importance as a crucial gateway into the huge but challenging Japanese market.
Tiffcom: 'A great place to sell to Asian territories'
15-Oct-2009Tiffcom contents market (Oct 20-22) is shaping up to be a big draw as Japanese buyers stay close to home.
Asian film commissions to jointly develop incentives system
14-Oct-2009Seven film commissions and government bodies pledged to work together to develop production incentives and other schemes to create a film-friendly environment in Asia, at the close of the second edition of Film Policy Plus (FPP) on Wednesday night.
Double Edge scores raft of Korean deals at Pusan market
14-Oct-2009Taipei-based Double Edge Entertainment sealed a raft of deals during the Asian Film Market, including the sale of Hachiko, starring Richard Gere, and Smother, with Liv Tyler and Diane Keaton, to Korean distributor Cinaste.
Cambodia, Japan film commissions come into focus
14-Oct-2009Recently-launched film commissions from two vastly different filmmaking cultures – Cambodia and Japan – were introduced at the BIFCOM locations showcase and Film Policy Plus (FPP) in Pusan this week.
Asian producers bemoan dearth of bond companies
13-Oct-2009Industry experts bemoaned the global decline in completion bond companies at a financing seminar during Pusan's Asian Film Market, observing that only one or two companies remain to bond independent films.
Won Bin is the Man for United Pictures
11-Oct-2009Korean actor Won Bin, who recently starred in Bong Joon-ho's Mother, has been cast as the lead in action drama This Man (working title), which is being sold internationally by United Pictures.
KRU Studios appoints Epic Pictures as sales agent
9-Oct-2009Malaysia's KRU Studios has appointed Los Angeles-based Epic Pictures as its sales agent for its slate of international feature films.
Golden Shell winner City continues selling streak
6-Oct-2009Hong Kong's Media Asia Films has sold Lu Chuan's City Of Life And Death to Latin America and Greece, following its success at San Sebastian where it won the Golden Shell for best film and best cinematography.
Box-office growth hits legal stumbling block
2-Oct-2009Huge population should equal huge box office. But despite a surge in local films, a new law and lack of competition are holding Indonesia back.
Emperor hires Ivy Ho to head marketing
29-Sep-2009Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has appointed Ivy Ho as general manager of marketing, responsible for all marketing activities relating to the company's production and acquisition activities.
XME licenses Lionsgate's More Than A Game
28-Sep-2009Beijing-based Xinhua Media Entertainment (XME) has licensed mainland China distribution rights to basketball documentary More Than A Game from Lionsgate.
Convergence signs up Singapore's Chai Yee-wei
28-Sep-2009Los Angeles-based Convergence Entertainment has signed a deal with Singaporean filmmaker Chai Yee-wei to represent him as a director outside Singapore under the company's management division.
China, Philippines make Oscar selections
28-Sep-2009China has selected Chen Kaige's Forever Enthralled as its entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards, while the Philippines has picked Soxie Topacio's Grandfather Is Dead.
China appeals WTO ruling
24-Sep-2009As expected, China has appealed against a recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that would open the country's market for US movies, music and books.
Rising Singapore star signs two-year deal with Scorpio East
23-Sep-2009Singaporean actor Christopher Lee is signing an exclusive two-year film contract with local producer-distributor Scorpio East Pictures, which will represent the rising star in exploring movie options both locally and across the region.
Yun set to strike Home Run for Singapore
22-Sep-2009Former Raintree Pictures chief Daniel Yun is joining forces with Festive Films' Low Yuen Ping and former Salon Films executive John Sim to launch a Singapore-based outfit, Home Run Pictures, with a focus on executive producing and international sales.
Media Asia scores deals on Venice title Accident
16-Sep-2009Hong Kong's Media Asia Distribution had a busy Toronto, sealing a string of deals on Soi Cheang's Accident, which recently premiered in competition at Venice.
Bangkok film festival to open with Bad Lieutenant
15-Sep-2009Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans will open this year's Bangkok International Film Festival (BKIFF), fresh from its Venice premiere, while local production Sawasdee Bangkok will close the event.
Small - but perfectly formed
11-Sep-2009It may be tiny today, but the Vietnamese market has the pieces in place to enjoy huge growth. Liz Shackleton reports.
Putting art before politics
10-Sep-2009The recent decision by Taiwan's Government Information Office to revoke its subsidy for Miao Miao does not help the long-term development of the Taiwanese film industry.
Indonesian filmmakers condemn new film law
10-Sep-2009The Indonesian film industry is protesting against a film bill, passed into law on Tuesday, that increases censorship of local production and limits the distribution of foreign films.
Taiwan's GIO to revoke Prince Of Tears subsidy
9-Sep-2009Taiwan's Government Information Office (GIO) has informed Prince Of Tears director Yonfan that it will take back the film's $306,000 (NT$10m) subsidy unless it withdraws as Hong Kong's selection for the foreign-language category of the Academy Awards.
Prince Of Tears, No Puedo submitted for Oscars
9-Sep-2009Hong Kong has selected Yonfan's Prince Of Tears as its entry for the best foreign-language film category of the Academy Awards, while Taiwan has chosen Leon Dai's award-winning No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti.
Tiger Gate completes financing, launches channels
7-Sep-2009Tiger Gate, the Lionsgate-backed Asian film and TV venture, has brought on board two additional financial partners and started the roll-out of its two genre channels Thrill and KIX.
Beijing Screenings postponed to October
4-Sep-2009The Beijing Screenings, China Film Group's annual showcase of recent Chinese film production, has been postponed from September to October.
Film critics Tioseco, Bohinc killed in Manila robbery
2-Sep-2009Renowned Filipino-Canadian film critic Alexis Tioseco and his partner, Slovenian critic and programmer Nika Bohinc, were shot dead during a robbery at their home in Quezon City on Tuesday night.
Keeping the edge
28-Aug-2009The Fortissimo Films chief — now steering the company alone after his partner Wouter Barendrecht died earlier this year — tells Liz Shackleton how he and his team are adjusting their strategy in a tough international sales market
Angelopoulos, Kapoor to be honoured at Mumbai Film Festival
27-Aug-2009The Mumbai Film Festival (Oct 29-Nov 5), organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), has announced that it will present lifetime achievement awards to Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos and Indian actor-director Shashi Kapoor.
Fortissimo picks up Shimizu's 3D Shock Labyrinth
26-Aug-2009Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to live-action 3D thriller The Shock Labyrinth, directed by Takashi Shimizu and produced by Japan's Asmik Ace.
Beineix to head Pusan's New Currents jury
25-Aug-2009The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has announced that Jean-Jacques Beineix has been appointed head of the jury for the New Currents competition, which highlights emerging Asian filmmakers.
China set to appeal WTO ruling
18-Aug-2009China's Ministry of Commerce has said that it's preparing an appeal to a ruling last week by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that could open the country's market for US movies, music and books.
Inarritu to head jury at Tokyo International Film Festival
18-Aug-2009The Tokyo International Film Festival has announced that award-winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will be the jury president of the international competition at the festival's 22nd edition (Oct 17-25).
Reliance Big Pictures pushes into East Asian market
17-Aug-2009Mumbai-based Reliance Big Pictures has sold action title Ghajini to Korea's Activers Entertainment and a quartet of pictures to Chinese broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).
Yun exits Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures
14-Aug-2009Daniel Yun is leaving his post as managing director of Singapore-based production and distribution company MediaCorp Raintree Pictures after 11 years in the job.
Scorpio East expands production, distribution activities
14-Aug-2009Singapore-based distributor and film investor Scorpio East has made a couple of key appointments as it ramps up its production activity and moves into theatrical distribution in neighbouring Malaysia.
Maggie Q set to star with Bettany in Priest
13-Aug-2009Asian action star Maggie Q has been cast opposite Paul Bettany in vampire horror Priest which Scott Stewart is directing for Screen Gems.
Eleven Flowers wins Open Doors production grant
13-Aug-2009Eleven Flowers, a project to be directed by Wang Xiaoshuai and produced by Isabelle Glachant, was awarded a production grant of $46,000 (50,000 swiss francs) at the Locarno Film Festival's 2009 Open Doors Factory.
First steps of a box-office giant
30-Jul-2009The news that China has become the second biggest territory outside the US for Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, with a $62m (rmb423m) gross as of July 19, demonstrates the dizzying potential of the country's box-office market.
Forbidden Door takes top honours at PiFan
24-Jul-2009The Forbidden Door, a thriller from Indonesian director Joko Anwar, was awarded the Best of Puchon prize at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) on Thursday night.
India digs for box-office gold
23-Jul-2009A surge in multiplex construction is expected in the still under-screened Indian market now the producers' strike is over. But can air-conditioning and plush seats alone finally prise open the box office for foreign films?
Orengo to head up Sony Pictures Television Asia
17-Jul-2009Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has appointed Angel Orengo as senior vice president, distribution, Asia Pacific, replacing Ross Pollack who is leaving the company to head up Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures.
DreamWorks set to receive $825m initial financing
16-Jul-2009DreamWorks Studios looks set to receive $825m in initial financing from India's Reliance ADA Group and its distribution deal with Disney, the Indian conglomerate has announced.
Pollack appointed as CEO of Celestial Pictures
16-Jul-2009Former Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) executive Ross Pollack has been appointed as CEO at Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures, owned by Malaysia's Astro Group.
No Puedo takes top honours at Taipei film festival
13-Jul-2009Leon Dai's No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti was the big winner at the close of the Taipei Film Festival on Saturday night, winning four prizes including best film, best actor and supporting actor and the media choice award.
Taiwanese film industry looks to China for growth
12-Jul-2009Taiwan's major film organisations look set to make an aggressive push into the mainland China market, in a bid to develop a mainstream film industry to complement the country's current output of low-budget indie fare.
Bangkok film festival to take place September 24-30
10-Jul-2009The organisers of the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKIFF) have confirmed that this year's edition of the event will be held September 24-30.
Quotas open market for pirates
9-Jul-2009Liz Shackleton brings you the Asian piracy lowdown.
Star unveils slate of Chinese movie acquisitions
7-Jul-2009Star Chinese Movies, owned by pan-Asian broadcaster Star, has unveiled a slate of acquisitions that it will screen over the coming year.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi promotes Brunner to COO
7-Jul-2009Imagenation Abu Dhabi has promoted Stefan Brunner to the position of chief operating officer, responsible for all operational activities of the company, at the same time as continuing in his present role of chief financial officer.
Hong Kong's TVB set to take control of pay-TV unit
6-Jul-2009Hong Kong's leading broadcaster, Television Broadcasts (TVB), is set to regain control of its pay-TV unit, TVB Pay Vision, after agreeing to buy a 31% stake from local content producer See Corp.
How the West can win in Asia
2-Jul-2009Mainstream films face increasing local competition in China and India, but as both markets grow, there will still be room for strong stories and speciality product, writes Liz Shackleton, Asia Pacific editor, Screen International.
Wong launches Hong Kong production outfit Pegasus
2-Jul-2009Veteran Hong Kong producer Raymond Wong is launching a new production outfit, Pegasus Films, as a vehicle for his son Edmond Wong who has scripted hits such as Dragon Tiger Gate and Ip Man.
Taipei film festival opens with Yang Yang
26-Jun-2009The Taipei Film Festival kicks off today (June 26) with the screening of local filmmaker Cheng Yu-chieh's Yang Yang and will close on July 12 with Chang Tso-chi's How Are You, Dad?
Creative Kingdom plans $650m Thai studio complex
24-Jun-2009Los Angeles-based themed architecture designer, Creative Kingdom, has unveiled plans for a $650m movie studio and residential development, CNXMovie World Studios, in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.
Jodhaa Akbar sweeps the IIFA Awards
15-Jun-2009Ashutosh Gowariker's period epic Jodhaa Akbar swept the 10th IIFA Awards in Macau on Saturday night, winning 11 prizes including best film and best director.
Chinese Stories
11-Jun-2009Fresh off a prize win at Cannes for Spring Fever, controversial film-maker Lou Ye tells Liz Shackleton why any portrait of Chinese people in cinema also involves politics.
IIFAs open in Macau as Bollywood targets China
11-Jun-2009The three-day Videocon IIFA Weekend kicked off in Macau today with the aim of expanding the global audience for Indian cinema into China and other East Asian markets.
Wong, First Vanguard launch $100m film fund
10-Jun-2009Hong Kong producer Raymond Wong and asset manager First Vanguard are teaming up to launch a $100m fund for film and TV programming targeting the mainland China market.
Big Cinemas pacts with More2Screen for alternative content
10-Jun-2009Indian exhibitor Big Cinemas has signed a deal with London-based alternative content provider More2Screen under which it will screen operas and classical concerts in Indian cinemas.
Locarno selects 12 Chinese projects for Open Doors
10-Jun-2009The Locarno Film Festival has selected 12 projects for its Open Doors co-production lab which this year is devoted to Greater China.
EFP doubles support for films at Shanghai fest
9-Jun-2009European Film Promotion (EFP) is doubling the number of films that it is supporting at the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival (June 13-21) by backing the marketing campaigns of 13 European titles.
Osian's Cinefan film festival changes dates to October
8-Jun-2009The organisers of the Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema, which takes place annually in New Delhi, have announced that this year's edition has changed its dates to October 24-30.
Scorpio East, RAM to co-finance Tong's Kidnapper
3-Jun-2009Singaporean filmmaker Kelvin Tong is set to direct a suspense thriller, Kidnapper, which will be co-financed by Singapore's Scorpio East Pictures and Malaysia's RAM Pictures & PMP Entertainment.
Finecut finds new homes for A Brand New Life
3-Jun-2009Korean sales agent Finecut has announced a slew of deals closed during Cannes, including the sale of Ounie Lecomte's A Brand New Life to Cineart for Benelux and Filmhouse for Mexico, among other territories.
Dubai Film Market unveils deals round-up
1-Jun-2009The Dubai Film Market has announced a round-up of deals that were concluded during and in the months following its inaugural edition in December 2008.
Saminathan steps down as chairman of Pyramid Saimira
28-May-2009P.S. Saminathan has stepped down as chairman of Indian exhibitor Pyramid Saimira following huge losses and a scandal over share price rigging at the company.
Korea's Showbox bucks pre-sales trend on Sword With No Name
20-May-2009Bucking the trend for buyers to wait for completed product, Korea's Showbox has pre-sold big-budget martial arts epic The Sword With No Name to the UK and Germany.
Film Messenger takes Korean rights to Go, Thaddeus
20-May-2009Singapore production outfit Lighthouse Pictures has pre-sold Korean rights to Yasmin Ahmad's upcoming Go,Thaddeus! to Seoul-based distributor and sales agent Film Messenger.
Taiwan pumps $228m into local film and co-productions
20-May-2009Taiwanese government announced that it will pump $228m (NT$7.5bn) over five years into its local film industry.
Korea's CJ closes deals on Thirst and Mother
20-May-2009Korea's CJ Entertainment has closed a batch of sales on Park Chan-wook's competition title Thirst and Bong Joon-ho's Mother, which screened in Un Certain Regard.
Toei sells Good Husband to K&Entertainment
20-May-2009Japan's Toei has sold love fantasy A Good Husband, directed by Isao Yukisada, to South Korea'sK&Entertainment.
Vivendi takes US multi-platform rights to Palisades Tartan titles
20-May-2009Vivendi Entertainment has acquired US home video, digital and mobile rights to the Palisades Tartan catalogue, marking the first time the films will be available digitally to US audiences.
Asia's Fox Star to develop Tamil films with Murugadoss
20-May-2009Fox Star Studios, the pan-Asian joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and broadcaster Star, has signed a two-picture deal with Tamil filmmaker AR Murugadoss, director of recent blockbuster Ghajini.
Chang and Woo unveil 3D fantasy epic Magic Bell
19-May-2009Terence Chang and John Woo's Lion Rock Productions has unveiled details of upcoming 3D fantasy epic LegendOf The Magic Bell, to be directed by renowned Korean TV director Kim Jonghak.
Japan's Sion Sono summons Lords of Chaos for English debut
19-May-2009Hot Japanese director Sion Sono is set to make his English-language debut with Lords Of Chaos, about Norway's black metal music scene, which has Twilight's Jackson Rathbone lined up to star.
Fortissimo picks up international rights to Yonfan's Prince of Tears
19-May-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to Prince Of Tears from acclaimed filmmaker Yonfan and has already sold it to Ocean Films for France.
Singapore's MDA appoints Distribution Workshop to handle first IFF titles
19-May-2009Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has appointed Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop as the international sales agent for the first batch of films produced under its International Film Fund (IFF).
Thailand's Five Star turns Macabre for first international pick up
19-May-2009Thailand's Five Star Entertainment has picked up Asian rights to horror film Macabre, marking the first time the Bangkok-based studio has handled a non-Thai film.
Miike to direct $30m adaptation of Terasawa's Takeru
18-May-2009Japanese director Takashi Miike is set to direct a $30m adaptation of Buichi Terasawa's original manga Takeru.
India's NFDC teams up with Locarno on Screenwriters Lab
18-May-2009India's National Film Development Corp (NFDC) is teaming up with the Locarno International Film Festival for the third edition of its Screenwriters Lab.
Ong Bak 2 kicks it to EuropaCorp, Aurum
18-May-2009Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm International has sold action title Ong Bak 2, starring Tony Jaa, to France's EuropaCorp and Aurum for Spain.
Mumbai's CCVF readies $50m for international, Indian projects
18-May-2009The management team behind $50m Mumbai-based Cinema Capital Venture Fund (CCVF) is in Cannes looking for international projects.
Korea's Showbox closes deals on Breathless, The Murderer
18-May-2009Korea's Showbox has closed a duo of French distribution deals in the early days of the market – selling Breathless to Tadrart Films and The Murderer to Wild Side.
Dubai Film Festival puts France in the spotlight
17-May-2009The Dubai International Film Festival has announced that this year's edition will include a focus on French cinema.
We Distribution closes sales on Bodyguards And Assassins
17-May-2009Beijing and Hong Kong-based We Distribution has closed a raft of South-East Asian sales on Teddy Chen's $23m Bodyguards And Assassins, starring Donnie Yen.
Indian Film Company strikes digital deal with Saavn
17-May-2009The Indian Film Company (TIFC) has struck a deal with New York-based digital distributor Saavn for 14 titles to be released across the company's cable VoD network in the UK and North America.
Fortissimo reteams with Demme for Neil Young Trunk Show
17-May-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up all rights outside North America to Neil Young Trunk Show, directed by Jonathan Demme.
Eleven Arts takes on Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl
17-May-2009Los Angeles-based Eleven Arts has picked up international rights to Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl.
Vanguard picks up US rights to Distant Course and Island Etude
17-May-2009Taipei-based producer-distributor Joint Entertainment International has sold two award-winning Taiwanese titles – The Most Distant Course and Island Etude – to Vanguard International Cinema for the US.
First members join Tokyo's Green Carpet Club
16-May-2009The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has signed up the first raft of members for its environmental initiative, the Green Carpet Club (GCC), including Jon Voight, John Woo, Fernando Meirelles and Julianne Moore.
Finecut sells French speaking rights on Like You Know It All
16-May-2009South Korea's Finecut has sold Hong Sang-soo's Directors' Fortnight title, Like You Know It, to CTV International for French-speaking territories.
Fortissimo sets off on Road, Movie
15-May-2009Fortissimo Films is continuing its foray into Indian cinema by picking up international rights outside Indian territories to Dev Benegal's Road, Movie.
ADFC unveils initiatives for local film-makers
15-May-2009The recently-launched Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) has unveiled a raft of initiatives to support the country's burgeoning film and TV industry, including a tie-up with Mira Nair's Maisha Film Lab.
Easternlight Films buys rights to Future X-Cops
14-May-2009Arclight Films' Asian division, Easternlight Films, has acquired world rights excluding Hong Kong, China and Taiwan to sci-fi action film Future X-Cops, starring Andy Lau.
Arclight and Axxis pop for Bubblegum Crisis
14-May-2009Arclight Films and Singapore's Axxis International are among the companies involved in a six-country collaboration to produce a $30m live-action feature based on Japanese anime series Bubblegum Crisis.
IFC Entertainment picks up US rights for Korea's Death Bell
14-May-2009IFC Entertainment has acquired North American rights to high school horror title Death Bell from South Korea's Mirovision.
Dadi Film moves into sales for Confucius
14-May-2009Beijing-based production outfit Dadi Film has set up an international sales arm to shop its $23m biopic of Chinese philosopher Confucius, starring Chow Yun-fat and Zhou Xun.
Finecut sells Iris to the world
14-May-2009Seoul-based sales agent Finecut has picked up worldwide rights to $20m thriller Iris: The Movie, starring Korean heartthrob Lee Byung-hun and actress Kim Tae-hee.
Odin's Eye teams with Prime on joint sales venture
14-May-2009Australian sales agent Odin's Eye Entertainment (OEE) has struck a deal with Korea's Prime Entertainment for joint representation of a slate of 14 Korean titles.
Reliance Big Entertainment reveals A-list productions
14-May-2009India's Reliance Big Entertainment (RBE) has announced the first raft of projects to be approved for development financing through the deals it has struck with the production vehicles of nine Hollywood stars.
Fortissimo takes international sales on Norwegian Wood
14-May-2009Fortissimo Films has struck a deal with Japan's Asmik Ace Entertainment to handle international sales on Tran Anh Hung's adaptation of Haruki Murakami's best-selling novel Norwegian Wood.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi boards first two films with Participant
13-May-2009Imagenation Abu Dhabi has announced that the five-year revolving fund it created last year with Participant Media will partner in the productions of family comedy Furry Vengeance and horror/thriller The Crazies.
Fortissimo takes on Tian's Warrior, Indian doc
13-May-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up Tian Zhuangzhuang's The Warrior And The Wolf and Indian documentary Children Of The Pyre on the eve of the Cannes market.
Korea's Sidus to co-produce One Armed Swordsman remake
13-May-2009Korean production outfit Sidus FNH is set to co-produce a $10m Korean-language remake of 1967 Shaw Brothers classic One Armed Swordsman with Hong Kong's Celestia
Cinema Popular unveils China's first superhero movie
13-May-2009Start-up production and financing outfit Cinema Popular is unveiling four new projects at Cannes, including China's first superhero movie.
Easternlight sharpens 14 Blades with Visualizer
13-May-2009Arclight Films' Asian division Easternlight is partnering with Hong Kong's Visualizer Film Productions and the Shanghai Film Group to co-produce $20m martial arts action title 14 Blades.
Singapore's MDA launches fund for international projects
12-May-2009Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) has unveiled details of a new fund, dubbed the International Film Fund (IFF), that will invest up to $3.4m (S$5m) each in 17-20 international projects.
Gowariker to direct Buddha biopic
11-May-2009Indian filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has signed up to direct Buddha, a big-budget English-language biopic, which is being financed by billionaire Bhupendra Kumar Modi.
Glen quits as CEO of animation producer Imagi
11-May-2009Imagi International Holdings, the Hong Kong and Los Angeles-based CG animation producer, has announced that Douglas E. Glen has resigned his position as CEO and executive director of the company.
Hulu signs deal to stream Bollywood films
8-May-2009US online video service Hulu.com has signed a deal with New York-based Saavn, a digital distributor of Bollywood entertainment, to stream Hindi-language films free to the consumer.
Fortissimo Films checks into Pang's Dream Home
7-May-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights, excluding Hong Kong, to Pang Ho-cheung's upcoming slasher film Dream Home, starring Josie Ho.
Asmik Ace unwraps third film in Tetsuo franchise
6-May-2009Japan's Asmik Ace Entertainment has announced details of a long-awaited third installment in the cult Tetsuo franchise, which will also mark director Shinya Tsukamoto's English-language debut.
Mainland mission
4-May-2009Leading Chinese producer Peter Ho-sun Chan tells Liz Shackleton why he is trying to put together a slate of China-centric projects.
Tenth edition of the IIFAs to be held in Macau in June
1-May-2009The organisers of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFAs) have announced that the tenth edition of the awards will be held June 11-13 in Macau.
Media Asia adds Dante Lam, Ning Hao titles to Cannes slate
29-Apr-2009Hong Kong-based Media Asia Distribution is bulking up its Cannes slate with a new project from hotHong Kong action director Dante Lam and Chinese director Ning Hao's smash hit comedy CrazyRacer.
Hong Kong video distributors, retailers tussle over fees
28-Apr-2009Hong Kong video distributors are pushing for a rental rights fee of 50% of the wholesale price of a disc, a move that local rental shops are claimingwill put them out of business.
Ocean Films takes French rights to Kore-eda's Air Doll
27-Apr-2009France's Ocean Films has snapped up all French rights to Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's Air Doll from Fortissimo Films. The film has secureda berth in the Un Certain Regard section of this year's Cannes film festival.
Huayi Brothers' Tracing Shadow sells across Asia
27-Apr-2009Beijing-based Huayi Brothers has tied up a slew of Asian sales on Hong Kong actor Francis Ng's martial arts comedy Tracing Shadow, which is proving to be a hot seller in the run-up to Cannes.
Reliance cables Bollywood films to US cinemas
21-Apr-2009Adlabs Films has gained access to sister company Reliance Globalcom's massive global fibre-opticnetwork to deliver Indian films to digital screens in the US.
Hong Kong film festival announces shorter run for 2010
21-Apr-2009The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has announced that the 34th edition of the festival will run over 16 days in 2010 (March 21-April 6), compared to the 23-day run it had this year.
The Way We Are, Ip Man top Hong Kong Film Awards
20-Apr-2009Ann Hui's gritty drama The Way We Are scooped best director and three other prizes at the Hong KongFilm Awards last night, although the best film prize went to martial arts biopic Ip Man, produced byRaymond Wong and directed by Wilson Yip.
The Asian Equation - studios turn to Asian audiences, not crossover hits
9-Apr-2009Nearly all the major US studios and many of the larger indies are now involved in local-language production in Asia. Their varying goals, strategies and levels of success were discussed by a panel of senior executives at the recent Filmart convention in Hong Kong.
Asian film industry in mourning for Barendrecht
7-Apr-2009The Asian film industry was in shock on Monday at the news of the death of Fortissimo Films founder and co-chairman Wouter Barendrecht.
Perfect Life takes Golden Digital award at HKIFF
1-Apr-2009Emily Tang's Perfect Life, about people coming to terms with the new social and economic realities of mainland China, was awarded the Golden Digital Prize in the Asian Digital Competition at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Young's Christmas Rose receives full financing at HAF
25-Mar-2009Charlie Young's Christmas Rose received the HAF Excellence Award at the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) today, for managing to raise its entire $2m budget at the three-day event.
Filmart takes on regional flavour
25-Mar-2009As Filmart reached the half-way point on Tuesday, sellers were reporting that the market was relatively busy but much more Asia-focused than in previous years.'We've been quite busy but most of our meetings have been with Asian buyers - there are fewer companies from the US and Europe and substantially less from Japan,' said Distribution Workshop co-founder Jeffrey Chan.Indeed, most of the sales reported by Tuesday afternoon ...
Fortissimo seals deals on Food, Mishima, Face
24-Mar-2009Fortissimo Films has sealed a slew of deals on food industry documentary Food, Inc following its screening at the Berlinale and during Filmart, including a sale to A-Films for Benelux and Cafe Groove for Japan.The film, which world premiered at Toronto before it screened in Berlin, has also gone to United King for Israel, Golden Village for Singapore and Deltamac for Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Fortissimo picks up rights outside Japan to Kore-eda's Air Doll
23-Mar-2009Fortissimo Films has picked up all rights outside Japan to Hirokazu Kore-eda's Air Doll. Japan's Asmik Ace Entertainment negotiated the deal on behalf of its co-production partners on the film - Engine Film, Bandai Visual, TV Man Union and Eisei Gekijo.Kor-eda won the Asian Film Award for best director last night for his most recent film Still Walking ...
Sundream takes Hong Kong rights to TWC's musical Nine
23-Mar-2009Hong Kong's Sundream Motion Pictures has acquired all Hong Kong rights to Rob Marshall's musical Nine from The Weinstein Company (TWC).Sundream has an output deal with TWC but, according to Sundream vice president of buinsess development, Tom Cheung, the expensive film was acquired outside that arrangement.Currently in post-production for US release at the end of the year,
Japanese cinema triumphs at Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong
23-Mar-2009Japanese cinema triumphed at the Asian Film Awards last night, with three Japanese dramas -Tokyo Sonata, Still WalkingandDepartures- clinching four of the top prizes.Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Tokyo ...
Cinema Popular unveils $23m historical epic Bodyguards & Assassins
23-Mar-2009Start-up production and financing outfit Cinema Popular is unveiling its debut production today at Filmart - $23m historical epic Bodyguards And Assassins - to be directed by Teddy Chen.The film, which starts shooting in early April, features a host of Hong Kong and Chinese stars including Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Nicholas Tse and Chinese actor Wang Xueqi (Forever ...
Hong Kong's 852 Films begins production on first feature Dream Home
23-Mar-2009New Hong Kong production and financing outfit 852 Films has started production on award-winning director Pang Ho Cheung's latest film,Dream Home, starring Josie Ho, Anthony Wong and Eason Chan.The film, in which Ho plays a woman who will stop of nothing to own her dream home, is Pang's first foray into the slasher genre. His credits ...
Germany's M-Appeal picks up internationalto Yang Yang
23-Mar-2009Germany's M-Appeal has picked up international rights to Taiwanese director Cheng Yu-chieh'sYang Yang, which recently had its world premiere in the Panorama section at Berlin.The film, which follows a young Eurasian woman in Taiwan struggling with cultural identity issues, is also screening at the awards gala of the Hong Kong International ...
Universe puts Filmart buyers on Alert with Benny Chan actioner
23-Mar-2009Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution is introducing the latest project from hot action director Benny Chan - $10m sci-fi action title City On Alert (working title) - to buyers at Filmart.Chan is producing and will direct the film, which is set to star Aaron Kwok, Wu Jing and Shu Qi. Currently in pre-production, it revolves around a troupe of circus performers who embark on a crime spree when they accidentally acquire superhuman skills.
Distribution Workshop adds Road, Curse to sales slate
23-Mar-2009Distribution Workshop has added a further two projects to its fast-growing slate - Derek Chiu's romantic dramaThe Road Less Travelledand Lo Chi-leung's horrorCurse Of The Deserted- both of which started shooting at the end of last month.
Animax Asia unveils first original HD production LaMB
20-Mar-2009Sony's Animax Asia channel has unveiled its first original HD animation production, LaMB, which is set to be released over multiple platforms including TV, internet and mobile phones.
Filmart's hottest projects for international buyers
20-Mar-2009This year's Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) gets underway at a difficult time for the international film industry - a period when production finance is scarce and travel budgets are being trimmed. But while ripples from the global financial tsunami - as it is known in this region - are sure to be felt at the four-day market (March 23-26), visitors will also find that East Asian film industries are relatively buoyant.
HAF: high-profile directors and Philippines focus
20-Mar-2009The seventh edition of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) will present 27 Asian projects over three days from March 23-25.
HKIFF to showcase changing local industry
20-Mar-2009Both of the opening films of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) - Derek Yee's Shinjuku Incident and Ann Hui's Night And Fog - are from Hong Kong film-makers, reflecting the creative strength of the local film industry despite the challenges it now faces.
Star appoints Yim as head of Chinese filmprogramming
19-Mar-2009Regional broadcaster Star has appointed Cora Yim as vice president, programming for Star Chinese Movies and Star Chinese Movies 2.
SPHE appoints Meade to oversee China operations
17-Mar-2009Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) has appointed Tim Meade as vice president, SPHE China. He was previously vice president, Asia Emerging Markets for the studio.
Sutherland, Hurt, Stone to attend 33rd HKIFF
11-Mar-2009The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has announced that Kiefer Sutherland, William Hurt and Oliver Stone will be attending the33rd edition of the festival which kicks off later this month (March 22-April 13).
Hong Kong's Celestial strikes Canadian licensing deal
11-Mar-2009Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed a licensing deal with Canada's Rogers Cable Communications under which select titles from its Shaw Brothers library will be available on Rogers' On Demand digital cable platform.
Opinion: Eastern promisesin the long term
6-Mar-2009At the recent FICCI Frames conference in Mumbai, Anand Mahindra, a leading industrialist and recent entrant to the film business, said he was convinced India's economy would recover more quickly than other major economies for two reasons.
HKIFF to open with Shinjuku Incident, Night And Fog
26-Feb-2009Derek Yee's Shinjuku Incident, starring Jackie Chan, and Ann Hui's Night And Fog will open this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 22-April 13) which announced its line-up today.
HKIFF to celebrate 25th anniversary of Film Workshop
25-Feb-2009This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) will feature a special sidebar programme celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong production house Film Workshop, founded by filmmaker Tsui Hark and veteran producer Nansun Shi.
AWPto handle sales onTaraporevala's Little Zizou
24-Feb-2009LA-based American World Pictures (AWP) has picked up international rights to Indian screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala's directorial debut, Little Zizou, from The Indian Film Company (TIFC).
Wonderful Town wins top honours at Thai Oscars
23-Feb-2009Aditya Assarat's Wonderful Town scooped five awards, including best film and best director, at Thailand's leading film honours, the Subhanahongsa Awards, on Sunday night (Feb 22).
Frames wraps with talk of cost-cutting and collaboration
20-Feb-2009As the three-day FICCI Frames media and entertainment conference came to a close in Mumbai yesterday, industry leaders had agreed on three recession-busting strategies - collaboration, improving consumer relations and cutting costs.
Dasgupta quits as CEO of India's Multi Screen Media
20-Feb-2009Kunal Dasgupta has quit as CEO of India's Multi Screen Media (MSM), previously known as Sony Entertainment Television (SET), after almost 14 years in the role.
Indian film industry revenues to remain flat in 2009
17-Feb-2009Following years of rapid growth, the combined revenues of the Indian film industry, including box office and ancillary revenues, are expected to remain flatin 2009at around $2.2bn (Rs109.2bn), according to a joint FICCI-KPMG report.
Motion Picture Association opens Mumbai office
16-Feb-2009The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has opened an office in Mumbai to represent the US film, video and TV industries at a time when the US studios are stepping up their investment in Indian film and TV.
Red Cliff leads the charge for Hong Kong Film Awards
16-Feb-2009John Woo's war epic Red Cliff is the front-runner for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, with 14 nominations, followed by biopic Ip Man and fantasy epic Painted Skin with 12 nods each.
Latido closes number of deals on Sex, Party & Lies
12-Feb-2009Madrid-based sales outfit Latido has closed several sales on Sex, Party & Lies by Albacete and Menkes.
Media Asia closes slew of saleson The Sniper
12-Feb-2009Media Asia has closed deals on Dante Lam's The Sniper for territories including Germany, France, the UK and Turkey.
Rapid Eye picks up Phantom'sLove Exposure
12-Feb-2009Rapid Eye has acquired all German-speaking rights to Forum title Love Exposure from Japan's Phantom Film.
WKW's Jet Tone recruits Chengto directProtein Girl
12-Feb-2009Wong Kar-wai's production outfit Jet Tone Films hasbrought on boardTaiwanese director Cheng Hsiao-tse to write and direct urban comedy drama Protein Girl.
Asmik Ace picks up Kore-eda's Air Doll
11-Feb-2009Japan's Asmik Ace has picked up worldwide sales rights to Hirokazu Kore-eda's project Air Doll (working title), which stars Korean actress Bae Doo-na.
Magnolia kicks up US rights to Ong Bak 2
11-Feb-2009Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to Thai martial arts action title Ong Bak 2 from Sahamongkolfilm International.
Fireball deals snowball for Golden Network
10-Feb-2009Golden Network Asia has scored a slew of deals on Thai action title Fireball, including sales to the UK's E1 Group, France's Metropolitan and Germany's Splendid.
Germany's Ascot Elite chews up Chaw
10-Feb-2009South Korea's Fine Cut has clinched a trio of pre-sales on Shin Jung-won's $7m creature feature Chaw, including the sale of all German-speaking rights to Ascot Elite.
M-Line seals European, Japan deals on Flower
10-Feb-2009Seoul-based sales agent M-Line Distribution has sealed a raft of deals on recent pick-ups A Frozen Flower and Scandal Makers, which are both currently huge hits in Korea.
Buyers hungry for CJ's Thirst
9-Feb-2009Bucking the cautious buyer trend, South Korea's CJ Entertainment has sealed a string of pre-sales on Park Chan-wook's Thirst and Bong Joon-ho's Mother, along with effects-laden action title Haeundae.
Jaa starts shooting Ongbak 3
9-Feb-2009Thailand 's Sahamongkolfilm International has started shooting the third installment in its successful Ong Bak franchise - starring Muay Thai maestro Tony Jaa.
iDream sells three to Turkey
8-Feb-2009London and Mumbai-based sales company iDream Independent Pictures has sold a package of three films, including Santosh Sivan's Tahaan, to Turkey's Horizon International here at the EFM.
Mirovision boards The Boat
7-Feb-2009South Korea 's Mirovision has picked up international rights to Kim Young-nam's drama The Boat, starring Korean actor Ha Jung-woo and Japan's Tsumabuki Satoshi.
Reliance seals deals with Julia Roberts and Brett Ratner
6-Feb-2009Reliance Big Entertainment has signed a further two development deals in Hollywood - with Julia Roberts' Red Om Films and Brett Ratner's Rat Entertainment - to add to the seven similar deals announced last year at Cannes.
Korea's Fine Cut wraps up pre-EFM sales
6-Feb-2009Seoul-based sales agent Fine Cut has wrapped up a slew of sales on the eve of the EFM, including the sale of Antique, which screens here in the Culinary Cinema section, to Thailand's Rose Media.
Distribution Workshop picks up Snowfall, Overheard
5-Feb-2009Distribution Workshop, the new Hong Kong-based sales outfit founded by Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan, has picked up two new titles - Alan Mak and Felix Chong's Overheard and Snowfall In Taipei from Chinese director Huo Jianqi.
Fortissimo rounds out Berlin slate with Asian auteurs
5-Feb-2009Fortissimo Films has arrived in Berlin with several additions to its slate including new titles from threefilmmakers that the company regularly works with - Taiwan's Tsai Ming-liang, Thailand's Pen-ekRatanaruang and Dutch director Alex van Warmerdam.
Kites flies on Reliance Big Pictures' debut slate
5-Feb-2009India's Reliance Big Pictures is launching its international sales division here at the European Film Market, with a busy slate of product headed by $30m English-language romantic drama Kites.
Cheung, Tang Wei set to star in Crossing Hennessy
2-Feb-2009Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung and Chinese actress Tang Wei have been lined up to star in Crossing Hennessy, the second film from Ivy Ho, which she is directing for Hong Kong-based Irresistible Films.
TheIndian film industry and the global economic crisis
23-Jan-2009How well is the Indian film industry positioned to ride out the global economic crisis' Screen takes a look at the impact of the crunch on production and multiplex expansion as well as the country's high-profile international financing deals.
Profile: David U Lee's The Beijing connection
16-Jan-2009China-US co-productions have become popular over recent years - a trend that is likely to continue given the success of action adventure The Forbidden Kingdom. But, as many producers have discovered, navigating China's political landscape and vastly different production culture can be as daunting as one-on-one armed combat with the Monkey King.
Hong Kong's Celestial strikes pay-TV deal with Viasat
6-Jan-2009Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has sealed an exclusive pay-TV deal with Viasat to broadcast Shaw Brothers movies in 15 territories across Russia, the CIS and the Baltic states.
Kawase, Taiwan's Wei among HAF line-up of 27 projects
5-Jan-2009Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase and Wei Te-sheng, director of Taiwanese blockbuster Cape No. 7, are among the filmmakers who have had projects selected for the seventh edition of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
Run Run Shaw offers to take Shaw Brothers private
23-Dec-2008Sir Run Run Shaw has offered to buy the 25.08% stake in Hong Kong's legendary Shaw Brothers that he does not already own for $171.6m (HK$1.33bn).
Firaaq scoops top honours at Singapore's AFFF
11-Dec-2008Firaaq, directed by award-winning Indian actress Nandita Das, scooped best film and best screenplay at the Asian Festival of 1stFilms (AFFF) in Singapore on Wednesday night (Dec 10).
GDC signs VPF deals for Asia with three US studios
10-Dec-2008GDC Technology has signed separate virtual print fee (VPF) financing deals with three US studios - Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures International and Universal Pictures International - for the deployment of digital cinema across Asia.
CineAsia kicks off with focus on India's growing exhibition sector
9-Dec-2008The CineAsia exhibition conference in Macau (Dec 9-11)got off to a surprisingly robust start, given the current global financial crisis, with a focus on India's growing exhibition market and the announcement of a funding deal for a new Chinese cinema chain.
APEX secures funding for Chinese cinema chain
9-Dec-2008New York-listed Entertainment Properties Trust (EPR) has established a strategic alliance with start-up multiplex operator, APEX International Cinemas Investment (HK) Ltd, and its Chinese joint venture partner to open a chain of cinemas in mainland China.
Ong Bak 2 opens at top of Thai box office
8-Dec-2008Tony Jaa's Ong Bak 2 topped the box office in Thailand over its opening three-day weekend (Dec 5-7), grossing an impressive $2m (70m baht) despite the political unrest that has rocked the country in the past few weeks.
Disney takes majority stake in India's UTV
8-Dec-2008Walt Disney Co and the founders of UTV Software Communications have jointly acquired an additional 23% stake in the Indian company.
Syria: Postcard from Damascus
5-Dec-2008With the recent emergence of film festivals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Middle East's festival calendar is getting busy. But one of the oldest in the region - the Damascus International Film Festival - is determined to raise its international profile, despite operating on budgets that are a fraction of those in the Gulf.
Highlight, Rosem team for Indo-French co-production
28-Nov-2008India's Highlight Films is joining forces with France's Rosem Films to co-produce The Conqueror, written and to be directed by female Indian filmmaker Alka Raghuram.
Valley Song wins Hubert Bals award at Film Bazaar
28-Nov-2008Pushpendra Misra's Valley Song was presented with the Hubert Bals award for most promising feature film project at the Film Bazaar in Goa on Friday night.
Film Bazaar 2008: Feature Projects
28-Nov-2008Animal's People
XME teams with US-Chinese talent on five-picture slate
25-Nov-2008Xinhua Media Entertainment (XME), a subsidiary of Chinese media group XFMedia, has announced a slate of five China-US co-productions to be made over the next three years.
Production - Attracting a partner
24-Nov-2008Back in 2002 when Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas screened at Cannes, the Indian film industry was still regarded as an exotic item - fun to have at the party but the international industry did not really know how to talk to her. Fast forward through six years of a booming Indian economy and corporatisation of the local film industry and an array of suitors are lining up for her hand.
Hallyday, Testud to star in To's HK-French Vengeance
24-Nov-2008French actors Johnny Hallyday and Sylvie Testud have been cast in Johnnie To's upcoming thriller Vengeance which is being made as a co-production between France's ARP, To's Milkway Image and Hong Kong-based Media Asia Group.
Beyond Bollywood: Focus on Goa Film Bazaar
21-Nov-2008In the wake of a string of deals between the US studios and Indian entertainment companies, India has become the subject of global scrutiny. But for the majority of Indian film-makers, particularly those working outside the Bollywood mainstream, there is still a huge disconnect between them and the international market.
Production - Box office - The India-pudding
21-Nov-2008With Bollywood keen to expand internationally beyond the Indian diaspora, and global interest in India at an all-time high, there have been many attempts to make films that combine elements of Indian and Western culture. Not all have been successful.
Asian Festival of 1st Films unveils nominations
20-Nov-2008The Asian Festival of 1st Films, a Singapore-based film and documentary festival for first-time filmmakers, has unveiled the nominations for the festival's fourth edition to be held December 4-10.
Sony to release Blu-ray discs in mainland China
19-Nov-2008Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is releasing 30 titles on high-definition Blu-ray discs in the mainland China market, making it the first studio to distribute the new format in the territory.
Sverak's Bottles picks up top prize at Damascus fest
12-Nov-2008Czech director Jan Sverak's Returnable Bottles was awarded with Gold in the feature competition of the 16th Damascus International Film Festival (November 1-11) on Tuesday night.
Kashyap, Nair among film-makers selected for Film Bazaar
5-Nov-2008Camera d'Or winners Murali Nair and Shaji Karun and hot up-and-coming writer-director Anurap Kashyap are among the filmmakers who have had projects selected for the second edition of India's Film Bazaar co-production market (Nov 26-29).
AFM buzz - Hong Kong, China and Taiwan
31-Oct-2008The Chinese-language production sectors, in both Hong Kong and Beijing, were hit badly this year by a slow-down in mainland China's censorship process in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. As a result, there will not be a huge amount of new Chinese product at this year's AFM.
AFM buzz - Thailand
31-Oct-2008It has been a difficult year for the Thai film industry, coping with the double whammy of political unrest and inflation which have battered the economy and impacted on audience spending power. But although local studios have been cautious and there have been delays to production schedules, there are some big projects set to emerge over the coming year.
Easternlight picks up international rights to Champions
29-Oct-2008Arclight Films' Easternlight division will handle international sales, excluding certain Asian territories, to recently completed martial arts action epic Champions, produced by Hong Kong-based Sundream Motion Pictures.
Tiger Gate gears up to launch two channels across Asia
28-Oct-2008Lionsgate's new Asian venture, Tiger Gate, is gearing up to launch two 24-hour genre channels across Asia - action channel KIX, and Thrill which is themed around suspense films and thrillers.
Asia PacificFilm Festivalpostponed due to lack of delegates
23-Oct-2008The 52nd Asia Pacific Film Festival, which was scheduled to run November 18-21 in Jakarta, Indonesia, has been postponed due to a lack of overseas visitors, organisers have announced.
Singapore's Raintree partners with Irresistible Films
17-Oct-2008Singapore's MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is to become the third partner inHong Kong-basedfilm fund, Irresistible Films, alongside producer Bill Kong and Japan's Avex Group.
In focus - Asian Film Funds Forum - New approaches needed in Asia
17-Oct-2008The Asian film business should avoid over-supply and ensure the interests of distributors and investors are aligned, said panellists at a seminar on Asian film funds at Pusan's Asian Film Market.
In focus - Asian Film Market - Mixed messages at market
17-Oct-2008Pusan's Asian Film Market (October 3-6) closed its third edition last week with most delegates agreeing it had been a quiet event, but many saying they had still found it productive. Certainly there was not much footfall at the market, held for the first time on three floors of the Seacloud Hotel, and few deals were announced or reported. Market organisers said 4,640 participants - or 128 companies from 28 countries - attended the market and accompanying locations showcase Bifcom. But ...
Movie Plus, Xinhua Media team for live-action Mulan
15-Oct-2008Canada's Movie Plus, China Film Group and Beijing and LA-based Xinhua Media Entertainment (XME) are joining forces to co-produce a $30m live-action version of the Chinese classic folk take Mulan.
Shaw Brothers calls off saledue to financial crisis
15-Oct-2008Hong Kong's Shaw Brothers has announced to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that is has ended all talks to sell a majority stake in the company, citing the current global financial crisis.
Moment In June to open World Film Festival of Bangkok
9-Oct-2008Thai drama A Moment In June, directed by Nattapong O Wongtrinetrakul, will open this year's World Film Festival of Bangkok (Oct 24-Nov 1), while Martin Scorsese's Shine A Light will close the event.
Bigfoot strides into US theatrical distribution
9-Oct-2008US-Asian production and finance company Bigfoot Entertainment is entering US theatrical distribution with the release of its horror feature Midnight Movie on October 17.
Asian Film Market wraps quiet but productive third edition
6-Oct-2008Pusan's Asian Film Market (Oct 3-6) closed its third edition on Monday night, with most delegates agreeing it had felt like a quiet event, but many saying they had still found it productive.
Ahmad, Lee Chang-dong take top PPP awards
6-Oct-2008Malaysian director Yasmin Ahmad's Forget-Me-Not, which is being produced by Japan's Wa Entertainment, picked up the $20,000 Pusan Awardat the closing of the Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) on Monday night.
PT Jababeka, Multivision team on Indonesian studio
6-Oct-2008Indonesian real estate company PT Jababeka and production house Multivision Plus are joining forces to build a major studio complex, Indonesia Movieland, in the suburbs of Jakarta.
RGM set to tap Asian material for global distribution
6-Oct-2008Singapore-based RGM Entertainment, which has recently completed raising a $400m production fund, is now actively seeking Asian material with the aim of producing big-budget features for global distribution, said CEO Devesh Chetty at Pusan's Asian Film Funds Forum (AFFF)on Sunday.
Korea's ACTI set to launch pan-Asian film fund
5-Oct-2008Korean venture capital firm Asia Culture Technology Investment (ACTI) is planning to launch a five-year $24m (30bn won) pan-Asian film fund, with the aim of boosting the region's output and competitiveness with Hollywood.
Irresistible Films outlines strategy, new management team
5-Oct-2008New Hong Kong-based production company and filmfund, Irresistible Films, has announced its management team, including managing director Nansun Shi and general manager Lorna Tee.
The Weinstein Company's Asian Film Fund casts wide net
5-Oct-2008The Weinstein Company's vice president, Asian acquisitions and co-production Bey Logan, explained the company's criteria for selecting projects for its $285m Asian Film Fund, at Pusan's Asian Film Funds Forum over the weekend(Oct 3-5).
Asian financiers urged to learn from mistakes in the West
4-Oct-2008The Asian film biz should avoid over-supply and ensure that the interests of distributors and investors are aligned, said panellists at a seminar on Asian film funds at Pusan's Asian Film Market (Oct 3-6).
Singapore Film Commission awards $1.6m to new directors
3-Oct-2008Nine Singapore directors have each received $170,000 (S$250,000) to direct their first feature-length film under the Singapore Film Commission's New Feature Film Fund.
Asian Film Finance: Debt financing
2-Oct-2008In a region awash with equity, where film-makers and banks eye each other with caution, it is not surprising the Asian film industry does not use debt financing to a great degree. In general, banks are not familiar with production companies and distributors so do not know how to measure risk, while the film-makers are unwilling to burden themselves with the rigours of accounting and scheduling that banks and completion-bond companies ...
Asian Film Finance: Asian film funds on the rise
2-Oct-2008Outside of Korea, where the influx of funds and venture capital helped the local film industry grow to become a regional force, film funds have had a few false starts across the rest of Asia. Several funds have been announced but failed to leave the starting blocks or to fill their coffers. And the longer-established funds that invest in filmed content - such as the IDG China Media Fund and Taiwanese entrepreneur Alan Lin's Media Vantage - only dabble in film, while they focus ...
Distribution Workshop kickstarts slate with Rain Fall
1-Oct-2008Distribution Workshop, the new Hong Kong-based production and sales outfit founded by Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan, has picked up international rights outside Japan to upcoming Japanese thriller Rain Fall, starring Gary Oldman.
Tigerlily wraps production on Guo Xiaolu's La Chinoise
1-Oct-2008The UK's Tigerlily Films has wrapped production on London-set drama La Chinoise (working title), which is directed by Chinese writer and filmmaker Guo Xiaolu.
Asia Film Finance: The world turns East
29-Sep-2008From an investor's point of view, the East Asian film industry is an exciting story: large markets across the region, lower production costs relative to the US and Europe, and the major growth engine of China, where box office has quadrupled to $459m in five years. Due to the rising box office and the strength of local product in many territories, there is no shortage of deep-pocketed individuals and corporations, both within and outside the industry, willing to invest in production. ...
PVC-1 takes top prize at Bangkok's Golden Kinnarees
28-Sep-2008Colombian feature PCV-1, directed by Spiros Stathoulopoulos, took the grand prix in the main competition of the Bangkok International Film Festival's Golden Kinnaree Awards on Sunday night.
Thai Entertainment Expo wraps brave but quiet first edition
28-Sep-2008The first ever Thailand Entertainment Expo (Sep 24-28) wrapped on Sunday, after a slightly busier weekend as the event was opened to the public, but overall business and buyers were thin on the ground.
Maggie Q heads cast of Tian's Warrior And The Wolf
26-Sep-2008Maggie Q has been cast to play the lead role in Chinese Fifth Generation director Tian Zhuangzhuang's epic drama The Warrior And The Wolf, which is being produced by Hong Kong's Bill Kong and partners from Japan, China and Singapore
In Focus: Is Asia Crunch proof'
26-Sep-2008On a macro level, the credit crunch is only just starting to bite in Asia, a year after North America and Europe, but is not expected to have the same impact. Most pundits agree the major economies of the region will continue to grow in 2009, albeit more slowly than in previous years, while Japan remains flat as it has for decades.
Magnet draws Thai martial arts hit Chocolate
24-Sep-2008Magnet, the recently launched genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired North American rights to Thai martial arts action title Chocolate from Sahamongkolfilm International.
Universal, Focus team with CJ on Park's Thirst
12-Sep-2008Universal Pictures International (UPI) and Focus Features are teaming up with Korea's CJ Entertainment to co-produce award-winning director Park Chan-wook's upcoming vampire thriller Thirst.
Vicky Cristina, Langkasukatoopen Bangkok fest
8-Sep-2008Despite current political unrest in Thailand, the Bangkok International Film Festival (BKIFF) will kick off as planned on Sept 23 with a screening of Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona.
Singapore selects My Magic as foreign-language Oscar entry
8-Sep-2008The Singapore Film Commission (SFC) has selected Eric Khoo's My Magic as Singapore's entry to the best foreign-language film category of next year's Academy Awards.
Kerala film festival announces dates, makes call for entries
4-Sep-2008The organisers of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) have announced that this year's edition will be held December 12-19 in Trivandrum, Kerala.
Star group to sell its 26% stake in India's Balaji Telefilms
19-Aug-2008Regional broadcaster Star Group and India's Balaji Telefilms have agreed to terminate the deal signed in August 2004, in which Star bought a 26% stake in the Mumbai-based film and TV producer.
Bona Group set toraise $30m in second funding round
19-Aug-2008Beijing-based producer-distributor Bona International Film Group is set to raise $30m in its second funding round from venture capital groups Sequoia Capital China and SIG Asia Investments.
Celluloid Dreams picks up Birdwatchers, Plastic City
18-Aug-2008Celluloid Dreams has added two Venice competition titles to its autumn slate - Yu Lik-wai's Plastic City and Marco Bechis' Birdwatchers - both of which are set in Brazil and are co-productions with Brazil's Gullane Filmes.
Celestialsigns distribution deals withUS trio
14-Aug-2008Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has signed distribution agreements with BCI, Media Blasters and Well Go USA to release Shaw Brothers martial arts titles on home video in the US and Canada.
Avex Group, Media Asiaestablish $50 film fund
9-Aug-2008Hong Kong's eSun Holdings, parent of the Media Asia Entertainment Group, and Japan's Avex Group have announced the creation of a film fund of $50m over five years, to be jointly financed by both parties.
RGM Entertainment launches $400m production fund
5-Aug-2008Singapore-based RGM Entertainment is launching a fund to back $400m worth of commercial English-language film and TV projects over a period of four years.
India's NFDC set to host second edition of Film Bazaar
4-Aug-2008India's National Film Development Corp (NFDC) has unveiled details of the second edition of its co-production market, Film Bazaar, to be held November 26-29 at the Marriott Resort in Goa.
Celestial pacts with Netmovie for cyber cafe distribution
1-Aug-2008Celestial Pictures has signed a deal with Beijing Netmovie Co which will see 662 Shaw Brothers films distributed through chains of internet cafes in mainland China.
Palisades, Media Asia clash over Tartan library titles
30-Jul-2008New York-based Palisades Media Corp has reasserted its ownership of the Tartan Films' library, after Hong Kong producer-distributor Media Asia announced last week that it was retrieving rights to seven films it had previously licensed to the UK distributor.
Thai star Tony Jaa goes missing from Ong Bak sequel
28-Jul-2008Thai film studio Sahamongkol held a press conference in Bangkok on Friday (July 25) to confirm that Ong Bak star Tony Jaa has been missing for the past two months.
Hong Kong's Media Asia takes back Infernal rights
25-Jul-2008Hong Kong's Media Asia has announced that it has retrieved rights to seven films it had previously licensed to UK-US distributor Tartan Group, including its hugely successful Infernal Affairs trilogy.
Disney acquires home video rights to Hindi hit
22-Jul-2008Walt Disney Co has acquired home video rights for North America, the UK and Australia to hit Hindi movie, Taare Zameen Par, directed by and starring Aamir Khan.
Tokyo Sonata wins best film at Osian's Cinefan
21-Jul-2008Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Tokyo Sonata was awarded best film at the Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema on Saturday night (July 19).
MegaStar Media opens fifth multiplex in Vietnam
18-Jul-2008Vietnamese exhibitor MegaStar Media has opened its fifth multiplex in Vietnam, in the central coastal city of Danang.
The Mummy 3 cleared for mainland China release
16-Jul-2008The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor has been cleared for release by Chinese film censors and will be released in mainland China after the Beijing Olympics, according to local distributor Edko Films.
Chin Hanjoins cast ofEmmerich's 2012
10-Jul-2008Singapore-born actor Chin Han, who starred in 3 Needles and plays one of the main villains in The Dark Knight, has landed a role in Roland Emmerich's 2012.
Thai government plans tax incentives for foreign shoots
7-Jul-2008Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports is planning to introduce tax incentives for foreign film productions, in a bid to increase the country's appeal as an international shooting location.
In Focus: World cinema arrives in India
3-Jul-2008Despite its huge population, India is still classed as a tiny territory by international sales agents, one where even the US studios have failed to make much of a dent in the Bollywood juggernaut.
Korea's Marine Boy splashes down in Cebu
2-Jul-2008Korean production Marine Boy has wrapped a five-day shoot at Bigfoot Studios' recently completed underwater shooting tank in Cebu, the Philippines.
Chang, Yeoh launch management outfit Stellar Entertainment
23-Jun-2008Actress Michelle Yeoh, producer Terence Chang and Taiwanese media veteran David Tang officially unveiled their joint talent management company, Stellar Entertainment, in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Leung joins Distribution Workshop as head of sales
20-Jun-2008Hong Kong distribution executive Virginia Leung has joined start-up international sales outfit Distribution Workshop as head of sales.
Reliance in talks to invest in DreamWorks
18-Jun-2008India's Reliance ADA Group is close to a deal with DreamWorks' chiefs Steven Spielberg and David Geffen to launch a new venture that would enable them to split with Paramount Pictures, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Click here to see article.
Chinese developer close to deal to acquire Shaw Brothers
18-Jun-2008Chinese property developer Yeung Kwok-keung is close to finalising a deal to buy a 75% stake in Hong Kong's Shaw Brothers from Sir Run Run Shaw.
Ng calls for changes to China's co-production policy
17-Jun-2008The chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Ng See-yuen, called for a rethink of co-production policy at a seminar on Sino-foreign co-production at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) on Tuesday.
Investors assess risks, rewards in China film market
17-Jun-2008China's booming film industry could provide huge returns to venture capitalists, funds and other investors, but the market is still in its infancy and it'sstill not clearin which areas to invest.
Bangkok International Film Festival announces new dates
16-Jun-2008The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKIFF) has announced that this year's edition will take place September 23-30.
Malaysia's KRU Studio backs US thriller Deadline
13-Jun-2008Malaysia's KRU Studio is co-producing US psychological thriller Deadline, starring Brittany Murphy, marking its first foray into financing Hollywood films.
Jupiter picks up French-speaking territories to Yasukuni
24-May-2008Jupiter Communications has picked up all rights for French-speaking territories to Li Ying's documentary Yasukuni, from Hong Kong-based sales agent The Film Library.
Warlords conquers more territories including India, Brazil
23-May-2008Hong Kong-based Media Asia Distribution has sealed several more deals on Peter Ho-sun Chan's The Warlords, including the sale of Indian rights to Palador Pictures.
Arthouse Films and Fortissimo sign first-look and output deal
21-May-2008New York and LA-based Arthouse Films has struck a first-look and output deal with Fortissimo Films, which will represent projects from Arthouse Films, Curiously Bright Entertainment and LM Media.
Japan's SPO acquires seven-film package from Taiwan's Joint Entertainment
21-May-2008Japanese distributor SPO has acquired a package of seven films from Taiwan 's Joint Entertainment.
Little Magic conjures up Kikuchi deal
21-May-2008New York-based Little Magic Films has secured a deal to represent the works of best-selling Japanese cult novelist Hideyuki Kikuchi for English-language film and TV live-action adaptations.
Eros and Lionsgate form joint distribution venture
20-May-2008Lionsgate has formed a wide-ranging joint venture with Indian film giant Eros International for the distribution of its own and third-party content in the booming South Asian market.
Fortissimo picks up Woo's next project 1949
20-May-2008Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside China to the next project to be directed by John Woo, $40m historical epic 1949.
Katapult dives in for Ocean Flame
19-May-2008Katapult Film Sales has picked up Chinese director Liu Fendou's Un Certain Regard title Ocean Flame, produced by Hong Kong 's Filmko Entertainment.
Japanese buyers take Antique, Love First
19-May-2008Korean sales agent Fine Cut has pre-sold Min Kyu-dong's Antique to Showgate in Japan for a mid six-figure sum.
The Warlords march into France, Germany
18-May-2008Hong Kong 's Media Asia Distribution has sold Peter Ho-sun Chan's The Warlords, starring Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro, to KSM in Germany and ARP in France.
India's Reliance becomes financier to Hollywood stars
18-May-2008India's Reliance Big Entertainment has unveiled plans to provide development funds to the production vehicles of seven Hollywood stars, including Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment and Tom Hanks' Playtone Productions.
India's Studio 18 signs five-film Acme deal
18-May-2008The Indian Film Company-Studio18 is pushing Bollywood into new territories, including the Baltics, where the company has signed a five-picture deal with Acme Films.
Tokyo festival goes green to boost global profile
18-May-2008The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is launching a new section and award around the theme of ecology as part of a push to reposition the festival as a more international event.
Thai Studio GTH sells Body to Germany, Indonesia
16-May-2008Thai studio GMM Thai Hub (GTH) has sold suspense thriller Body to Germany 's I-On New Media and Indonesian distributor PT Cakarwala Pesona Jaya Film.
India's Reliance Big Entertainment sets out $1bn ambitions
16-May-2008Reliance BIG Entertainment, owned by India 's massive Reliance ADA Group, is poised to become one of the most aggressive players in the global film business.
Fortissimo climbs on board Magic Bus
16-May-2008Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding the US and UK, to Jigsaw Film's upcoming documentary Magic Bus.
Bruce Beresford named jury president of Asia Pacific Screen Awards
16-May-2008Bruce Beresford will be president of the international jury for the second Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSAs), to be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on Nov 11, 2008.
Shanghai turns spotlight on co-production
16-May-2008The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has announced the line-up of projects for its Co-production Film Pitch and Catch (Co-FPC) initiative, which aims to stimulate co-production with an emphasis on the Asian region.
NonStop acquires Park Chan-wook's vampire film
16-May-2008Sweden 's NonStop Entertainment has acquired two vampire features - Park Chan-wook's highly-anticipated Thirst and Not Like Others from Swedish director Peter Pontikis. Both films are still in production and will premiere later this year. Nonstop has acquired rights to both films for Scandinavia, Iceland and the Baltics.
Infinity Film Completion Services launches financing and production arms
16-May-2008Indian completion bond outfit Infinity Film Completion Services has launched a film financing and production company which is producing Colours Of Passion from The Rising director Ketan Mehta and a slate of martial arts movies.The new outfit, Infinity Filmed Entertainment, plans to produce four to five features a year for the next two years for the international market.Mehta's
Zhang Ziyi heads cast for Susanne Bier's Lost For Words
16-May-2008Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is set to star in romantic comedy Lost For Words, which Susanne Bier is directing for the UK's Working Title Films. Hugh Grant is also in talks to join the film.
TF1 picks up worldwide rights to Rosem's Wang Chao project Starting Over
15-May-2008TF1 International has picked up worldwide rights to drama Starting Over from Chinese director Wang Chao, whose last film Luxury Car won the top prize in Un Certain Regard in 2006.
Star licenses 20 titles to Japan's Tsutaya Discas
14-May-2008Pan-Asian broadcaster Star has signed a deal with Japanese online content provider Tsutaya Discas, which will distribute 20 movie titles from Star's Fortune Star library via internet in Japan.
Osian's Cinefan festival to honour Sen, Lacaba
14-May-2008Osian's-Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema is presenting two lifetime achievement awards at this year's edition (July 10-20).
Fortissimo is big in France with ARP, La Fabrique de Films
14-May-2008Fortissimo Films has sealed a raft of sales to various distributors in France, including ARP, which has acquired out-of-competition title Ashes Of Time Redux, and La Fabrique de Films, which has snapped up Madonna documentary I Am Because We Are.In addition, Films sans Frontieres has acquired Iranian director Majid Majidi's Berlin Silver Bear winner Song Of Sparrows. ...
Nikkatsu unveils Miike's $20m Yatterman
13-May-2008Japanese studio Nikkatsu is unveiling Takashi Miike's $20m manga adaptation Yatterman at Cannes, the cult director's biggest project.The live-action picture is in production at the Nikkatsu studios, scheduled for a wide Japanese release in spring 2009. Nikkatsu and Shochiku are co-distributing in Japan.Nikkatsu was acquired by Index Corp in 2005 and has since been ramping up its production and sales activities. ...
Fortissimo Filmsacquires Killer, Epoch'sGigantic
13-May-2008Fortissimo Films has picked up Gigantic, an off-beat comedy with a stellar cast headed by Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano and John Goodman, from US production outfits Killer Films and Epoch Films.
Edko to launch Claustrophobia at Cannes
12-May-2008Hong Kong-based Edko Films will commence international sales at Cannes on Claustrophobia, which is one of the first films to be backed by Irresistible Films, a film fund established by Bill Kong and Japan's Avex Group Holdings.
Fortissimo to debut Dance Subaru! at Cannes
8-May-2008Fortissimo Films has boarded pan-Asian co-production Dance Subaru! as sales agent outside of Asia, and will be introducing the film at this year's Cannes film festival.
Yim joins animation house Imagi in Hong Kong
6-May-2008Former Media Asia executive Cora Yim has joined Los Angeles and Hong Kong-based animation house Imagi as director of marketing and strategic planning with immediate effect.
iDream bolsters Cannes slate with Ocean Of Pearls
2-May-2008London-based sales agent iDream Independent Pictures has added Ocean Of Pearls, directed by Dr Sarab Singh Neelam, to its Cannes line-up.
Focus: the changing face of Japanese distribution
2-May-2008As the world's third largest box-office territory behind the US and UK, Japan is a hugely influential player in the international sales business. And until a few years ago, Japanese distributors would regularly stump up 10%-12% of the budget of heavyweight independent films.
Oh quits CJ Entertainment to join Fox Korea
1-May-2008Fox Korea has appointed Tom Oh as managing director, replacing Jay Shim, effective from May 9. He will report to Fox vice president, Asia Pacific, Sunder Kimatrai.
UK film-maker wins top prize at Nyon doc fest
24-Apr-2008Martin Blaney in Nyon
Polybona sets up international sales outfit
16-Apr-2008Beijing-based distributor Polybona is entering the international sales arena by taking a 51% stake in start-up sales outfit Distribution Workshop, established by Hong Kong film industry veterans Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan.
TWC's Shanghai to shoot in UK, Thailand from May
16-Apr-2008The Weinstein Company has confirmed that Mikael Hafstrom's Shanghai, starring John Cusack, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe, will start shooting on May 5 in London.
The Warlords rules the roost at Hong Kong Film Awards
14-Apr-2008Peter Ho-sun Chan's epic war drama The Warlords dominated the Hong Kong Film Awards last night (April 13), scooping eight prizes including best film, best director and best actor for Jet Li.
Celestial launches two movie channels on Now TV
11-Apr-2008Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures is launching two new movie channels - Celestial Movies Asia (CMA) and Celestial Classic Movies (CCM) - which will be carried by PCCW's now TV IPTV service in Hong Kong.
Celestial pacts with Kadokawa, MGM Central Europe
7-Apr-2008Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed two new distribution deals for its Shaw Brothers library with MGM Channel Central Europe and Kadokawa Entertainment in Japan.
Frames: Indian industry leaders sound note of caution
28-Mar-2008India's entertainment industry may be booming, and Mumbai-based film companies eyeing global expansion, but local industry leaders rang several alarm bells at the FICCI-Frames conference this week.
Adlabs cinema chain set for global, digital expansion
28-Mar-2008India's largest exhibitor Adlabs, owned by Reliance Entertainment, has unveiled plans for global expansion, as well as the roll-out of a D-cinema circuit in the domestic Indian market.
In focus - Closing the deal
28-Mar-2008Although box office is still booming in many parts of the region, the Asian film market presents unique challenges to Western sales companies. Local product has a market share of at least 40% in the major territories, and as US studio product is also strong, there is little room for independent English or foreign-language movies. Although China and India both have an expanding middle class and are witnessing rapid multiplex development, both markets are problematic. Local product has ...
Heart, Yasukuni take top prizes at Hong Kong fest
27-Mar-2008Takahashi Izumi's What the Heart Craves has won the Golden Digital Award in the Asian Digital Competition section of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Ellis promoted to president of MPA Asia Pacific
25-Mar-2008The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has announced the promotion of Michael Ellis to president and managing director of its Asia Pacific operations.
Film finance: India INC extends its global reach
21-Mar-2008It has been a busy year for the Indian film industry's corporate players, what with floating on stock markets and signing content deals with local producers, not to mention forging partnerships with Hollywood.India's film finance giantsFICCI Frames line-up
20-Mar-2008SCREEN SPECIAL REPORT CONTENTS (click to view)Hong Kong: Territory overview Hong Kong: Indie finance Hong Kong and China: Hot projects Hong Kong: Box office ...
Shanghai film festival pays tribute to Minghella
19-Mar-2008The Shanghai International Film Festival has issued the following statement regarding the death of Anthony Minghella who had been appointed president of the festival's competition jury this year:
CEC strikes financing deal for Osborne's Laundry Warrior
19-Mar-2008Specialty finance and investment company Continental Entertainment Capital (CEC) has announced a single-picture financing deal for highly-anticipated, English-language action feature The Laundry Warrior.
Pang Ho-cheung, Ning Hao win top HAF awards
19-Mar-2008Pang Ho Cheung's The Bus picked up the HAF Award for best Hong Kong project at the close of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)today (March 19).
Hong Kong's Salon Films forms pan-Asian alliance
19-Mar-2008Hong Kong's Salon Films has formed an affiliation of pan-Asian production and financing companies to help facilitate international productions in the region.
EFP gives support to seven films at Hong Kong film festival
17-Mar-2008The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has, for the first time, been included in the list of non-European film festivals eligible for European Film Promotion's Film Sales Support (FSS) initiative.
Mandarin brings Bruce Lee's kung-fu master to big screen
17-Mar-2008Hong Kong's Mandarin Films is producing a biopic of Ip Man, the kung-fu master of global superstar Bruce Lee, which is set to star Donnie Yen and Simon Yam.
Secret Sunshine lights up Asian Film Awards
17-Mar-2008Korea's Secret Sunshine was the big winner at the second edition of the Asian Film Awards (AFAs) last night, scooping best film, best director for Lee Chang-dong and best actress for Jeon Do-yeon's performance.
Empress finds champion in Golden Network
16-Mar-2008Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up worldwide rights outside Asia to martial arts epic An Empress And The Warriors from United Filmmakers Organization.
Ramy Choi's Fame to develop new Taiwanese talent
16-Mar-2008Former Fortissimo Films executive Ramy Choi has launched a production and talent management outfit, Fame Universal Entertainment, which aims to develop up-and-coming talent with a focus on Taiwan.
US independents march on Asia
16-Mar-2008US interest in Asia's film and entertainment industries is hotting up with Lionsgate becoming the latest mini-major, following The Weinstein Company and Hyde Park Entertainment, to make a major investment in the region.
Sundream signs output deal with The Weinstein Company
16-Mar-2008Hong Kong's Sundream Motion Pictures has sealed an output deal and a two-picture co-production pact with The Weinstein Company (TWC), and is also lining up a slate of new productions.
Distant Horizon unveils cast of Chan's Don't Look Up
14-Mar-2008Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan's remake of Hideo Nakata's Don't Look Up will start shooting in Los Angeles on April 14, with a cast including Henry Thomas, Kevin Corrigan, Lothaire Bluteau, Carmen Chaplin and Reshad Strik.
7-Mar-2008Jiang Yiyan, actress
7-Mar-2008Launched last April, the Film Development Council (FDC) advises the Hong Kong government on policy for the promotion and development of the local film industry. It also oversees the $38m (hk$300m) Film Development Fund and related areas, such as training and promotion of film literacy.
7-Mar-2008The oldest and arguably most established film market in Asia, Filmart (March 17-20) has emerged as one of the leading events on the global film industry's calendar.
7-Mar-2008Primarily an audience festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hkiff) nonetheless achieves greater international recognition by taking place at the same time as Filmart and the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). In turn, it helps to increase the film-maker quotient at both industry-heavy events.
7-Mar-2008Hong Kong's overall box office leapt 11% to just over $129.6m (hk$1bn) in 2007, marking the first time the territory's box office has bounced back above the hk$1bn level since 2001.
Hong Kong Overview - Financing - A lifeline for independent producers
7-Mar-2008Launched last April, the Film Development Council (FDC) advises the Hong Kong government on policy for the promotion and development of the local film industry. It also oversees the $38m (hk$300m) Film Development Fund and related areas, such as training and promotion of film literacy.
7-Mar-2008Looking solely at the numbers, the Hong Kong film industry had a tough time last year, with a further decline in the number of films produced to a record low of 50, according to figures from the Motion Picture Industry Association (Mpia). Their combined share of the Hong Kong box office also contracted to just 23%, compared to 31% the previous year.
Fortissimo adds Konchalovsky's Gloss to line-up
27-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside Russia and France to Andrei Konchalovsky's Gloss, which will receive a gala screening at next month's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
Chen, McLachlan to star in Beresford's Last Dancer
26-Feb-2008Kyle McLachlan, Bruce Greenwood and Joan Chen have been cast in Bruce Beresford's adaptation of the best-selling book, Mao's Last Dancer, which starts shooting in China next month.
Chuang takes up distribution post at restructured Star
22-Feb-2008Hong Kong-based regional broadcaster Star Group has folded its Fortune Star division back into its main TV programming production and distribution operation, and appointed Yvonne Chuang as vice president, programme syndication and distribution, effective March 10.
Hui's The Way We Are to have world premiere at HKIFF
22-Feb-2008Ann Hui's The Way We Are and Vincent Chui's Love Is Elsewhere are among the local films making their world premiere at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).
FDC grants funding to McDull WuDang, Claustrophobia
20-Feb-2008Animation McDull WuDang and live-action feature Claustrophobia have become the first two film projects to be approved for funding by Hong Kong's recently-established Film Development Fund (FDF).
Kabei, Demon to open Hong Kong InternationalFilm Festival
20-Feb-2008The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has announced that Japanese director Yoji Yamada's Kabei - Our Mother and Soul Of A Demon, directed by Taiwan's Chang Tso-chi, will open the 32nd edition of the festival (March 17-April 6).
Disney more than doubles its stake in India's UTV
18-Feb-2008The Walt Disney Company has invested around $203m (Rs8.05bn) to more than double its stake in India 's UTV Software Communications from 13.7% to 32.1%.
Fortissimo sings with Majidi's Song Of Sparrows
18-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films has picked up worldwide rights outside of Iran to Majid Majidi's The Song Of Sparrows, winner of the Silver Bear for best actor at this year's Berlin Film Festival.
David Lee steps down as EVP at Weinstein Company in Asia
14-Feb-2008DavidLee has stepped down as executive vice president of Asian Operations atThe Weinstein Company, where he was responsible for overseeing creativeaspects of the company's Asian Film Fund. He will be partially replaced by Steve Squillante who has come on board as a consultant for the fund. Squillantewill work alongside TWC's internal team - including ...
Fortissimo seals raft of deals on Marley, CSNY docs
13-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films has closed a raft of deals on its recently-announced Bob Marley documentary, which Martin Scorsese is directing for delivery in 2010.
Hong Sang-soo's Woman goes to France with Umedia
13-Feb-2008Korea's Mirovision has sealed a French deal on Hong Sang-soo's previous film, Woman On The Beach, which has been sold to Umedia.
Host co-producer Jang prepares Pepper in London
13-Feb-2008Korean female producer Junyoung Jang, who was one of the producers on The Host, has relocated to London where she is setting up a $10m time travel adventure film, entitled Charlie Pepper.
T-Joy acquires Japanese rights to Bodrov's Mongol
11-Feb-2008Japan's T-Joy has pounced on Oscar-nominated epic drama Mongol, acquiring all Japanese rights through its recently-established Laterna label.
Palador Pictures acquires Indian rights to Shine A Light
10-Feb-2008Mumbai-based Palador Pictures has acquired Indian rights to Berlin opening film Shine A Light from Fortissimo Films.
Minghella to head Shanghai film festival jury
10-Feb-2008Anthony Minghella will serve as president of the international jury at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), which takes place June 14-22.
Japan's Iseki Satoru to produce Korean epic Sharaku
10-Feb-2008Japanese producer Iseki Satoru (Battle Of Wits) has boarded epic mystery fantasy Sharaku (working title), which Park Tae-choon is directing for Korea's Studio2.0. Studio 2.0 is co-financing and handling international sales on the $8m Korean-Japanese co-production, which will be shot in Japan with a mostly Japanese cast and crew. Behind-the-scenes talent confirmed so far includes DoP Sakamoto Yoshitaka (
TWC's Shanghai and other foreign shoots face China crisis
10-Feb-2008The Chinese authorities have refused to grant shooting permission to Mikael Hafstrom's period drama Shanghai, set to star John Cusack and Gong Li, forcing the producers to scramble to find another Asian location.The Weinstein Company is backing the production, which has been in pre-production in China since last September and was scheduled to start shooting next month. It's the biggest project so far to be backed by TWC's Asian Film Fund.
CJ Entertainment to sell The Good, The Bad And The Weird
9-Feb-2008Korea's CJ Entertainment has confirmed that it has picked up worldwide rights, excluding Japan, to Kim Jee-woon's The Good, The Bad And The Weird, while producer Barunson is handling Japanese rights.
Eros takes international rights to Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar Raaj
9-Feb-2008Indian powerhouse Eros International has acquired international rights to Ram Gopal Varma's upcoming Sarkar Raaj. Starring the hot family trio of Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, the film is a sequel to Varma's award-winning Sarkar, which delves into the links between politicians and the underworld in modern-day Mumbai. While Sarkar ...
iDream looks into The Voyeurs by Dasgupta
9-Feb-2008London and Mumbai-based iDream Independent Pictures has picked up worldwide rights, excluding India, to The Voyeurs directed by veteran Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta.The film follows a young man who falls in love with the girl next door, and looks at whether our obsession with surveillance has really made the world a safer place. It premiered in the masters section of last year's Toronto International Film Festival and also played ...
The Weinstein Company, Showbox hot for Chocolate
9-Feb-2008Thai actioner Chocolate - which opened at the top of the Thai box office this week - has been gobbled up by several international distributors including The Weinstein Company which has taken North American rights. Produced and sold by Sahamongkolfilm International, the picture has also been sold to Showbox Media for the UK, Taewon Entertainment for South Korea, Intercontinental Films for Hong Kong, Innoform for Singapore, Medyavizyon ...
Kurosawa's Tokyo Sonata sold to Japan, France
8-Feb-2008Japan's Entertainment Farm - Fortissimo Films' producing partner on Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Tokyo Sonata - has secured Japanese distribution for the film via PiX Inc, a subsidiary of Avex Entertainment founded in December last year.
Soros acquires 3% stake in India's Reliance Entertainment
8-Feb-2008Billionaire venture capitalist George Soros has bought a 3% stake in India's Reliance Entertainment for $100m.
Fortissimo makes donation to Scorsese's WCF
8-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films will be presenting Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation (WCF) with a $50,000 cheque at a special reception at the Berlin International Film Festival tonight (Feb 8).
Japan's Toei lands in Berlin with Orochi: Blood
8-Feb-2008Japanese studio Toei has made a last-minute decision to attend the European Film Market, and will be selling the new horror title from Norio Tsuruta, who previously directed the J-Horror Theatre title Premonition.
KOFIC launches fund to support Korean films overseas
8-Feb-2008The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is launching a $420,000 fund to support the overseas theatrical release of Korean films.
Scorsese, Shangri-La to shine a light on Bob Marley
8-Feb-2008Following his Bob Dylan and Berlin-opening Rolling Stones documentaries, Martin Scorsese is planning to make a film on the life of Reggae star Bob Marley.
Cinema Libre welcomes Zombie to the US
7-Feb-2008Grace Lee's American Zombie, the first English-language film from Korean producer-distributor iHQ, has been acquired for US distribution by Cinema Libre Studio.
Fortissimo picks up Sundance winner Sleep Dealer
7-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding North America, to Alex Rivera's Sleep Dealer, which recently scooped several awards at the Sundance Film Festival where it played in competition.
Suh slices through international market with Fine Cut
7-Feb-2008Cineclick Asia founder Youngjoo Suh is leaving the company to establish a new international sales outfit, Fine Cut, to handle a more diverse slate of international projects.
Protege, Warlords lead race for Hong Kong Film Awards
4-Feb-2008Derek Yee's Protege, produced by Peter Ho-sun Chan, and The Warlords, directed and produced by Chan, dominated the nominations for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards.
India's UTV changes name to avoid AIM listing confusion
1-Feb-2008India's UTV Motion Pictures, which floated on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) last year, has changed its name to UMP Plc to avoid confusion with another AIM-listed company, UTV Media Plc (formerly Ulster Television Plc).
Strand Releasing takes US rights to Lee's Help Me Eros
1-Feb-2008Fortissimo Films has announced a slew of sales coming out of the Rotterdam Film Festival and in the run up to next week's European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
Fortissimo adds Son Of ALion, Hold Me Tight to EFM slate
29-Jan-2008Fortissimo Films has bolstered its slate for the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin with two acquisitions.
SPTI seals mobile VoD deal with Korea's SK Telecom
29-Jan-2008Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has sealed a video-on-demand (VoD) licensing deal with South Korean mobile operator, SK Telecom.
Mei Ah Entertainment sells BIG stake to mainland investor
28-Jan-2008Hong Kong producer-distributor Mei Ah Entertainment has sold a 21% stake in local production outfit BIG Media Group to Chinese investor Brandon Wen Rui Feng for $10.3m (HK$80m).
Star launches second Chinese Movies channel
23-Jan-2008Regional broadcaster Star has launched Star Chinese Movies 2, a new channel that will screen Chinese-language films produced from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Production - Mumbai Calling
18-Jan-2008One of the world's most crowded and at times dysfunctional cities, shooting in Mumbai is not for the faint-hearted. But it is also the centre of one of the world's largest film industries, with production costs around one-fifth of those in the West. For projects with a story set in Mumbai, filming in the Indian mega-city is not an insurmountable task.
Fortissimo picks up Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young documentary
17-Jan-2008Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside North America to documentary feature CSNY: Dejà Vu on the eve of its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in the closing night slot.
Osian's Cinefan to award $250,000 in prize money
16-Jan-2008Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab cinema has announced that it will offer prize money of around $250,000 (approx Rs10m) for the competition sections and lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming edition (July 10-20).
China Broadband takes 23% stake in Asian Union
16-Jan-2008Private equity fund China Broadband Capital Partners has taken a 23% stake in Beijing-based film and TV producer Asian Union New Media.
Kite Runner banned from release in Afghanistan
16-Jan-2008Afghanistan has banned the import and exhibition of DreamWorks-produced drama The Kite Runner on the grounds that it could incite violence.
Olympic challenge for international film in China
4-Jan-2008As the finishing touches are being made to Beijing's sports venues, there is an air of nervous anticipation in the Chinese capital.
Japan, Korea make strong showing in HAF 2008 line-up
2-Jan-2008Japan's Nakata Hideo (Ring series) and South Korea's Park Chan-wook (Old Boy) and Bong Joon-ho (The Host) are among the world-renowned Asian filmmakers who have had projects selected for the 2008 edition of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
China Film raises capital for digital production centre
19-Dec-2007Continuing its capital-raising streak, Chinese state-owned conglomerate, China Film Group Corporation, has issued $67.7m (RMB500m) in corporate bonds to finance digital film production and cinemas.
Hong Kong's Pang Brothers to direct Storm Riders sequel
12-Dec-2007Hong Kong-based Universe Entertainment is lining up a sequel to 1998 martial arts fantasy The Storm Riders, to be directed by the Pang Brothers (Bangkok Dangerous, Re-cycle).
3D dominates discussions at biggest ever CineAsia
6-Dec-20073D and digital cinema have been the major talking points of this year's CineAsia conference (Dec 4-6), which is being held for the first time in the gambling mecca of Macau.
Taiwan's Wall takes top honours at IFFI Goa fest
4-Dec-2007Taiwanese director Lin Chih Ju's The Wall was awarded the Golden Peacock and a cash prize of $25,500 (Rs1m) at the closing of the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa last night.
Lumiere, Infinity FCS join forces for Indo-Brazilian alliance
30-Nov-2007Indian film completion guarantor, Infinity Film Completion Services, has taken a 25% stake in Brazilian producer-distributor Lumiere as the first step in an Indo-Latin American alliance spanning production and distribution.
Mumbai, London sign co-operation agreement
22-Nov-2007London and Mumbai have solidified the relationship between their two film production industries by signing a city-to-city agreement.
Indie India - A parallel reality
16-Nov-2007Just as the US has film-makers working outside the studio system, India has a whole army of directors and producers attempting to carve a niche away from the vast and all-consuming Bollywood film industry.
Indie India - Get set, Goa!
15-Nov-2007After struggling to find its feet in the past few years, the film market of the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa is undergoing a radical overhaul this year in partnership with government agency, the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc).
Korea's Studio2.0 scores sales on Epitaph, Lovers
15-Nov-2007Korean production and sales company Studio2.0 clinched a string of sales on new titles Epitaph and Lovers Of 6 Years at the recent AFM.
Tanovic, Lichtenberg among mentors for Goa script workshop
12-Nov-2007Danis Tanovic, Bernd Lichtenberg and Olivia Hetreed are among the high-profile writers who will mentor eight students at a script development workshop, Screenwriters Bloc, to be held next week in Goa, India (Nov 18-23).
Paramount, DreamWorks pact for Chinese DVD distribution
8-Nov-2007Warner Home Video has inked an agreement with Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation to distribute their upcoming DVDs in mainland China.
Da Silva launches boutique consultancy Novo Films
5-Nov-2007EuropaCorp artistic advisor Francois Da Silva has left the company to establish his own boutique consultancy, Novo Films.
Film Library picks up Chinese dramaBefore The Sunrise
5-Nov-2007Hong Kong-based sales outfit The Film Library has picked up international rights to Derek Chiu's historical drama Before The Sunrise (previously known as Road To Dawn).
iDream sells Shelley to South Africa, Australia
5-Nov-2007India's iDream Independent Pictures has sold Lorraine Senna's Americanizing Shelly, starring Beau Bridges and Namrata Singh Gujral, to several territories including South Africa 's Ster Kinekor and Rialto for Australia and New Zealand.
Korea's Megabox snaps up Penelope, Ramen Girl
5-Nov-2007Continuing the Korean buying spree at the AFM, Seoul-based exhibitor Megabox has snapped up two titles - romantic comedy Penelope, starring Reese Witherspoon, from Hyde Park International, and The Ramen Girl, starring Brittany Murphy, from Media 8 Entertainment.
Korea's Mirovision startscreating Tomorrow News
5-Nov-2007Korea's Mirovision has unveiled two new productions - disaster thriller Tomorrow News and epic romantic comedy Once Upon A Time.
Japan's Madhouse sells Ninja Scroll remake rights
5-Nov-2007Japanese animation studio Madhouse has sold live-action remake rights to cult anime title Ninja Scroll to Warner Bros Pictures.
Mirovision leads Korean buying charge at AFM
4-Nov-2007South Korea is re-emerging as a buying force at this market with several Korean distributors making multiple acquisitions of hot US and international product. Mirovision has been the most aggressive on the buying front, acquiring nine titles, including Ed Zwick's Defiance from Essential Entertainment, The Women from Inferno Distribution and Juno from Mandate ...
CJ pre-sells Park Chan-wook's new project to France, Russia
4-Nov-2007Korea's CJ Entertainment has pre-sold Park Chan-wook's Untitled Project, set to star Song Kang-ho, to France's Wild Side Films and Russia's Maywin Media. Currently in pre-production, the film is about a small-town priest who volunteers for a medical experiment which fails and turns him into a vampire. It was previously known as Bat. Maywin Media also acquired Russian rights to Lee Chang-dong's Secret ...
iDream takes on Santosh Sivan's Boy With Grenade
4-Nov-2007Mumbai and London-based iDream Independent Pictures has boarded Boy With Grenade, the latest project from Indian filmmaker Santosh Sivan whose Before The Rains screened at Toronto this year. iDream will fully finance and handle international sales on Boy With Grenade which was one of the selected projects at this year's Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) in South Korea. Set in Kashmir, the ...
Asian Content Center launched with NHK support
3-Nov-2007Former Amuse executives Hisashi Yamamoto and Takaomi Deguchi have launched a film and TV production outfit, Asia Content Center (ACC), with an innovative financing model backed by its ties to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
Golden Network pacts with Dadi Century for three
3-Nov-2007Hong Kong-based sales agent Golden Network Asia has picked up three titles from China 's Dadi Century Film, including martial arts drama Wushu, which now has Jackie Chan on board as executive producer.
UFO beams up Empress And The Warriors
3-Nov-2007Hong Kong production house United Filmmakers Organization (UFO) is attending the AFM to directly sell romantic action picture An Empress And The Warriors, directed by Tony Siu-Tung Ching.
First Look takes US rights to Blood Brothers
2-Nov-2007First Look Studios has acquired US rights to John Woo and Terence Chang-produced Blood Brothers, which is being sold by Fortissimo Films.
Jaman seals strategic partnership with Terra.com
2-Nov-2007Online film community Jaman.com has signed a multi-year strategic partnership with leading Latino internet portal Terra.com.
Korea's M&FC makes market debut with Sword Of Zen
2-Nov-2007Korean film and music company M&FC is making its debut as a seller at the AFM with a varied slate including Park Heung-sik's action epic A Sword Of Zen.
Phat Phishteams up with Morgan for international push
2-Nov-2007Start-up Indian production company Phat Phish has brought on board veteran sales agent Kathy Morgan as a consultant in its aim to secure international distribution for a slate of independent Indian features.
Chengtian acquires 25% stake in Golden Harvest
1-Nov-2007Beijing-based Chengtian Entertainment Group has reached a deal with Raymond Chow, chairman of Hong Kong 's Golden Harvest Entertainment, to buy his shareholding in the company.
J.A. Media picks up Lin's Somersault Punk
1-Nov-2007Beijing-based J.A. Media has picked up worldwide rights to Taiwanese filmmaker Lin Yu-hsien's upcoming sports drama Somersault Punk.
Muay Thai Chaiya kicks its way to France, Germany
1-Nov-2007Thailand 's Five Star Entertainment has sold action title Muay Thai Chaiya to France 's Wild Side Films, Germany 's EMS and Brazil 's Global Media Holdings, among other territories.
Pretty Pictures stares into Jiang Wen's Sun
1-Nov-2007France 's Pretty Pictures has acquired Jiang Wen's Venice competition entry The Sun Also Rises from Hong Kong 's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP).
Asian buyers eat up Show East's Le Grand Chef
1-Nov-2007Korean seller Show East has closed a raft of Asian deals on foodie drama Le Grand Chef.
Lau to produce Water Margin trilogy for Media Asia
31-Oct-2007Hong Kong filmmaker Andrew Lau, who was behind the three Infernal Affairs films, is lining up a second trilogy, this time based on the Chinese classic novel, Water Margin.
Fortissimo duo to receive excellence award at CineAsia
31-Oct-2007Fortissimo Films co-chairmen Michael J. Werner and Wouter Barendrecht have been selected to be the recipients of a special CineAsia 'Award of Excellence' for their achievements in promoting Asian cinema worldwide.
Fortissimo dives in with Callahan's Against The Current
31-Oct-2007Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights to US drama Against The Current, directed by Peter Callahan and starring Joseph Fiennes. Callahan previously directed 2001 award-winning indie title Last Ball. His new project stars Fiennes as a man coping with grief who sets out to swim the 150 mile-long Lower Hudson River. The cast also includes Elizabeth Reaser (The ...
Japan's Gaga Films arrives at AFM with co-production ambitions
31-Oct-2007Gaga's production and sales arm, Gaga Films, is attending the AFM with a slate of co-productions, underscoring the Japanese outfit's strategy to become active in pan-Asian as well as international co-productions.Cyborg She, financed by a Japanese production consortium and Korea's Centurion Movie & Knowledge 3rd Investment Fund, is being directed by Korean filmmaker Kwak Jae-young, whose credits include pan-Asian hits
Japan's Fuji TV unveils big-budget AFM slate
26-Oct-2007Japanese broadcaster and film financier Fuji TV has announced a slate of big-budget titles which are being handled by sales agents Gaga Communications and Pony Canyon at the AFM.
Disney India taps Samat, Star ups Shankar, Kumar
26-Oct-2007Walt Disney International president Andy Bird has announced that Mahesh Samat has been appointed as managing director of Mumbai-based Walt Disney Company India.
Shochiku closes raft of Asian sales on Midnight Eagle
24-Oct-2007On the last day of the TIFFCOM market, Japanese studio Shochiku announced that it has closed a raft of Asian sales on action thriller Midnight Eagle, which opened the Tokyo International Film Festival last week.
Golden Network carries Case, Peach Blossom to AFM
24-Oct-2007Hong Kong-based sales agent Golden Network Asia has picked up worldwide rights excluding mainland China to two titles from Chinese producer Lola Zhang's Yunnan New Film Project - Wang Fen's The Case and Peach Blossom Land, to be directed by Huang Ruxiang.
TIFFCOM: Nonzee's Chao Phraya River wins TPG award
24-Oct-2007Thai director Nonzee Nimibutr's Just As Chao Phraya River Flows picked up the first ever Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG) Award at the conclusion of the TIFFCOM market on Wednesday night (Oct 24).
TIFFCOM: US talent agents advise Japan on creating demand
23-Oct-2007Find top US directors to support your talent and capitalise on US films shooting in Japan were among the nuggets of advice that Hollywood agents and casting directors offered to Japan's talent powerhouses at a TIFFCOM seminar today.
Fung appointed as Hong Kong FDC secretary general
23-Oct-2007Wellington Fung has been appointed as secretary-general of Hong Kong's recently-established film industry support body, the Film Development Council (FDC).
TIFFCOM gets underway with 15% increase in visitors
22-Oct-2007The fourth edition of the TIFFCOM market (Oct 22-24) got underway in Tokyo this morning with 3,366 registered participants, an increase of 15% from last year, according to organisers.
Pusan cements regional role
19-Oct-2007As it turned 12 this year, the Pusan International Film Festival (Piff) started to exhibit growing pains. But the burgeoning South Korean festival, with its mandate to discover and support Asian cinema, is still widely recognised as the premiere event in Asia - putting it in the rankings that follow Cannes, Venice and Berlin as must-attend events.
PUSAN: Asian Film Market better for schmoozing then selling
12-Oct-2007As the second Asian Film Market wound down on Thursday (Oct 11), the consensus seemed to be that Pusan is still a key meeting point for the pan-Asian film industry - as it was before the launch of the market - but has some way to go before it becomes a major international platform for buying and selling.
PUSAN: Wang's 11 Flowers wins Pusan Award
11-Oct-2007Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai's 11 Flowers was presented with the $20,000 Pusan Award at the closing of the Asian Film Market and Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) on Thursday night.
PUSAN NEW SELLER: Taiwan's Joint moves into international sales
8-Oct-2007Taiwan's Joint Entertainment, founded by James Liu, has expanded from distribution into international sales.
PUSAN NEW SELLER: Movie Plus sets sights on Asian production
8-Oct-2007Movie Plus Group, the international producer-distributor founded by French animation producer Jean Chalopin, is making its Asian market debut here in Pusan.
PUSAN: Asian Film Market has quiet but steady opening
8-Oct-2007The second edition of the Asian Film Market kicked off in Pusan on Monday (Oct 8) with quiet corridors on the sales office floors, but a strong turn-out at concurrent seminars and projects markets.
MIPCOM: Celestial expands reach into Slovenia, Israel
8-Oct-2007Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has signed exclusive TV distribution deals for its Shaw Brothers library with Slovenia's Viasat Broadcasting UK Limited (Viasat) and Israel's SAT-Interactive Limited (SAT).
PUSAN: KOFIC, UK Film Council sign distribution agreement
7-Oct-2007The UK Film Council (UKFC) and Korean Film Council (KOFIC) have signed a co-distribution agreement, under which they will provide p&a support to films from each other's territories.
PUSAN: Huayi Brothers to produce $20m D-Project
5-Oct-2007Chinese producer-distributor Huayi Brothers will be commencing sales on a $20m suspense thriller, to be directed by Hong Kong 's Tsui Hark, at Pusan 's Asian Film Market next week.
Tsi joins Soft-Trek as head of content production
4-Oct-2007Former Hong Kong International Film Festival director Peter Tsi has joined Chinese production and artist management company, Soft-Trek Media, as general manager of content development and production.
Hong Kong's HAF projects market open for submissions
4-Oct-2007The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) has made its first call for project submissions, which it will accept until November 15.
Hong Kong's FDC unveils details of film fund
3-Oct-2007Hong Kong's Film Development Council, established by the government earlier this year to support the ailing local film industry, has unveiled details of its Film Development Fund (FDF), which aims to provide financial support for small-to-medium budget film productions.
28-Sep-2007Now in its second year as a fully fledged market, Pusan's Asian Film Market (October 8-11) is still relatively small and takes place at one of the busiest times of the year - but is already considered a key event by many international buyers and sellers.
Lust, Caution has strong opening in HK, Taiwan
27-Sep-2007Ang Lee's Lust, Caution had a record-breaking opening in Hong Kong and Taiwan on September 25, which was also the date of this year's mid-autumn festival public holiday.
Warner Bros, TWC sign up for two Imagi features
27-Sep-2007Hong Kong and Los Angeles-based Imagi Animation Studios has signed a deal with Warner Bros Pictures and The Weinstein Company for worldwide distribution of its upcoming 3D animated features Gatchaman and Astroboy.
Forbidden Kingdom moves to South Korea for effects work
27-Sep-2007Relativity Media's kung-fu action adventure The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan, has wrapped in China and will now move to South Korea for visual effects work.
Hong Kong selects Exiled as Oscar submission
24-Sep-2007Hong Kong's Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong (FMFP) has selected Johnnie To's Exiled as the territory's entry for the best foreign-language film category of next year's Academy Awards.
Columbia, French buyers get busy at Beijing Screenings
21-Sep-2007State-owned China Film Group announced a slew of sales and co-production deals on the last day of the four-day Beijing Screenings (Oct 18-21).
China Film Group reveals plans to launch IPO
19-Sep-2007China Film Group chairman Han San Ping announced the state-owned conglomerate's intention to list on the Chinese stock market through an IPO, at the opening of the Beijing Screenings yesterday (Sep 18).
Sony, Eros to co-finance slate of Hindi films
19-Sep-2007Sony Pictures Entertainment and global Bollywood producer-distributor Eros International plan to co-invest in a slate of Hindi films, to be released in India and around the world.
A match made in Bollywood
14-Sep-2007A Chinese-language, partially studio-backed film, Ang Lee's Lust, Caution, may have just walked off with the top prize from Venice, but these days the US studios seem more intent on learning Hindi than Mandarin Chinese.
Tokyo Project Gathering unveils 38 projects
13-Sep-2007The organisers of the third Tokyo Project Gathering (TPG) have unveiled the 38 projects that will take part in this year's edition (Oct 21-24).
Tsi resigns as director of Hong Kong film festival
6-Sep-2007Peter Tsi has resigned as executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), citing personal reasons.
Chan makes English-language debut with Don't Look Up
5-Sep-2007Distant Horizon has announced that award-winning Hong Kong director Fruit Chan will direct the English-language remake of Japanese filmmaker Hideo Nakata's Don't Look Up.
Blood Brothers has strong opening in mainland China
28-Aug-2007Alexi Tan's Blood Brothers, produced by Lion Rock Productions and Taiwan 's CMC Entertainment, has raked in around $3m (RMB23m) in mainland China between its opening on August 16 and last Sunday (Aug 26).
Warner Bros enters Hindi-language film production
22-Aug-2007Warner Bros has announced its long-anticipated move into local production in India by boarding action comedy Made In China, to be directed by Nikhil Advani and star action hero Akshay Kumar.
India's Adlabs lines up multi-territory release for Marigold
6-Aug-2007Indian studio Adlabs has lined up an Aug 17 day-and-date release in the US, UK and India for Hollywood/Bollywood romantic comedy Marigold. The long-gestating fusion pic, starring Ali Larter and Bollywood star Salman Khan, will be rolled out on 80-100 prints in the US, around 50 in the UK and 300 plus in India. Filmed in English, the $10m production has been dubbed into Hindi for the Indian release, although some English prints will also ...
Imagi appoints Cheung to head Hong Kong animation
2-Aug-2007Imagi International Holdings has appointed former DreamWorks CGI animator Tim Cheung as vice president, animation.
Desert Dream wins best film at India's Cinefan festival
30-Jul-2007Korean-French co-production Desert Dream , directed by Zhang Lu, was awarded best film in the Asian-Arab competition of this year's Cinefan film festival, which wrapped in New Delhi on Sunday night (July 29).
Osian's launches fund for Asian, Arab filmmakers
25-Jul-2007Indian arts organisation Osian's, organiser of the Cinefan film festival which is currently in progress in Delhi, is launching a development fund to support filmmakers from India, Asia and the Arab region.
Chan to star in Tokyo-set drama Shinjuku Incident
23-Jul-2007Hong Kong's JCE Movies is set to produce Japan-set drama The Shinjuku Incident, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Derek Yee.
Cinefan opens with Iran-Azerbaijan co-production Raami
21-Jul-2007Osian's Cinefan 9th Festival of Asian & Arab Cinema opened in Delhi on Friday night (July 20) with the international premiere of Iran-Azerbaijan co-production Raami.
Hong Kong's Sundream appoints Nan Wong as distribution chief
18-Jul-2007Hong Kong distribution executive Nan Wong has joined local producer-distributor Sundream Motion Pictures as general manager of distribution.
TWC homes in on Chan's Invisible Target
11-Jul-2007The Weinstein Company (TWC) has picked up all rights for North America, Australia and South Africa to Benny Chan's upcoming action drama Invisible Target from Hong Kong 's Universe Films Distribution.
Salon Films' Charles Wang dies aged 74
11-Jul-2007Charles Wang, managing director of Hong Kong-based production services group Salon Films, died from cancer last week (July 6) in a New York City hospital at the age of 74.
FIAPF defends film festival accreditation system
9-Jul-2007International producers' association FIAPF has issued a statement in response to criticisms of its film festival accreditation system that were made in a public forum at the recent Shanghai International Film Festival.
Celestial Pictures launches kung-fu mobile TV channel
28-Jun-2007Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has launched a mobile TV channel, Kung Fu TV, on leading Thai mobile network provider Advanced Info Service (AIS).
SIFF awards new Asian talents in two ceremonies
24-Jun-2007Sheng Zhimin's Bliss won best film at the Shanghai International Film Festival's Asian New Talent Awards on Saturday night (June 23).
France's Rosem Films sets up Hong Kong beachhead
21-Jun-2007French producer Rosem Films has established a Hong Kong production office, which will produce the next projects from award-winning Chinese directors Wang Chao and Guo Xiaolu.
Shanghai Film Forum delegates talk finance, festivals
18-Jun-2007Marketing is no longer a dirty word in the new China and indeed a whole day was devoted to the topic on the second day of the Jin Jue International Film Forum at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF).
Shanghai fest announces projects for China Film Pitch
17-Jun-2007The organisers of the inaugural China Film Pitch & Catch (CFPC) have unveiled the 30 projects that will be seeking finance during the two-day event, which is being held as part of this year's Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF).
Flashpoint acquires remake rights to Hong Kong's Phoenix
27-May-2007LA-based Flashpoint Entertainment has acquired the English-language remake rights to Hong Kong action comedy Enter The Phoenix from JCE Movies.
Deltamac snaps up Diving Bell, Lionsgate titles
25-May-2007Hong Kong distributor Deltamac had a busy Cannes where it picked up competition film The Diving Bell And The Butterfly and two other titles.
Rintaro's Japanese 3D penguins go Wild
24-May-2007Wild Bunch has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Asia and North America, to 3D CG-animated feature Yona Yona Penguin, which is being directed by Japanese anime master Rintaro. Japanese animation studio Madhouse Inc and Paris-based Denis Friedman Productions are co-producing the film which is scheduled for release in Japan in December 2008. Shochiku will handle Japanese distribution and Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia is handling ...
Chase marks first Indian movie shot entirely in Italy
24-May-2007India's Adlabs Films and production house ASP White are planning to shoot $5m action adventure Chase in Rome, marking the first time that an Indian feature has been entirely filmed in Italy. ASP White founder Anubhav Sinha will direct and is producing the film, which is scheduled to shoot in August/September, with Aditya Bhattacharya as executive producer. Most of the technical and artistic heads of department and crew will be Italian, ...
Monsoon and IdtV make first co-production with Nadra
23-May-2007Singapore production company Monsoon Pictures and Dutch filmmakers IdtV Film are joining forces to co-produce $6.5m drama Nadra.The project, which marks the first co-production between Singapore and the Netherlands, tells the true story of a 13-year-old Dutch girl at the centre of a fierce custody battle between her birth parents and Malay adoptive mother.The controversial case erupted into riots between Muslims and Christians ...
Madman buys Imagi's animated Highlander
23-May-2007Madman Entertainment has acquired rights for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to Imagi International Holdings' Highlander: The Search For Vengeance.The first animated feature in the 20-year-old Highlander franchise, the film is directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri.Starz Media has US and UK rights while Tohokushinsha pre-bought Japanese rights. Hong Kong and LA-based Imagi also produced ...
Style Jam finds Korean buyers for four titles including Drifting
23-May-2007Japan's Style Jam has closed sales of four titles which are currently in post-production to South Korea.Shinji Aoyama's Sad Vacation, starring Tadanobu Asano, and Miki Satoshi's Drifting have been acquired by Korea's Sponge Entertainment.Meanwhile Korea's Cinema Valley also acquired two titles from Style Jam - Ryo Iwamatsu's Then Summer Came, ...
BIG Media rides with Jingle Ma's Playboy Cops
22-May-2007Hong Kong's BIG Media Group is joining forces with mainland Chinese digital cinema operator Time Antaeus to co-produce Jingle Ma's next project Playboy Cops.Chinese actor Chen Kun and Hong Kong's Shawn Yue are set to star in the $2.2m action comedy which is scheduled to start shooting at the end of June. Yue will play a Hong Kong cop with a rich but corrupt father working with a mainland cop who has inherited a fortune.Ma ...
Double Edge comes on board for King Of Fighters
22-May-2007Taiwan's Double Edge Entertainment has boarded King Of Fighters: The Movie which it will jointly finance and produce with Japan's Micott & Basara and Arclight Films/Easternlight Films.Bobby Sheng, CEO of the Los Angeles and Taipei-based production and finance outfit, will produce alongside Axis Entertainment's Joseph Chou and Convergence Entertainment's Tim Kwok.The live-action adaptation of SNK Playmore's best-selling video ...
Fortissimo fires up Wong Kar Wai's Ashes sales
22-May-2007Wong Kar Wai's Ashes Of Time Redux is proving to be a hot seller at Cannes with Fortissimo Films closing deals with Germany's Splendid, Brazil's Imagem Filmes and Svensk Filmindustri for Scandinavia, among other territories. Poland's Monolith, Turkey's D Productions and Romania's Media Rights have also snapped up Wong's reworking of his 1994 martial arts classic, which Sony Pictures Classics acquired at the start of the market.
Chow's Star rises with Columbia collaboration
22-May-2007Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia (CPFPA) has sealed a multi-picture production collaboration with Hong Kong filmmaker Stephen Chow's The Star Overseas. The two companies, which previously collaborated on Chow's hit action comedy Kung-fu Hustle, will work together on a series of niche films featuring emerging Asian talent both above and below the line. The first project under the new relationship will be
Distant Horizon takes North American rights to Flash Point
22-May-2007Anant Singh's Distant Horizon has acquired North American rights to Hong Kong martial arts film Flash Point from Mandarin Films. This latest collaboration between director Wilson Yip Wai-shun and actor Donnie Yen, follows a cop and his undercover colleague trying to take down a ruthless gang of triads in 1997 Hong Kong. Yen also choreographed the action, which features a variety of martial arts styles. Louis Koo, Collin Chou, ...
Kiriyama makes directing debut on Yoroi
21-May-2007Japanese scriptwriter Isao Kiriyama, a regular collaborator with cult director Ryuhei Kitamura, is set to make his directing debut on horror project Yoroi for Gaga Communications. Kitamura has developed the project which he will also produce alongside Ring producer Shinya Kawai. The story revolves around a hostage family on the run from samurai zombies. Kitamura shot to international ...
Sleepless writer turns to the devil with Pacifica
21-May-2007Christine Iso's LA-based Pacifica International is producing an action adventure that tells the story behind the devil's fall from grace, which is being scripted by Sleepless In Seattle writer David S. Ward.
JA Media unveils debut five-picture slate
20-May-2007Start-up Chinese production outfit JA Media has unveiled plans to invest $200m in film and TV production over the next five years, along with details of its debut $30m five-picture slate.
Golden Harvest rings L's bells
20-May-2007Hong Kong-based Golden Harvest Entertainment has pre-bought Hong Kong and Taiwanese rights to Nippon Television Network's upcoming Death Note spin-off which has the working title L. The original Death Note and its sequel grossed more then $67m in Japan. The spin-off, directed by Hideo Nakata and starring Kenichi Matsuyama, is scheduled to start ...
UTV looks to acquisitions for new channels
19-May-2007India's UTV is ramping up its acquisition activities here at Cannes ahead of the launch of a bouquet of new movie channels over the coming months. The first to launch will be Bindass Movies, a companion to general entertainment channel Bindass, both of which are aimed at upwardly mobile 16-35 year-olds. UTV's acquisitions team is acquiring mostly English-language product for Bindass Movies which is scheduled to launch on July 15. In November, UTV aims to also launch ...
Arclight and Micott & Basara fund fighters
19-May-2007Arclight Films and Japan's Micott & Basara will jointly finance and produce a live-action adaptation of bestselling video game King Of Fighters, which is set to be directed by Hong Kong film-maker Gordon Chan.Chan (The Medallion, Fist Of Legend) will direct from a script by Chris Chow who wrote the Bill Kong-produced features Fearless and
Germany's Splendid takes on Jaa's Ong Bak 2
18-May-2007Germany's Splendid has become the first distributor to pounce on Ong Bak 2, starring and directed by Tony Jaa, since The Weinstein Company surrendered international rights to the project. TWC acquired all rights excluding Asia and the UK to the film last year, from Thailand's Sahamongkolfilm International, but recently renegotiated the deal and handed back all territories except North America. Currently in production, the ...
New Line takes North America on Darclight's Sick House
18-May-2007New Line Cinema has acquired North American rights from Darclight Films to the British horror film The Sick House.Directed and co-written by Curtis Radclyffe, the film tells the story of an archaeologist, played by Gina Phillips (Jeepers Creepers), who becomes trapped in an abandoned hospital and is preyed upon by an incarnation of the plague. The film is screening in the Cannes market on May ...
Last Vampire gets first bite in UK
18-May-2007Hong Kong producer Bill Kong has sealed one of the first major deals on upcoming action title Blood: The Last Vampire in the first days of the market, by selling all UK rights to Pathe UK Distribution. Chris Nahon is directing the $35m English-language film starring Korean superstar Gianna Jun (aka Jeon Ji-hyun) and Western actors Allison Miller, Liam Cunningham and Colin Salmon. Cory Yuen, who previously worked with Nahon ...
Fortissimo ties the knot with Iceland's Country Wedding
18-May-2007Fortissimo Films has acquired all rights outside Scandinavia to Icelandic comedy Country Wedding, currently shooting in Snaefellsness, Iceland.
Japanese in Cannes talk co-production cash
18-May-2007Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-Cho) is attending Cannes this year to talk up the subsidies that are available in Japan for international co-productions.
Thailand's GMM Tai Hub sells Alone to UniKorea
18-May-2007Thailand's GMM Tai Hub (GTH) has sold Korean rights to horror hit Alone to UniKorea. The company also sold to a string of other territories including France, Benelux and Brazil. Alone stars Thai pop singer-model-TV actress Marsha Wattanapanich as an expat wife living in Korea. The second film from the directors of Shutter, Parkpoom ...
CMC boards Chen Kaige's biopic of opera singer Mei Lanfang
17-May-2007Taiwan's CMC Entertainment has boarded Chen Kaige's upcoming biopic of Chinese opera singer Mei Lanfang as co-producer alongside China Film Group. Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi are being lined up to star in the $15m film which is tentatively scheduled to start shooting in July. Mei, who was famous for playing women on stage, provided inspiration for Chen's award-winning Farewell My Concubine which shared the Palme d'Or with
Easternlight makes Fatal Contact with TWC
17-May-2007The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired North American rights to Hong Kong martial arts action title Fatal Contact from Arclight Films' Asian division Easternlight.
SCB on board for gap finance of Hippo's Wushu
17-May-2007Hong Kong 's Hippopotamus Films has concluded a financing deal with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), which will help arrange gap finance on its upcoming martial arts drama Wushu.
UTV launches new film banner Spotboy
17-May-2007India's UTV Motion Pictures is launching a second motion picture brand, Spotboy Motion Pictures, to be headed by Vikas Bahl, who was formerly business head of Indian broadcaster SAB TV.
Fukusaku and Oshii unite to lead Toei's Rebellion
16-May-2007Japanese studio Toei is developing a sci-fi action project, Rebellion: The Killing Isle (working title), uniting two of Japan's hottest film-making talents - Kenta Fukasaku and Mamoru Oshii.Battle Royale II director Fukasaku is set to direct the $10m film from a script by Oshii - director of acclaimed anime titles Ghost In The Shell ...
Emperor takes stake in Jay Chou project Kung Fu Dunk
16-May-2007Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has taken an equity position in the new Jay Chou martial arts action comedy Kung Fu Dunk, and will handle sales of the film to all territories in Europe and the Americas.
Universe strikes Asian deals for Invisible Target
16-May-2007Hong Kong's Universe Films Distribution has concluded several Asian deals on Benny Chan's upcoming action title Invisible Target between Hong Kong Filmart and Cannes.
Hong Kong's Triangle added to Cannes official selection
14-May-2007Hong Kong-Chinese action thriller Triangle, directed by Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, has been added to Cannes official selection just days before the festival begins.
India on parade
11-May-2007The Indian film industry is rapidly expanding its worldwide reach. On the eve of Cannes, Liz Shackleton looks at how the territory's leading producers and distributors are making their films more attractive to an international audience.
India: who's who at the market
11-May-2007Liz Shackleton profiles some of the leading Indian film companies and what they are selling at Cannes.
India's Seven ramps up with Moser Baer backing
10-May-2007Mumbai-based producer Seven Entertainment is making its Cannes debut with an expanded line-up of independent pictures, just a few months after securing backing from optical disc manufacturer Moser Baer.
Warner Bros signs Hong Kong VoD deal with Video Online
10-May-2007Start-up video-on-demand operator VideoOnline Communications has signed a multi-year VoD and subscription VoD agreement with Warner Bros International Television Distribution (WBITD) for Hong Kong rights to all current feature-length films in addition to hundreds of library titles.
Hong Kong's first IMAX cinema to open with Panda Adventure
10-May-2007Hong Kong 's first IMAX cinema, the seven-screen UA MegaBox, is set to open in June withthe screening of large-format title China: The Panda Adventure.
Mandarin finds Tsui Hark's Missing on Cannes slate
9-May-2007Hong Kong 's Mandarin Films Distribution has added the latest picture from Tsui Hark, romantic thriller Missing, to its Cannes slate.
Hong Kong's Johnnie To splits from Milkyway Image
8-May-2007Leading Hong Kong director Johnnie To is parting ways from Milkyway Image, the production outfit he founded with fellow filmmaker Dennis Law, which is listed on Hong Kong's Growth Enterprise Market (GEM).
Network 18 launches $110m fund for Indian film
30-Apr-2007India's Network 18 Group is launching a fund to invest in both Indian films and films targeted at Indian audiences, which aims to raise $110m via a flotation on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
China's J.A. Media taps Chan, Shi as consultants
26-Apr-2007Start-up Chinese producer-distributor J.A. Media has tapped former Media Asia sales chief Jeffrey Chan and leading Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi as consultants as it ramps up its film distribution activities.
Emperor Motion Pictures appoints Ng as sales chief
23-Apr-2007Former Celestial Pictures executive Alan Ng has joined Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) as assistant general manager, distribution.
Fortissimo's Eye In The Sky turns to Constantin
16-Apr-2007German distributor Constantin Film has acquired all rights to Hong Kong action thriller Eye In The Sky from Fortissimo Films.
Hong Kong government unveils Film Development Council
16-Apr-2007The Hong Kong government has announced the establishment of the long-awaited Hong Kong Film Development Council (HKFDC) to be chaired by Jack So who is currently chairman of the existing Film Development Committee.
Love, Betelnut conquer Hong Kong film festival awards
4-Apr-2007Malaysian director Tan Chui-mui and China's Yang Heng continued their awards sweep at the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) yesterday where both picked up prizes in the Asian Digital Competition.
Columbia Asia acquires worldwide rights to Chow's A Hope
30-Mar-2007Sony's Hong Kong-based content arm, Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia (CPFPA), has acquired worldwide rights, excluding China, to Stephen Chow's latest comedy feature A Hope.
Market focus - Double ahead for India
30-Mar-2007India 's film industry is expected to more than double in value in the next five years, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The business will be worth $4.1bn (rup175bn) by 2011, compared to the $2bn (rup84.5bn) it was worth in 2006, according to the report presented at this week's Ficci-Frames conference in Mumbai.
Chan exits Hong Kong's Media Asia Distribution
29-Mar-2007Jeffrey Chan, head of distribution and sales at Hong Kong producer-distributor Media Asia, is leaving his position after five years with the company.
Indian film industry to double in value to $4bn in five years
26-Mar-2007India 's film industry is estimated to more than double in value to $4.05bn (Rs175bn) by 2011, compared to the $1.96bn (Rs84.5bn) it was worth in 2006, according to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers report presented at the FICCI-Frames conference in Mumbai today.
Filmart wraps with 20% increase in overseas visitors
23-Mar-2007Hong Kong Filmart closed on Friday (March 23) with organisers reporting a 20% increase in overseas visitors to 1,900, while the number of exhibitors was up 11% to 453 from more than 30 territories.
Chiao signs 10-picture output deal with Meridian Pictures
22-Mar-2007Taiwanese producer Peggy Chiao has signed an output deal with David Dong's Meridian Pictures, under which she will produce a slate of ten films for the Shanghai-based production and financing entity.
Big Media Group unveils plans to produce 100 movies
22-Mar-2007In defiant response to Hong Kong 's falling production levels, local producer BIG Media Group has unveiled a strategy to produce 100 movies in five years.
First Asia, then the world, says talent management panel
21-Mar-2007Asian production and talent management companies should worktogether to create stars that have impact at a regional level beforeattempting to break into Hollywood, said panelists at aScreen-organised seminar here yesterday.'In Korea, we have good producers but lack good networking opportunities outside the country,' said Teddy Hoon-tack Jung, CEO of Korean entertainment giant iHQ.'We are trying to create some content for our actors to launch them into the US, but ...
Katherine Lee joins ARM as vp distribution
21-Mar-2007ARM Distribution has appointed Katherine Lee as vice president of distribution effective April 2. ARM is handling sales on films jointly produced by Ruddy Morgan Organization and Applause Pictures' Peter Ho-sun Chan such as crime thriller Protege, directed by Derek Yee and starring Daniel Wu, and Chan's The Warlords, co-produced with China Film and Media Asia and starring Jet Li, Andy Lau and ...
ARP takes all French rights to Eye In The Sky
20-Mar-2007French distributor ARP Selection has acquired all rights to Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) opener Eye In The Sky from Fortissimo Films.Produced by Hong Kong's Milkyway Image for Sundream Motion Pictures, the film is the directorial debut of award-winning scriptwriter Yau Nai Hoi whose credits include Johnnie To's Election.The deal with ARP was concluded at Hong Kong Filmart ...
Hong Kong's Emperor makes Home Run with new production slate
20-Mar-2007Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures has unveiled a slate of new productions that have been developed by COO Philip Chan who joined the company last summer to ramp up its production activities.The slate includes in-house productions and projects to be co-produced with partners from other Chinese-speaking markets including mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan.First to start shooting is drama Home Run, to be directed Fang Gang-liang, ...
Mandarin Films banks on Wong's Wonder Woman
20-Mar-2007Hong Kong's Mandarin Films is commencing sales on Barbara Wong Chun-chun's upcoming comedy drama Wonder Woman here at Filmart.Gigi Leung and Fiona Sit will head the cast of the film which follows a local career woman during the period from the handover of Hong Kong until the present day.'Barbara will use a comical style to tell a story about the survival of career women in the past ten years,' says Mandarin distribution manager ...
The Host wins the most at inaugural Asian Film Awards
20-Mar-2007Bong Joon-ho's hit monster movie The Host was the big winner at the inaugural Asian Film Awards last night, scooping four out of ten prizes including best film and best actor for Song Kang-ho. The film, which is South Korea's biggest-grossing local production, also picked up best cinematographer for Kim Hyung-goo and best visual effects for US-based The Orphanage. Currently number one at the China box office,
Hong Kong's Mei Ah Entertainment scales Red Cliff
19-Mar-2007Mei Ah Entertainment has acquired all Hong Kong rights to John Woo's upcoming military epic Red Cliff.
Fortissimo picks up Yau Nai Hoi's Eye In The Sky
16-Mar-2007Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Asia but including Japan and Korea, to action thriller Eye In The Sky from Hong Kong 's Sundream Motion Pictures.
Entertainment Expo Hong Kong - Power surge
16-Mar-2007HONG KONG
Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2007
16-Mar-2007This year's edition sees many changes as Expo raises its profile in the international calendar. Filmart, HAF and Hkiff will start on the same day and work more closely to provide a platform to support the production and distribution of Asian and other international films.
Filmart - HK market stakes global claim
16-Mar-2007This year, many Asian sellers decided to skip Berlin's European Film Market in February and focus on the Hong Kong event (March 20-23) instead - a telling sign that the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) is raising its international profile.
HAF 2007 - Invested interest
16-Mar-2007Co-production markets have become a must-have accessory at film festivals from New York to Tokyo. The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is slightly different, however, in that it is a financing platform that was conceived independently and only later became attached to a film festival.Organised for the past two years by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and local industry body the Mpia, HAF was taken over by the Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hkiff) after ...
Hong Kong International Film Festival - Match makers
16-Mar-2007This year marks a radical shift in the ambitions of the 31-year-old Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hkiff). Although respected for the quality of its programming, the festival has traditionally focused on local audiences and has not had a high profile on the global film-festival circuit or been regarded as a key industry event.
Ambitious Hong Kong ready to scale new heights
12-Mar-2007This year's multi-faceted Hong Kong film season stretches to nearly a month of world-class events under the Entertainment Expo banner.Each distinct event is looking to stretch its brand to new limits. Three events - Filmart, co-production market HAF and the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) - all kick off on March 20 while the Expo runs until the Hong Kong Film Awards gala on April 15. Screen will be offering the best coverage of the event ...
Kaneshiro to replace Leung in Woo's Red Cliff
12-Mar-2007Taiwanese-Japanese star Takeshi Kaneshiro has replaced Tony Leung Chiu-wai in the cast of John Woo's upcoming military epic Red Cliff, after the Hong Kong actor had to quit the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Fortissimo teams with Entertainment Farm for Sonata
9-Mar-2007International sales and production company Fortissimo Films is partnering with Japan's Entertainment Farm to co-produce the tentatively titled Tokyo Sonata, to be directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Fortissimo will also handle international sales on the film.
Media Asia, Stellar to co-produce Lu's Nanking! Nanking!
5-Mar-2007Hong Kong's Media Asia is set to co-produce Chinese director Lu Chuan's upcoming period war drama Nanking! Nanking! with Beijing-based Stellar Megamedia and the China Film Group.
Hong Kong Filmart adds TV, locations showcases
2-Mar-2007This year's Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (Filmart) will host two new thematic pavilions - TV World and Locations World - as part of its drive to become the leading cross-media trading platform in the region.
HK government earmarks $38m for local film industry
28-Feb-2007The Hong Kong government has earmarked $38.4m (HK$300m) for the creation of a fund to support local film production and foster new talent.
Hong Kong film festival to feature 16 world premieres
22-Feb-2007This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival will feature 16 world premieres as part of an expanded line-up that reflects its new industry and international ambitions.
Chinese authorities ban film shooting in nature reserves
19-Feb-2007China has issued a new regulation that bans film shooting in nature reserves, scenic spots and at sites of historical interest across the country, according to state-owned news agency Xinhua.
Cyborg to open Hong Kong International Film Festival
14-Feb-2007Park Chan-wook's I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK, which is screening in competition at Berlin this year, has been selected as the opening film of the 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Fu to head Fox Home Entertainment China
13-Feb-2007Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) has appointed Alvin Fu as managing director of its China operations, effective immediately.
Original version of Lost In Beijing to screen at EFM
6-Feb-2007The production and sales companies behind Berlin competition title Lost In Beijing say they plan to screen the original version of the film at the European Film Market, rather than the modified version that was approved yesterday by China 's censors.
Hong Kong to host region-wide Asian Film Awards
29-Jan-2007Hong Kong is set to host the first ever Asian Film Awards (AFA), recognising talent from across the region, on the first night of the 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) on March 20.
Asian locations: China
26-Jan-2007China is not the easiest country to shoot in - the language barrier and script approval are just two obstacles that foreign producers face - but many filmmakers are finding the upside is worth it.
Asian locations: sets appeal
26-Jan-2007Asia has been attracting international productions for decades, but in recent years it has become a prime destination for footloose international producers in search of the cheapest and most exotic locations.
Easternlight picks up worldwide rights to Fatal Contact
19-Jan-2007Arclight Films' Asia-focused label Easternlight has picked up worldwide rights to Hong Kong action film Fatal Contact, which stars wushu champion and up-and-coming action star Wu Jing.
Shanghai International Film Festival to launch film market
19-Jan-2007The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is launching a film market at this year's edition which is scheduled to run June 16-24.
Celestial, Jaman sign online deal for Shaw Brothers package
18-Jan-2007Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has reached a long-term deal with Silicon Valley-based Jaman Inc, under which the online movie distributor has acquired internet distribution rights to 50 titles from the Shaw Brothers library for the US and Canada.
Hong Kong 's Universe lines up Invisible Target at EFM
17-Jan-2007Hong Kong 's Universe Films Distribution will be unveiling Benny Chan's latest action title at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM), an $8m cop drama starring Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue and Jaycee Chan.
Hong Kong - Turtles can fly at Imagi
12-Jan-2007Once regarded as a surefire bet at the box office, 3D CG animation has become a riskier business, as more studios enter the fray and the novelty of the genre declines with a flood of releases.
Chinese exhibition: What future for international investment'
6-Jan-2007When the Chinese government barred foreign companies from holding majority ownership of exhibition companies it led to the withdrawal of Warner Bros International Cinemas.Although it didn't come as a huge surprise, the recent decision by Warner Bros International Cinemas (WBIC) to pull out of China has taken some of the sheen off one of the world's fastest growing cinema markets. Multiplex development has been rapid in China over the past five years with WBIC, local ...
Leading Asian filmmakers selected for HAF
4-Jan-2007Leading Asian directorsincluding South Korea'sKim Jee-woon, China's Lou Ye and Japan's Kore-eda Hirokazu are among the 25 filmmakers whohave had projects selected for this year's edition of the Hong Kong Asia FilmFinancing Forum (HAF). Kim, whose ...
Hong Kong box office remains flat in 2006
3-Jan-2007Hong Kong's box officeremained flat in 2006 with overall takings of $116.5m (HK$907m), a marginalincrease of 0.22% compared to the $116.3m (HK$905m) taken the previous year. At the same time, localproduction continued its steady decline although the decreases in box officeand production volumes were not as great as some in the industry had predicted.Combined box office of localproductions was down by a ...
Curse continues to be blessed in Asian rollout
2-Jan-2007Zhang Yimou's $45m Curse Of The Golden Flower topped the box office in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia over the Christmas holidays.Following its record-breaking opening in China over the weekend of Dec 14-17, the lavish costume drama had grossed ...
Chinese fine Sohu and Shanghai store for copyright infringement
1-Jan-2007Chinese courts madetwo separate judgements against copyright infringers over the Christmasholidays, reflecting the increasing pressure that the country is under tocombat its high levels of piracy. On December 27, aBeijing court ruled that Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co, asubsidiary of NASDAQ-listed web portal Sohu.com, was guilty of copyrightinfringement when it posted digital files of movies on www.sohu.com ...
Sohu and Shanghai store fined for copyright infringement
1-Jan-2007Chinese courts have made two separate judgements against copyright infringers over the holiday period, reflecting the increasing pressure that the country is under to combat its high levels of piracy. On December 27, a Beijing court ruled that Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co, a subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed web portal Sohu.com, was guilty of copyright infringement when it posted digital files of movies on www.sohu.com for downloading ...
Focus duo leave company to form production outfit
1-Jan-2007Daniel Yu, chiefoperating officer of Andy Lau's Hong Kong-based Focus Films, and marketing anddistribution chief Lorna Tee, have left the company to form their ownproduction outfit. From Jan 1, 2007their roles are being filled by Simon Li, a director of Focus Films Limited,and marketing executive Sharon Cheng. Details of Yu andTee's new company will be announced later but the duo said they would continueto ...
Emperor Motion Pictures boards Jiang Wen's Sun
7-Dec-2006Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures has boarded Jiang Wen'supcoming The Sun Also Rises as salesagent and equity investor.
CJ to distribute Paramount titles in South Korea
29-Nov-2006Paramount PicturesInternational (PPI) has announced that CJ Entertainment (CJE) will become theexclusive distributor of Paramount titles in South Korea from February 1, 2007.
Hong Kong revs up for first ever drive-in
29-Nov-2006Hong Kong may be losing its only dedicated arthouse theatre,but is about to gain its first ever drive-in cinema.
China experiments with movie on-demand services
10-Nov-2006With its huge broadband andmobile phone subscriber base, not to mention its ability to leapfrog entireepochs in the evolution of consumer technology, China is well placed to set trends in the distribution ofmovies over new media platforms. But as with the country's traditional media,high levels of piracy, censorship and patchy infrastructure are holding themarket back.
China experiments with on-demand services
Media Asia seals further deals on Confession, Exiled
8-Nov-2006As the AFM draws to a closetoday, Hong Kong's Media Asia has sealed several more sales on its upcomingAndrew Lau and Alan Mak title ConfessionOf Pain and Johnnie To's Exiled.
China Vision Group pursues international production plans
6-Nov-2006Start-up Chineseproducer-distributor China Vision Group has retained global law firm Melveny& Myers (OMM) as part of its push into international production.
Hong Kong's Golden Network sells five to Brazilian distributors
6-Nov-2006Hong Kong-based GoldenNetwork Asia has secured a slew of sales to Brazil, which is emerging as one ofthe most acquisitive territories at the AFM.
The Core sells two to WPM in Thailand
6-Nov-2006Korean sales company TheCore Studio has sold two titles to Thailand's WPM -black comedy actionpicture No Mercy For The Rude andLee Myung-Se's new project M.
Tohokushinsha takes Japan on Scorsese's Stones doc
6-Nov-2006Tohokusinsha FilmCorporation has acquired all Japanese rights to Martin Scorsese's documentaryfeature about The Rolling Stones which is one of the hottest titles at the AFM.
Fortissimo on board for Hamilton's Mama's Boy
6-Nov-2006FortissimoFilms has picked up international rights outside North America to comedy Mama'sBoy from Warner Independent Pictures(WIP).Directedby Tim Hamilton, whose short film Truth In Advertising screened in competition at Cannes in 2001, Mama'sBoy stars Jon Heder who first cameto notice in indie hit Napoleon Dynamite.DianeKeaton, ...
Gaga moves into genre production with Ryuhei Kitamura
6-Nov-2006Japan's Gaga Communications,which has recently made a push into production with a slate of dramas, is nowmoving into genre filmmaking with cult Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura.
Media Asia assembles buyers for Feng
6-Nov-2006Hong Kong-based Media Asiahas boarded Feng Xiaogang's The Assemblyas co-producer and already sold almost all the territories it's handling on the$10m war epic.
Hong Kong film festival sets new industry direction
5-Nov-2006The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) is changing dates next year - to coincide with Hong Kong Filmart - and is undergoing a major repositioning to reflect changes in the international festival scene.Next year's HKIFF will open on March 20 and run for 18 days. The first nine days will focus on international guests, press and industry, while the second half will be geared more towards the local audience in Hong Kong. ...
Japan's Style Jam picks up sales, remake rights to Seven Days
4-Nov-2006Japan's Style Jam haspicked up international sales and remake rights to comedy drama, Seven DaysOf Assistant Manager Tsubakiyama,which is scheduled for a wide release in Japan on Nov 18.Produced by Be Wild,the film is about a fat, bald middle manager who passes away, but gets thechance to return ...
Chang takes lead in Kim Ki-duk's love story Breath
3-Nov-2006Taiwanese actor Chang Chen will star in Kim Ki-duk's upcoming lovestory Breath, markingthe first time that the acclaimed Korean director has worked with a foreignactor.
Shochiku sells three titles to Houston-based ADV
3-Nov-2006Shochiku has closed amulti-picture deal with Houston-based ADV Films which has acquired two features- Ghost Train and Synesthesia - and TV series Le Chevalier D'Eon from the Japanese studio.Under the terms of thedeal, ADV has acquired North American theatrical, video and TV rights ...
Thai Warrior sells to Japan, Brazil
3-Nov-2006Following its sale to Magnolia Pictures at the beginning of themarket, hot Thai action title Dynamite Warrior (Tabunfire) has sold to Japan and Brazil.
Tsui Hark signs to direct The Eye 3 with Chan
3-Nov-2006Leading Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark will direct The Eye 3 - the next installment in thepopular horror franchise - marking his first collaboration with producerPeter Ho-sun Chan.
Huayi Brothers signs on for Blood Brothers
2-Nov-2006Beijing-based Huayi Brothers has become the first distributor to sign on for Alexi Tan's Blood Brothers, acquiring all rights for mainland China to the $10m period drama which is produced by John Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions.
Celestial to remake two Shaw Brothers classics
2-Nov-2006Hong Kong-based CelestialPictures is introducing remakes of two martial arts classics in its ShawBrothers library - Five Deadly Venoms and The Flying Guillotine - here at the AFM and has attached leadingdirectors to both.
Magnolia seals Dynamite deal on Thai actioner
2-Nov-2006In the first domestic deal of the market, Magnolia Pictures has closed on North American rightsto Thai action adventure Dynamite Warrior (Tabunfire), starringThailand's latest action export Dan Chupong.Sahamongkolfilm ...
Pretty Pictures acquires Crossing The Line
Wong Kar-wai remodels classic Ashes Of Time
2-Nov-2006Wong Kar-wai is reworkinghis 1994 martial arts epic Ashes Of Time and the film is being sold at AFM by Fortissimo Films under the title AshesOf Time - Redux.
Applause teams with Ruddy Morgan to launch sales outfit ARM
1-Nov-2006Hong Kong productionoutfit Applause Pictures has teamed up with the Ruddy Morgan Organization tocreate an international sales company, ARM Distribution, which is making itsdebut at the AFM. The new outfit is beingassisted by Robbie and Ellen Little's The Little Film Company.
Scorsese's Stones doc goes to Paramount, Fortissimo
1-Nov-2006The long-gestating RollingStones documentary, which Martin Scorsese recently joined as director, hasstarted shooting in New York with Paramount Pictures on board as domesticdistributor and Fortissimo Films handling international rights.Scorsese, hot off thebiggest box office hit of his career in The ...
Dragon Tiger Gate's Yip, Yen reteam on City With No Mercy
1-Nov-2006The team behind Hong Kongaction hit Dragon Tiger Gate- director Wilson Yip and action director Donnie Yen - arereteaming in action adventure City With No Mercy, which Hong Kong's Mandarin Films Distribution islaunching at the AFM.
Japan still on outer edge of pan-Asian market
25-Oct-2006Japan may be Asia's largest box office territory, and currently one ofthe region's most active producers, but it's still only a peripheral player inthe developing pan-Asian market, according to speakers at a TIFFCOM seminar onTuesday.
Love Conquers All, Betelnut take top Pusan prizes
20-Oct-2006Malaysian drama Love Conquers All, directed by Tan ChuiMui, and Chinese director Heng Yang's Betelnutwere jointly awarded Best New Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the PusanInternational Film Festival (PIFF) on Friday night (Oct 20).
PIFF to expand to LA, launch TV channel
20-Oct-2006The Pusan International FilmFestival is collaborating with JoongAng Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) to setup a Los Angeles edition of the festival and also launch aPIFF-branded cable channel in South Korea.
PUSAN: Asian Film Market deals round-up
18-Oct-2006Cineclick Asia had a busymarket selling two horror titles to France's Wild Side Films - Hanzel And Gretel, directed by YimPil-sung (Antartic Journal), and Mommy's Risen, a co-production betweenCineclick and Blue Storm. Meanwhile, Thailand's J-bics picked up a package ofKim Tae-yong's quirky family drama FamilyTies; melodrama Love ...
PUSAN: Pang's Ibrahim takes top prize at PPP
18-Oct-2006The Pang Ho Cheung project, One Day Of Ibrahim, picked up the topprize at this year's Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) - the $20,000 Busan Awardpresented by the Metropolitan City of Busan.
PUSAN: Taiwan's Three Dots unveils DNA cast
17-Oct-2006Taiwanese actors Terri Kwanand Eddie Peng and Hong Kong's Peter Ho are set to star in Three DotsEntertainment's My DNA Says I Love You,written and to be directed by Robin Lee.
PUSAN: Avex boards Apple, Chen Kaige project
16-Oct-2006Following its investment in Beijing-basedChengtian Entertainment, Japan's Avex is making a push into Chinese production by co-financingtwo of the company's upcoming productions - Li Yu's Apple and a biopic to be directed by Chen Kaige.
PUSAN: Taiwan's Serenity signs up for Pain
16-Oct-2006Serenity EntertainmentInternational has acquired Taiwanese rights to Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's Confession Of Pain from Hong Kong's Media Asia.
PUSAN: Cha joins cast of Studio 2.0's Highway Star
Asian Film Market - a Screen guide
PUSAN: CJ Entertainment joins Focus: First Cuts
12-Oct-2006Korea's CJ Entertainment has boarded the Focus: First Cuts series of films,launched by Hong Kong star Andy Lau's Focus Films, as a project partnerand will distribute all six films in Korea from early 2007.
Leung to star in See Movie's Chinese Fairy Tale
8-Oct-2006Tony Leung Ka-fai has signedup to star in Lam Wai Lun's The ChineseFairy Tale (working title), to be co-produced by Hong Kong's See Movie and mainland Chinese partners.
Hong Kong's Innotion to launch CG feature at AFM
5-Oct-2006Start-up Hong Kong animationstudio Innotion is launching what it describes as the world's first CG bearmovie, Tonki Bear, at upcomingmarkets including MIPCOM and the AFM.
Celestial signs deals with Australian duo
5-Oct-2006Hong Kong-based CelestialPictures has sealed separate deals with Australian broadcasters SBS and Pan TVfor distribution of its Shaw Brothers library.
Avex Asia appoints Koo to head production arm
4-Oct-2006Avex Asia, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of Japan's Avex Group, has established a film production armto be headed by former Applause Pictures executive Esther Koo.
Hong Kong selects Banquet; Taiwan chooses Cha Cha
28-Sep-2006Hong Kong has selected period epic The Banquet as its entry for the best foreign-language filmcategory of next year's Academy Awards.
Fortune Star producing Dead Air with Chen
25-Sep-2006Production started today onthriller Dead Air which acclaimedfilmmaker Teddy Chen is producing for Star Group's Fortune Star Entertainment.
Asia feasts on Feng Xiaogang's Banquet
19-Sep-2006Chinese director FengXiaogang's $20m The Banquet had astrong four-day opening weekend across Asia, grossing $8.5m from five territories.
Fortune Star acquires China Star library
16-Sep-2006Regional broadcaster StarGroup's content arm, Fortune Star, has acquired 100 library titles from Hong Kong's China Star Entertainment Group, in a deal valued at $18m.
Yamada to direct World War II drama for Shochiku
13-Sep-2006Japanese major Shochiku isproducing the next film from Yoji Yamada following his acclaimedsamurai trilogy - a World War II drama with the working title Kabei, set to star veteran actressSayuri Yoshinaga.
Hong Kong set to lose only arthouse cinema
11-Sep-2006Hong Kong's only dedicated arthouse cinema, the Cine-ArtHouse, is facing closure as its owner Sil-Metropole Organisation is havingdifficulty renewing the lease.
Jia's Still Life added to Venice competition
5-Sep-2006Chinese director JiaZhangke's Still Life (Sanxia Haoren) has been added to thecompetition section of this year's Venice International Film Festival, whichwraps on Saturday.
Focus joins One Ton on Wisit's Armful
1-Sep-2006Hong Kong's Focus Films is teaming up with Singapore-based OneTon Cinema to co-produce Thai director Wisit Sasanatieng's upcoming film Armful.
Bet Collector scoops top prizes at Cinefan
24-Jul-2006The Bet Collector, directed by the Philippines' Jeffrey Jeturian, was awarded best film and bestactress for Gina Pareno's performance in the Asian Competition at Osian'sCinefan in New Delhi on Sundaynight.
Warner China Film unveils local release slate
21-Jul-2006Following its success with thedistribution of Ning Hao's black comedy CrazyStone, Warner China Film HG Corporation has announced its release slate forthe rest of the year.
India's Cinefan opens with Valley Of Flowers
16-Jul-2006The 8th Osian'sCinefan (July 14-23) held its opening gala in Delhi on Saturday night, followedby the world premiere of France and India-based director Pan Nalin's Valley Of Flowers.
Hong Kong action maestros set to draw Triangle
13-Jul-2006Three of Hong Kong's leadingaction directors - Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To - are gearing up to worktogether on an innovative action thriller with the working title Triangle.
Golden Harvest to raise $13m for mainland cinemas
Q&A with Shanghai jury president Luc Besson
26-Jun-2006In the same year that Canneshad its first Chinese jury president in Wong Kar-wai, China's leading filmfestival returned the honour by appointing a French jury president - filmmakerand EuropaCorp co-founder Luc Besson.
Hong Kong's EMP teams with Shanghai Film Studio
19-Jun-2006Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures and Shanghai Film Studiohave formed a joint venture encompassing film production and talent management.
Shanghai unveils plans for new studio facility
19-Jun-2006Shanghai Media andEntertainment Group has unveiled ambitious plans to build a studio andentertainment complex on the outskirts of the city as competition to lure overseasproductions heats up.
Shanghai film festival gets off to glittering start
18-Jun-2006Judging by the openingweekend, the Shanghai International Film Festival (June 17-25) is finallystarting to take advantage of its position as mainland China's leading film festival and industry platform.
Celestial's Shaw Bros titles set for release in Iran
9-Jun-2006Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has sealed exclusive deals withIran's Century 21 VMC, Portugal's Lusomundo and the Netherlands' Dutch Film Works, which extend the distribution ofits Shaw Brothers library to 56 countries.
Emperor crowns Chan as production chief
9-Jun-2006In a move that was widely anticipated,Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures has appointed filmindustry veteran Philip Chan as head of production.
Huayi Brothers' Matrimony wraps in Shanghai
1-Jun-2006Teng Hua-tao's The Matrimony (working title), producedby Beijing-based Huayi Brothers Film Investment, has wrapped after a two-monthshoot in Shanghai.
UIP signs with Intercontinental for Hong Kong and Macau
30-May-2006Hong Kong's Intercontinental Film Distributorshas signed an agreement with United International Pictures (UIP) for theatricaldistribution of its slate in Hong Kong and Macau. UIP previously worked with distribution and exhibition group GoldenHarvest ...
Emperor closes raft of sales on Rob-B-Hood
Fortissimo serves up Waiter to France...
25-May-2006Fortissimo Films has sold Waiter, the company's fourth venturewith Dutch director Alex van Warmerdam, to France's BAC and Israel's United King.
Magnolia strikes three-territory deal for The Host
Mandarin closes Gate on Cannes deals
Pusan's Asian Film Market lines up companies
25-May-2006The upcoming Asian FilmMarket will have a focus on Asian talent and talent agencies with companiessuch as Korea's Namoo and IHQ, Japan's Stardust and Hong Kong's Jet Tone set toattend the four-day market (October 15-18).
StudioCanal takes a seat at Feng's Banquet
Sundream sells package to Sahamongkol
25-May-2006Hong Kong producer-distributor Sundream Motion Pictures has solda package of three titles - Battle OfWits, 49 Days and Eye In The Sky - to Thailand's Sahamongkol Films.
Fortune Star sells remake rights to A Better Tomorrow
24-May-2006Korean production companyFingerprint Pictures has acquired remake rights to classic Hong Kong actiontitle A Better Tomorrow, directedby John Woo in 1986, from Hong Kong-based Fortune Star Entertainment.
Rapid Eye gets German rights to two from UTV
Stella Sze takes key role at Global Entertainment Group
PolyBona readies Sky Fighters release in China
23-May-2006China's Beijing PolyBona hasscheduled a June 23 theatrical release for Gerard Pires' Sky Fighters, one offour French titles recently acquired by the company which is stepping updistribution of foreign films.
Shane and Romano plan $120m Buddha biopic
Rapid Eye takes German rights to Yo-Yo Girl Cop
SPO strikes Japan deals for Go Master and Invisible Waves
Bangkok changes dates to pre-Berlin slot
21-May-2006The BangkokInternational Film Festival has changed its dates to Jan 26 - Feb 5 after thisyear's new post-Berlin slot proved unsuccessful.
Chinese press given warning
Fortissimo sells Solondz happy return
21-May-2006Fortissimo Filmshas boarded the as-yet-untitled new film from Todd Solondz, a companion pieceto his earlier break-through piece Happiness,and will commence pre-sales immediately in Cannes.
Gaga enters Dragon Tiger Gate
21-May-2006Hong Kong's Mandarin Films has sold Wilson Yip's Dragon Tiger Gate to Gaga Communications(Japan), Flashstar (Brazil), Indofilm (India), Italia Film (Middle East), and Cinebox (Vietnam.)
Match Factory lights up German-Asian Drummer
Match Factory, Emperor to handle The Drummer
21-May-2006Michael Weber's The MatchFactory and Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) will handleinternational distribution of Kenneth Bi's The Drummer, set to star Simon Yam and Lee Sinje.
Wu and Costo plan adoption drama Shanghai Blue
21-May-2006Chinese actress Vivian Wuand filmmaker Oscar Luis Costo are planning to shoot a drama about adoption in China, Shanghai Blue,from February 2007.
MK2 takes Lau and Mak's Confession
20-May-2006Hong Kong's Media Asia Distribution haspre-sold all French-speaking rights to Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's ConfessionOf Pain to France's MK2.Infernal Affairs star Tony Leung Chiu-wai willstar in the $8-10m project which is scheduled to start shooting in ...
Three Dots bask in Eternal Summer
20-May-2006Taiwan's Three Dots Entertainment, whichrecently launched a sales arm, has picked up international rights to LesteChen's gay youth drama Eternal Summer, starringJoseph Chang, Bryant Chang and Kate Yeung.The film, currently is shooting in Taiwan,tells ...
Brazil and Australia deals struck for 3 Needles: The Director's Cut
Fortissimo picks up global on desert pic
19-May-2006Fortissimo Films has picked up world rights toSounds Of Sand directed by award-winning Belgiandirector Marion Hansel.Set against the backdrop of the Africandesert, the film features actors from Burkino Faso, Djibouti and Belgium in thestory of a group ...
Korea's Mirovision gets Hong Sang-soo's next film
19-May-2006Korea's Mirovision has inkeda deal with local production house bom Film Productions for both domestic andinternational distribution of Hong Sang-soo's next film, Woman On The Beach, which is currently in production.
Younggu Art hires Hollywood crew to finish D-War
Dutch Filmworks strikes deal for King's Black Sheep
Klockworx snaps up Japanese rights to Ong Bak 2
18-May-2006Thailand's SahamongkolfilmInternational has sold hotly anticipated Tony Jaa vehicle Ong Bak 2 to Japan's Klockworx.
Korea's Core Studio takes on Lee Myung-se horror project
Cannes to go ahead with Summer Palace premiere
Fortissimo closes raft of sales on Frank Gehry
17-May-2006Fortissimo Films has closedseveral sales on Sydney Pollack's documentary Sketches Of Frank Gehry on the eve on Cannes.
Hong Kong's Emperor, Sundream set to steal together
17-May-2006Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has added severalnew titles to its slate in the run-up to Cannes, including action adventure Let's Steal Together, set to star pop duo Twins.
Shochiku does Kafka in animation debut
17-May-2006Japan's Shochiku is launching two animatedfilms from high-profile directors at Cannes, marking the first time it hasproducedtheatrical animations in-house.The first film, The Country Doctor,is based on Franz Kafka's short prose of the same name and ...
Weinstein Co takes US rights to Seven Swords
15-May-2006The Weinstein Company has acquiredUS theatrical and video rights to Tsui Hark's martial arts epic Seven Swords from Fortissimo Films.
SCB pacts with Kong for Golden Flower financing
12-May-2006Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) has signed an agreement with award-winning local producer Bill Kong toprovide financing for the production of Zhang Yimou's Curse Of The Golden Flower.
Fortissimo acquires Apichatpong's Syndromes
11-May-2006Fortissimo Films hasacquired worldwide rights to acclaimed Thai director ApichatpongWeerasethakul's Syndromes And A Century.
Movie Eye's Longest Night shooting in Shanghai
9-May-2006Japan's Movie Eye Entertainment has teamed up with Beijing-based MegadiaEntertainment to co-produce a $5m romantic drama with the working title The Longest Night In Shanghai.
Star backs high-def trio from Hong Kong's Yee
8-May-2006Star Chinese Movies isinvesting in three high-definition films to be executive produced byaward-winning Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Yee.
Fortissimo drawn to Sketches Of Frank Gehry
5-May-2006Fortissimo Films hasacquired worldwide rights outside the US, France, Benelux and Italy to SydneyPollack's documentary Sketches Of FrankGehry, which screens in official selection, in an out-of-competition slot, atthis year's Cannes.
China greenlights secure box office reporting system
1-May-2006Auckland-based VistaEntertainment Solutions has been granted permission to sell its cinemamanagement software independently in China and has made its first sale to Hong Kong exhibitor MCL's new cinema in Shenzhen.
Taking Father Home wins digital prize at HKIFF
18-Apr-2006Shanghai-based director Ying Liang's Taking Father Home was awarded the Golden Digital Award at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). The film tells the story of a country boy who travels to the big city in search of his father whom he believes has become a rich property developer - but soon discovers that the reality is quite different. It was also awarded the Special Jury ...
Election takes top prizes at Hong Kong Film Awards
9-Apr-2006Johnnie To's Election was awarded best film and bestdirector at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards on Saturday night (April 8).
Canada's Seville swoops on Seven Swords
28-Mar-2006Fortissimo Films has soldTsui Hark's martial arts epic SevenSwords to Canada's Seville Pictures, one of several deals that the Dutch/HK-based salesagent concluded at last week's Filmart in Hong Kong.
Filmart wraps with record attendance
23-Mar-2006The tenth edition of Filmartwrapped today with the organisers reporting record attendance and delegatesagreeing that this year was the biggest and busiest yet.
Fat Englishmen among winners at HAF
22-Mar-2006Lawrence Gray's Fat Englishmen, about a group ofbeer-swilling Brits who get cast as Sumo wrestlers in a Japanese beercommercial, was presented with the HAF Award for a Hong Kong project at the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) today.
Filmko, Fortissimo come up for Air
22-Mar-2006Fortissimo Film Sales andHong Kong production company FilmkoEntertainment have boarded Zhang Yang's Air(working title), one of 25 projects participating at this year's Hong Kong AsiaFilm Financing Forum (HAF).
Antony Szeto's Wushu gets golden touch
21-Mar-2006Golden Network has picked up international rights to Hong Kong-based director Antony Szeto's Wushu, which is currently in pre-production.
Drummer marches to a German-Asian beat
21-Mar-2006Germany's Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion has boarded Hong Kong director Kenneth Bi's upcoming drama The Drummer as co-producer alongside Hong Kong's Kenbiroli Films and Taiwan's Arc Light Films.
Filmart focuses on European and Asian co-operation
21-Mar-2006Now is a great time forEuropean and Asian producers to start talking to one other about potentialcollaborations, if only because they are at least nine months away from doingbusiness together under any one of the official co-production treatiescurrently being negotiated.
Action star Sammo Hung to direct gangster saga
20-Mar-2006Sundream MotionPictures, the film production arm of Hong Kongcable operator i-Cable, has lined up veteran actionstar Sammo Hung to direct big-budget period epic Howling Arrow.
Dot-com murder tale to be shot twice
20-Mar-2006US and Asia-based production company Bigfoot Entertainment plans to start shooting thriller Irreversi in Hong Kong next Monday. But the project has an unusual twist in that the two versions will have distinct casts and crews will be filmed simultaneously in Mandarin and English.
Sammo Hung to direct Sundream Motion Pictures latest film
20-Mar-2006Sundream MotionPictures, the film production arm of Hong Kongcable operator i-Cable, has lined up veteran actionstar Sammo Hung to direct big-budget period epic Howling Arrow.
China's Lotus remakes Japanese smash
19-Mar-2006Hong Kong and Beijing-basedproduction house Lotus Entertainment has acquired the Chinese-languageadaptation rights to 1980s Japanese blockbuster Kamata Koshin Kyoku (TheFall Guy).
Media Asia unveils brace from Infernal Affairs duo
19-Mar-2006Hong Kong's Media Asia isplanning to produce two films this year from Infernal Affairs directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak as part of anambitious slate of between eight and ten productions.
MPA to host film production workshops in Beijing
17-Mar-2006The Motion PictureAssociation (MPA) is holding a series of workshops on film production andscreenwriting in Beijing starting this weekend.
Hong Kong festival to open with Election 2 world premiere
2-Mar-2006This year's Hong KongInternational Film Festival (HKIFF) will open with two local films - the worldpremiere of Johnnie To's Election 2and Pang Ho Cheung's Isabella, whichrecently won a Silver Bear for best score at Berlin.
Celestial Pictures launches youth culture channel
Hong Kong FilMart set for 15% increase in exhibitors
21-Feb-2006The Hong Kong TradeDevelopment Council (TDC) is expecting more than 400 exhibitors from 20countries to attend this year's Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FilMart),a 15% increase on last year.
Emperor Motion Pictures closes sales on The Myth
16-Feb-2006Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has closed three major European territories on Jackie Chan actionadventure The Myth at the European FilmMarket.
Nexo eats Fortissimo's Candy
16-Feb-2006Fortissimo Films sold hot Competitiontitle Candy to Italy's Nexo just prior to its official screening in Berlin.
Gaga sells Waters to Intercontinental Group
15-Feb-2006Japan'sGaga has sold Waters, the first filmfrom its Gaga Films production banner, to Hong Kong'sIntercontinental Group.
Shochiku closes multiple deals on Fox
15-Feb-2006Continuing the Fox feverthat has swept through the EFM, Japan's Shochiku has sealed several deals on itslive-action Helen The Baby Foxincluding a sale to France's Metropolitan.
Gaga reveals ambitious domestic and international plans
13-Feb-2006Japan's new-look Gaga plans to produce up to 10Japanese films a year, in addition to international co-productions, as part ofa drive to expand its production activities.
Wong Kar-wai prepares Nights with Norah Jones
13-Feb-2006Wong Kar-wai is gearing upto work this year with multi-platinum singer Norah Jones who will make heracting debut in his first English-language film which has the working title My Blueberry Nights.
Pusan fest cements plans for AFM
12-Feb-2006The Pusan International FilmFestival (PIFF) has unveiled details of the full-scale film market it plans tolaunch this year - the Asian Film Market (AFM) - which takes place during the11th edition of the festival from Oct 15-18.
Korea's iHQ to branch into English-language filmmaking
11-Feb-2006Korea's iHQ is set to branch into English-languagefilmmaking with documentary-style comedy horror American Zombie to be directed by Korean-American filmmaker GraceLee.
Fortissimo sells Cut Sleeve Boys to here! Films
10-Feb-2006US independent here! Films hasacquired North American rights to UKcomedy Cut Sleeve Boys fromFortissimo Films.
Listener secures sales and slot in Berlin's special section
9-Feb-2006Fortissimo Films has secured a raft ofpost-Sundance sales on The NightListener, starring Robin Williams and Toni Collette, including Telepool in Germany andIcon in the UK.The ...
Media Asia Distribution pre-sells Johnnie To's Exiled
9-Feb-2006Hong Kong's Media Asia Distributionhas pre-sold Johnnie To'supcoming thriller Exiled to a raft ofterritories including Sharada for Italyand Cineart for Benelux.
Chinese masters crank up new productions
31-Jan-2006Two of mainland China's leading film-makers - Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen -are currently working on new projects that look set to raise considerableinterest in international markets.
Fearless storms across Asia over Chinese New Year
31-Jan-2006Fearless,the latest martial arts epic from uber-producer Bill Kong, had a strong openingweekend (Jan 26-29) across Asia over the Chinese New Year holiday grossing $7.5mfrom six territories.
China's Huayi Brothers brings Banquet to Berlin
26-Jan-2006Beijing-based productioncompany Huayi Brothers Film Investment will be making its debut as a seller atthe upcoming European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.
Miike's Big Bang Love joins Panorama line-up
25-Jan-2006Japan's Shochiku hasannounced that Big Bang Love, Juvenile A,the latest outing by prolific cult filmmaker Takashi Miike, has been selectedto compete in the Panorama section of the upcoming Berlin International FilmFestival.
Warner Bros goes west with Sichuan partnership
22-Jan-2006Warner Bros InternationalCinemas (WBIC) is expanding into the mid-south and southwest corners of China through a strategic partnership with Sichuan PacificCinema Circuit, one of the leading circuits under China Film Group.
Disney denies plans for Beijing theme park
17-Jan-2006Disney has denied reports inthe Hong Kong and mainland China press that it plans to build a theme park in Beijing by 2010.
Shochiku adds four dramas to busy Berlin slate
13-Jan-2006In addition to its upcomingsamurai films, Japan's Shochiku has added four new dramas to its international sales slate,which it will be launching at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Media Asia appoints Chong as CEO
Asia Focus: China and the international market
23-Dec-2005Due to its location and perhaps also timing, the recent CineAsia conference in Beijing (Dec 13-15) turned out to be an opportune platform for the US studios to air some of their long-held opinions and grievances about the China film market.
China box office, production levels up in 2005
22-Dec-2005China's box office grew by 30% to $248m (RMB2bn) in 2005, according tofigures announced on Wednesday by the Film Bureau of the State Administrationof Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
Chen's Promise has record-breaking China opening
19-Dec-2005Chen Kaige's fantasy epic The Promise (aka Master Of The Crimson Armor) scored a record-breaking opening of $9m (RMB74m) in its first four days of release in China (Dec 15-18), according to revised estimates.
Exhibitors call for clarification on Chinese cinema ownership
15-Dec-2005Exhibitors speaking at aCineAsia panel on Wednesday said they're urgently seeking clarification on China's regulations concerning foreign investment in thecinema industry.
Disney unveils first China co-production
14-Dec-2005Disneyhas unveiled its first Chinese co-production - family-themed feature The Secret Of The Magic Gourd - which iscurrently shooting in Hangzhouin southern China.
Piracy high on the agenda at Beijing CineAsia
13-Dec-2005China'srampant piracy was a recurrent theme during the first day of the CineAsia trade show and conference which is being held forthe first time in Beijing(Dec 13-15).Duringhis keynote speech at the opening night ceremony, Motion ...
CineAsia opens in Beijing with Glickman address
12-Dec-2005CineAsia gets underway forthe first time in Beijing today (Dec 13) with an opening address from MPAA CEODan Glickman and a screening of Chen Kaige's The Promise which opens across China later this week.
Hong Kong's Focus turns to Father And Son
1-Dec-2005Hong Kong's Focus Films has picked up international rights toPatrick Tam Ka-ming's Father And Son,starring Aaron Kwok (Divergence) andCharlie Young (Seven Swords), whichstarts shooting this month in Malaysia.
Kadokawa partners with Hong Kong's Intercontinental
28-Nov-2005Japan's Kadokawa Holdings has made an aggressive move into the Chinese andSouth-East Asian film markets by forming a wide-ranging partnership withIntercontinental Group in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong lines up Chinese New Year blockbusters
23-Nov-2005A live-actiontake on popular animated character McDull, martial arts legend Huo Yuanjia and a comedy about shopping are set to battle itout in Hong Kong and other Chinese-speaking territories next Chinese New Year.
Legal download sites launched in Hong Kong
23-Nov-2005Two legal movie downloadsites are being launched in Hong Kong - by government-ownedIT flagship Cyberport and private film company Mei Ah Entertainment - amidindustry discussion about their feasibility and audience demand.
Chan wins best actor at Golden Roosters
14-Nov-2005Hong Kong star Jackie Chan was awarded best actor for his rolein Benny Chan's New Police Story atthis year's edition of mainland China's Golden Rooster Awards.
Gold Circle to remake Breaking News
7-Nov-2005Gold Circle Films hasacquired remake rights to Johnnie To action movie Breaking News from Hong Kong's Media Asia.
Warner Japan buys Korean weepie My Girl And I
7-Nov-2005Warner Bros Japan hasacquired Korean romantic drama My Girl And I from start-up Korean sales company iHQ.
Core Studio unveils Yoichi Sai gangster thriller
6-Nov-2005Start-up South Koreanproduction and sales outfit Core Studio has unveiled its slate for 2006, whichincludes the first Korean production from Japanese-Korean director Yoichi Sai (Quill, Blood And Bones).
Film Messenger beams Pusan winner to Lighthouse
6-Nov-2005Singapore's LighthousePictures has acquired its first Korean film by snapping up Pusan winner TheUnforgiven from Korea's FilmMessenger.
Goldview sells Camus to North America
6-Nov-2005Japan's Gold View has soldNorth American rights to Who's Camus Anyway', directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi, to LarryMeistrich's Film Movement.
Weinstein Co snatches SPL
6-Nov-2005The Weinstein Company hasacquired rights for North America, the UK and Ireland to Hong Kong actionthriller SPL.
Cineclick, Happinet board Barmak's Opium War
4-Nov-2005Korean sales agent CineclickAsia has picked up worldwide sales rights to Opium War, the second film from Afghan director Siddiq Barmakfollowing Osama which won aGolden Globe for best foreign-language film in 2004.
Fortissimo's Sunflower blooms in Spain
Fortissimo's Sunflower blooms in Spain
Fortissimo's Sunflower set to bloom in Spain
4-Nov-2005Fortissimo Films has soldZhang Yang's San Sebastian winner Sunflower to Spain's Diorama.
Japan's Nikkatsu snaps up Welcome To Dongmakgol
4-Nov-2005Korean major Showbox hassold drama Welcome To Dongmakgolto Japan's Nikkatsu for a sum ofaround $2m.
Taiwan's CMC rolls out Silk for market debut
4-Nov-2005Taiwanese distributor CMCEntertainment Group is attending AFM for the first time as a seller followingits recent move into production with big-budget sci-fi horror Silk.
Celestial, Image pact on Shaw Brothers titles
3-Nov-2005Hong Kong's CelestialPictures has signed a long-term deal with Image Entertainment for US andCanadian video distribution of 30 titles from its Shaw Brothers library.
Chang boards Korean war epic Christmas Cargo
3-Nov-2005Terence Chang is teaming upwith Korean production company Blue Storm and sales agent Cineclick Asia toproduce $20m Korean war epic Christmas Cargo.
Cineclick generates market buzz with Korean duo
2-Nov-2005Korean sales agent CineclickAsia is introducing two new productions to international buyers at the AFM- Blue Swallow, based onthe true story of Korea's first female aviator, and Bong Joon-ho's $10m monstermovie The Host.
Fortissimo adds The Bridge to AFM slate
2-Nov-2005Fortissimo Films has pickedup worldwide rights outside North America to documentary The Bridge, which marks the directing debut of former studioproduction executive Eric Steel.
Hong Kong's Focus sells First Cuts, Love to Japan
2-Nov-2005Hong Kong star Andy Lau'sFocus Films has sold its entire FOCUS: First Cuts series of Chinese-languagefeatures to Japanese distributor and talent management company IMX.
Hong Kong court convicts BitTorrent user
Asian producers unveil historical epic Battle Of Wisdom
20-Oct-2005The four co-producers behind pan-Asian historicalepic Battle OfWisdom officially unveiled the production at a press conference in Beijingtoday.
HK government appoints film committee members
18-Oct-2005The Hong Kong government has appointed 11 members to the newly-established FilmDevelopment Committee (FDC), which was first unveiled by chief executive DonaldTsang last week.
HK government to set up film development board
14-Oct-2005Hong Kong's new chief executive Donald Tsang has outlinedplans to set up a film development board to support the territory's ailing filmindustry.
Fairy Tale, Heartbreak share top PPP award
12-Oct-2005Korean directorLee Kwang-mo's Fairy Tale Of A Picture Tree and Thai project HeartbreakPavilion shared the top prize at this year's Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) -the $20,000 Busan Award - supplied by the city of Busan.
Pusan market wraps with flurry of deals
12-Oct-2005Although sellers weren't expecting much action until the AFM, the marketat the Pusan filmfestival closed with several major sales on Wednesday (Oct 12).
Pusan unveils plans for 'biggest' Asian film market
12-Oct-2005The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF)has unveiled ambitious plans for a full-scale market which it claims will bethe biggest and most comprehensive in Asia.
Shoe Fairy flies to Japan's IMX
12-Oct-2005Hong Kong star Andy Lau's Focus Films has sold Robin Lee's TheShoe Fairy, the first film to emerge from its Focus: First Cuts series, toJapan's IMX.
Lee joins Celestial as production chief
11-Oct-2005Hong Kong's Celestial Pictures has appointed respectedproducer Philip Lee as vice president, New Film Contents, as part of its driveto become more involved in production and content acquisition.
Fortissimo adds Hart Sharp collection to library
5-Oct-2005Fortissimo Films hasexpanded its library of TV rights by acquiring the five-film catalogue of NewYork-based production company Hart Sharp Entertainment.
Hong Kong's See Corp set to produce digital slate
2-Oct-2005See Corporation, a Hong Kong-basedcontent company backed by local tycoon Lawrence Yu, plans to invest $3.8m-5.2m(HK$30-40m) in a slate of high definition (HD) films, in an attempt to boost Hong Kong's flagging production industry.
Dragon Tiger Gate starts production at Hengdian
29-Sep-2005Hong Kong director Wilson Yip Wai-shunhas started shooting $10m kung-fu action movie, Dragon Tiger Gate, at China's Hengdian World Studios with acombination of talents from China and Hong Kong.
HK bets on Love, China has Promise in Oscar race
27-Sep-2005Peter Chan's musical PerhapsLove has been selected as Hong Kong's candidate for thebest foreign-language film category at next year's Oscars, while China has submitted Chen Kaige's fantasy epic ThePromise.
Heirloom scares up strong opening weekend
19-Sep-2005Horror picture TheHeirloom has racked up the biggest opening for a local film in Taiwan this year, grossing $105,500 (NT$3.49m) over thethree-day weekend (Sept 16-18) in Taipei.
Hong Kong producers look West and East
15-Sep-2005After a strong showing atthis year's Venice and Toronto film festivals, not to mention a few big hitsover the summer, Hong Kong producers currently have several reasons to feelconfident. But the trend towards declining production numbers is unlikely to bereversed before the end of the year.
Disney eyes China as Hong Kong park opens to public
12-Sep-2005Hong Kong Disneyland opensits door to the paying public today after a weekend of celebrations attended byDisney president Robert Iger, outgoing CEO Michael Eisner, China's vice president Zeng Qinghong and a host a localcelebrities.
Rosem secures international deals for Chinese pair
9-Sep-2005Frenchproduction house Rosem Films has secured international distribution for two ofits upcoming features from Chinese auteurs Lou Ye and Wang Chao.
Chinese film companies launch anti-piracy agency
31-Aug-2005The China Film Copyright Protection Association (CFCA), anon-profit organisation formed by 62 film-related companies, was officiallylaunched in Beijing on Monday.Headedby former Shanghai Film Group president Zhu Yongde, the association aims tohelp the Chinese film industry to combat the nation's high levels of DVD, VCDand online piracy.
Chinese media giant takes stake in Oz film channel
27-Jul-2005ShanghaiOriental Pearl Group (OPG), owned by China's second largest media conglomerate,the Shanghai Media Group (SMG), is acquiring a stake in Australian TV channeloperator Pan TV, according to local press reports.
String of international projects gear up for China shoots
25-Jul-2005IfChina wasn't such a big place, the film crews would be tripping over each otherthis summer. Several international productions are gearing up to shoot in thecountry which, following a temporary Sars-induced blip, has once again become ahot production base.
Fraser in frame for Spottiswoode's Sea in China
24-Jul-2005Brendan Fraserhas been lined up to star in historical drama The Bitter Sea which Roger Spottiswoode is set todirect in China later this year.
China blocks summer release of foreign films
Chow Yun-fat hops on board Ann Hui project
19-Jul-2005Chow Yun-fat is reteamingwith Hong Kong director Ann Hui on the US$5m drama, The Aunt's PostmodernLife, produced by start-up Beijing-based production outfit Cheerland Films.
Zhang Ziyi boards Feng's $15m Banquet
18-Jul-2005Zhang Ziyi is attached to star in Feng Xiaogang's $15mperiod drama The Banquet which has been set up as a co-productionbetween Beijing-based Huayi Brothers and Hong Kong's Media Asia. Thefilm's stellar cast also includes Feng regular Ge You, hot up-and-comingactress Zhou Xun and Hong Kong star Daniel Wu. Production is scheduled to startin September or October with a crew ...
MPA strikes anti-piracy deal with Chinese government
Lau takes lead in Lee's Three Kingdoms
7-Jul-2005Hong Kong star Andy Lau has signed on to play the lead in$10-15m period drama, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon(working title), to be directed by Black Mask director Daniel Lee.
Broadcasters boost backing for Hong Kong film
5-Jul-2005There was acollective sigh of relief in the Hong Kong film industry last week as the firstlocal release of the summer - Media Asia's drift racing drama Initial D -burnt rubber in five Asian territories, including an impressive haul of US$2.6min its first week in Hong Kong.
Initial D burns box-office records across Asia
27-Jun-2005Media Asia's Initial D zoomed to the top ofthe box office chart in five Asian territories on its opening weekend (June23-26).The $12m car racing drama has also smashed records inall five territories. It scored the biggest opening of all films so far thisyear in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia and the biggest opening of all Chinesefilms ...
Village Album picks up top prize at Shanghai fest
20-Jun-2005The Village Album, from Japanese director Mitsuhiro Mihara, picked upbest film and best actor in the main competition of the Shanghai InternationalFilm Festival (SIFF) on Sunday night.
Chinese film-makers eye global distribution at Shanghai
16-Jun-2005'Be realistic about your film'sinternational potential' and 'don't ignore your home market' were the twostrongest messages delivered at a seminar on the global distribution of Chinesefilms at the Shanghai International Film Festival this week.
Huayi Brothers unveils $15m Feng project The Banquet
16-Jun-2005Beijing-based production anddistribution outfit Huayi Brothers Film Investment has announced the nextproject from hot Chinese director Feng Xiaogang - a US$15m period film with theworking title The Banquet.
Chinese director Ning comes into Lau's Focus
8-Jun-2005China's Ning Hao has been selected as the sixth director toparticipate in the regional film project, Focus: First Cuts, which was launchedin March by Hong Kong star Andy Lau's Focus Films and Star Chinese Movies. Focusalso announced that it will co-produce Ning's as-yet-untitled film withBeijing-based Concord Creation International. The film, which is set to startshooting in ...
Fortissimo signs up Wong library
24-May-2005Fortissimo Films has signed a deal with Cannesjury president Wong Kar-wai's Jet Tone Films to handle the increasing list oftitles in the director's library, including films not previously represented byFortissimo.The deal is an expansion of the long-standingrelationship ...
Fortissimo scores flurry of Snow Cake deals
20-May-2005Fortissimo Filmshad a busy Cannes closing deals with several distributors the company hasn'tworked with before including Svensk which took Scandinavian rights to MarcEvans' Snow Cake.
Chan film to focus on landmines in Cambodia
19-May-2005Jackie Chan plans to head toCambodia next year to direct and star in a film that will draw attention to theproblem of landmines in the former war-torn country.
Beta Cinema goes into battle with Genghis Khan
18-May-2005Germany's Beta Ci