MPA to Host Third Chinese Co-Production Screenings in Los Angeles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2013
MPA to Host Third Chinese Co-Production Screenings in Los Angeles
Series of Events Continues to Build Bridges Between Chinese and American Film Industries
LOS ANGELES – This week, The Motion Picture Association (MPA) will host filmmakers and representatives from the American and Chinese film industries in Los Angeles for the third China International Co-Production Film Screenings.
Created in 2009 in partnership with China’s State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & Television (SAPPRFT), this week long event is intended to foster a greater exchange of ideas and demonstrate the growing bond between the film industries of both nations. Chinese and American content companies work together to produce films, build cinemas, and create innovative new technologies to excite audiences across the globe.
The third China International Co-Production Film Screenings in Los Angeles is supported by partnerships with Universal Studios, AMC, the Asia Society, China Film Group Corporation, China Film Co-production Corporation, China Lion, CJ Entertainment, IMAX, MTime, Variety and Wanda.
This year’s program will kick off with a gala event Tuesday at the Universal Studios lot featuring a special screening of Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi. MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd will welcome special guests Jiao Hongfen, Vice Chairman of the China Film Group of the SAPPRFT; Lemore Syvan, Producer of Man of Tai Chi; and the film’s lead actor Tiger Chen at the event.
“China’s film industry is growing at an incredible pace; having become the world’s second largest box office market in 2012, and increasing its box office even further in the first 9 months of 2013 by 34.9% (USD$2.9 billion). Chinese Co-productions with the U.S. are an important element to that success, and represent a tremendous opportunity for our two countries to learn and benefit from each other. We are excited to celebrate these wonderful films and to continue to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Chinese film industries,” said Senator Dodd.
Following the screening of Man of Tai Chi, the events continue with the North American premiere of Finding Mr. Right, the hugely successful U.S. – China co-production film from talented writer/director Xue Xiaolu; a reception in partnership with AMC, IMAX and Wanda Group and a special screening in IMAX of the Chinese blockbuster Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon; and wrap on Friday with a Closing Night Gala event with CJ Entertainment and special screening of the love-story A Wedding Invitation. A full schedule of the week’s screenings can be found here.
China currently stands as one of the largest markets globally for American films, and has continued to grow dramatically over the last decade. Between 2003 and 2012, the Chinese box office grew from USD $120 million to USD $2.7 billion. Chinese audiences are flocking to theaters to watch the latest in Chinese films, Hollywood fare and international titles at a staggering rate. Last year, an average of 10 new cinema screens was added per day, and in the first half of 2013, that number grew to more than 12 screens per day. As of June this year, the total number of screens in China stood at more than 15,380 and is expected to more than double by 2015.
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About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
For more information, contact:
MPAA Washington, DC
Anna Soellner
(202) 293-1966
Anna_Soellner@motionpictures.org
MPA Asia-Pacific
Stephen Jenner
+65 6253 1033
Stephen_Jenner@motionpictures.org