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Fast and furious film market. |
Canada is keen to take part in the action in China's vibrant film market. Telefilm Canada, the national film and television promotion agency, and Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) in the province of British Columbia, are looking to work with China Film Group, the country's biggest movie company, on projects over the next three years.
Canada is looking to China and Asia generally for finance and co-production opportunities, while Chinese movie makers see Canada as a reservoir for industry expertise, according to developers of a new project.
Jane Milner, Director of WFFS's China Canada Gateway for Film project expects the Mainland market to open further, which is why Canada aims to have China movie enterprises working closely with the project's principals.
Chinese producers could get more access to Canada's screenwriting, special effects, post-production and exposure to varying styles of film making.
A China Canada Script Competition is due to be set up and a call for submissions is expected by mid-year.
China Film Group is expected to send three production companies to Whistler Film Festival to hear pitches from around 12 Canadian screenwriting and production teams.
The ultimate goal is to produce films suitable for both Canadian and Chinese markets and geared towards international success.
Telefilm recently announced a new Success Index focused on a film's score based on sales figures, awards and film-festival appearances, as well as on how much of a film's funding is from private sources.
It's hoped the success of Canadian films will account for more international and multinational aspects related to the Index.
China's film business is booming. Box office revenues increased nearly 65% last year to US$1.5 billion.
Theatre production is increasing, and there are predictions that China's box office will surpass that of the US in the next decade.
Big Hollywood players such as Legendary Pictures, Relativity Media and DreamWorks are already reportedly establishing partnerships in China.
"China will become the largest single source of financing for independent films in the world in between five and 10 years," predicts Harry Sutherland, Co-founder of Ilustrato Pictures in Vancouver, with visitors expected to grow at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART).
from Adrian Cheng, Toronto Office
(Image courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ktsimage)
