In the early years of the 21st century, bankers to the film industry set their eyes on East Asia and headed for Hong Kong and Beijing. They could see that mainland China’s decision to open the film business to the private sector had the potential to be a game-changer. Multiplexes were being built, box office was growing and trans-Pacific co-productions were starting.
But the revolution failed to happen, Asian film financing refused to become Westernized and debt financing of filmmaking remains a minority activity in the region.
Film production in East Asia continues to be built on a foundation of corporate balance sheets (or self-finance) with a generous sprinkling of private equity. Large, structured funds remain rare outside South Korea and the region does not have the same subsidy culture as Europe.
Location incentives have grabbed headlines in an array of countries over the past decade, but governments have not always followed through.
But the revolution failed to happen, Asian film financing refused to become Westernized and debt financing of filmmaking remains a minority activity in the region.
Film production in East Asia continues to be built on a foundation of corporate balance sheets (or self-finance) with a generous sprinkling of private equity. Large, structured funds remain rare outside South Korea and the region does not have the same subsidy culture as Europe.
Location incentives have grabbed headlines in an array of countries over the past decade, but governments have not always followed through.
- 5/10/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Greater professionalism within the Chinese film industry could lead to higher standards and greater overseas success. That was the unsurprising conclusion of the “Global Film Industry Value Chain Forum” held in Shanghai on Saturday on the eve of the city’s showcase annual film festival.
Speakers from China, the U.S., and Europe identified a need for improvement in screenwriting, production skills, and understanding of international markets as factors that could help Chinese movies to make a global breakthrough.
Ever the optimist, industry financier Bennett Pozil of EastWest Bank predicted: “In the next 12-18 months there will be a Chinese movie that has global pull. Chinese films are going to find their voice internationally,” though his reasoning was external to China and predicated on the growing importance of streaming and the consolidation of Hollywood studios.
“Disruption in the U.S. is good for Chinese films. P&a (print and advertising...
Speakers from China, the U.S., and Europe identified a need for improvement in screenwriting, production skills, and understanding of international markets as factors that could help Chinese movies to make a global breakthrough.
Ever the optimist, industry financier Bennett Pozil of EastWest Bank predicted: “In the next 12-18 months there will be a Chinese movie that has global pull. Chinese films are going to find their voice internationally,” though his reasoning was external to China and predicated on the growing importance of streaming and the consolidation of Hollywood studios.
“Disruption in the U.S. is good for Chinese films. P&a (print and advertising...
- 6/15/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
After multiple waves of tariffs, some now in effect and more being readied, a second front threatens to open up in the ongoing trade dispute between China and the U.S. — one that can only be bad for Hollywood.
Economists are openly talking about a currency war between the world’s two largest economies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has warned that Washington is considering a formal review of whether China is manipulating its currency, the renminbi, which has slumped by 8% in the two months it has taken for the tariffs to go from talk to reality. In May, it took 6.33 yuan to buy a U.S. dollar. On Aug. 6, despite modest stabilization measures announced Aug. 3, the Chinese currency slipped to 6.84 yuan to $1.
A weaker currency allows Beijing to mitigate the effect of President Trump’s tariffs by making imported Chinese goods cheaper in the U.S. while making...
Economists are openly talking about a currency war between the world’s two largest economies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has warned that Washington is considering a formal review of whether China is manipulating its currency, the renminbi, which has slumped by 8% in the two months it has taken for the tariffs to go from talk to reality. In May, it took 6.33 yuan to buy a U.S. dollar. On Aug. 6, despite modest stabilization measures announced Aug. 3, the Chinese currency slipped to 6.84 yuan to $1.
A weaker currency allows Beijing to mitigate the effect of President Trump’s tariffs by making imported Chinese goods cheaper in the U.S. while making...
- 8/8/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Leading global producer of entertainment finance conferences Winston Baker eagerly anticipates their 3rd Annual Film Finance Forum China, to be hosted at the Shanghai Exhibition Center and the Crowne Plaza in Shanghai, China during the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 16, 2015.
The latest event in Winston Baker’s highly successful international Film Finance Forum® series will feature a speaking faculty of seasoned leaders from American, Chinese and international entertainment industries who will discuss China’s growing film market. These top executives will address the expanding presence of China’s online giants in the business and the future of the country’s local film production, and consider the implications of the growing alliance between Hollywood and China through a case study of the recent deal between Hunan TV and Lionsgate. The conference’s program is designed to educate and connect high-level financiers, filmmakers, and other leaders in the entertainment business.
The forum will feature A Keynote Conversation with IMAX, delivered by industry juggernaut Rich Gelfond, the Chief Executive Officer of IMAX. Under Gelfond’s leadership, IMAX recently announced its plans for a Hong Kong Ipo for its booming business in China, news that sent the company’s stock soaring to all-time highs. Winston Baker’s special session is an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into Gelfond’s experience, savvy, and global success.
The conference’s speaking faculty includes other industry power players from top entertainment and finance companies, and professionals who have contributed to such notable and award-winning films as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "The Sea of Trees," "Paranormal Activity," "Godzilla," "Soul Surfer," "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," "The Golden Era," "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven 3D," and more. These experienced and innovative executives include:
· Lindsay Conner, Partner, Co-Chair, Entertainment & Media, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Llp
· Zhao Fang, General Manager, Wanda Media
· William Feng, Chief Representative, China Office, Motion Picture Association
· Stuart Ford, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Im Global
· Patrick Frater, Asia Bureau Chief, Variety
· Ricardo Galindez, Co-Founder, Island Film Group
· Dave Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Film Commission
· Jason Goldberg, Partner, Covington & Burling Llp
· Tom McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Stx Entertainment
· Schuyler Moore, Partner, Entertainment Department, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Llp
· Bennett Pozil, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Banking, East West Bank
· Franck Priot, Chief Operating Officer, Film France
. Eric Rong, President, Tik Films
· Qiu Jie, Chief Executive Officer, Lemous Pictures International
· Stephen Scharf, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers Llp
· Wang Juan, Editor-in-Chief, Tencent Video
· Li Yansong, President, iQiYi Motion Pictures
The Shanghai International Film Festival has become one the most influential film events in the Asian-Pacific area, drawing celebrities, renowned filmmakers, and executives from around the world. Winston Baker’s 3rd Annual Film Finance Forum China offers participants a unique way to forge connections with active industry deal-makers and learn from their experiences.
Sponsors and partners of Winston Baker’s forum include Im Global; O’Melveny & Myers Llp; Motion Picture Association; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Llp; East West Bank; Covington & Burling Llp; Island Film Group; Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Llp; Digital Film Cloud Network; Vine Alternative Investment; The Chinese Film Market and Variety.
The latest event in Winston Baker’s highly successful international Film Finance Forum® series will feature a speaking faculty of seasoned leaders from American, Chinese and international entertainment industries who will discuss China’s growing film market. These top executives will address the expanding presence of China’s online giants in the business and the future of the country’s local film production, and consider the implications of the growing alliance between Hollywood and China through a case study of the recent deal between Hunan TV and Lionsgate. The conference’s program is designed to educate and connect high-level financiers, filmmakers, and other leaders in the entertainment business.
The forum will feature A Keynote Conversation with IMAX, delivered by industry juggernaut Rich Gelfond, the Chief Executive Officer of IMAX. Under Gelfond’s leadership, IMAX recently announced its plans for a Hong Kong Ipo for its booming business in China, news that sent the company’s stock soaring to all-time highs. Winston Baker’s special session is an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into Gelfond’s experience, savvy, and global success.
The conference’s speaking faculty includes other industry power players from top entertainment and finance companies, and professionals who have contributed to such notable and award-winning films as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "The Sea of Trees," "Paranormal Activity," "Godzilla," "Soul Surfer," "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," "The Golden Era," "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven 3D," and more. These experienced and innovative executives include:
· Lindsay Conner, Partner, Co-Chair, Entertainment & Media, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Llp
· Zhao Fang, General Manager, Wanda Media
· William Feng, Chief Representative, China Office, Motion Picture Association
· Stuart Ford, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Im Global
· Patrick Frater, Asia Bureau Chief, Variety
· Ricardo Galindez, Co-Founder, Island Film Group
· Dave Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Film Commission
· Jason Goldberg, Partner, Covington & Burling Llp
· Tom McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Stx Entertainment
· Schuyler Moore, Partner, Entertainment Department, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Llp
· Bennett Pozil, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Banking, East West Bank
· Franck Priot, Chief Operating Officer, Film France
. Eric Rong, President, Tik Films
· Qiu Jie, Chief Executive Officer, Lemous Pictures International
· Stephen Scharf, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers Llp
· Wang Juan, Editor-in-Chief, Tencent Video
· Li Yansong, President, iQiYi Motion Pictures
The Shanghai International Film Festival has become one the most influential film events in the Asian-Pacific area, drawing celebrities, renowned filmmakers, and executives from around the world. Winston Baker’s 3rd Annual Film Finance Forum China offers participants a unique way to forge connections with active industry deal-makers and learn from their experiences.
Sponsors and partners of Winston Baker’s forum include Im Global; O’Melveny & Myers Llp; Motion Picture Association; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Llp; East West Bank; Covington & Burling Llp; Island Film Group; Stroock & Stroock & Lavan Llp; Digital Film Cloud Network; Vine Alternative Investment; The Chinese Film Market and Variety.
- 6/3/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Xin Cheng Jiang’s sci-fi love story wins at Beijing Film Market.
Sci-fi love story The Gate, a film about a tour guide who finds himself in a virtual gaming world, has won the Mpa Grand Prize in Beijing. The film’s writer/director, Xin Cheng Jiang, is known as an influential commercial TV director.
The award was presented at the Motion Picture Association (Mpa) - Beijing Film Market (Bfm) Film Workshop, held during the Beijing International Film Festival (Biff).
The prize includes sending Xin Cheng Jiang on “a week long film immersion course in Los Angeles”.
Mike Ellis, president and MD for the Mpa Asia Pacific, also awarded a President’s Special Recognition Prize to director Yang Jin for the project Instant Love - a comedic love story set in Tokyo about a Chinese man who will do anything to win the heart of a Japanese girl.
The prize will see Yang Jin attend the Asia...
Sci-fi love story The Gate, a film about a tour guide who finds himself in a virtual gaming world, has won the Mpa Grand Prize in Beijing. The film’s writer/director, Xin Cheng Jiang, is known as an influential commercial TV director.
The award was presented at the Motion Picture Association (Mpa) - Beijing Film Market (Bfm) Film Workshop, held during the Beijing International Film Festival (Biff).
The prize includes sending Xin Cheng Jiang on “a week long film immersion course in Los Angeles”.
Mike Ellis, president and MD for the Mpa Asia Pacific, also awarded a President’s Special Recognition Prize to director Yang Jin for the project Instant Love - a comedic love story set in Tokyo about a Chinese man who will do anything to win the heart of a Japanese girl.
The prize will see Yang Jin attend the Asia...
- 4/22/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
David Bloom is a Deadline contributor. A Chinese charm offensive led by Beijing bureaucrats rolled into the heart of Hollywood this weekend, with prize money and production support for screenwriters, proffers of future TV and movie project backing and a film “panorama” a couple of weeks hence. The weekend’s key event was a Saturday night panel at the Beverly Hills Hilton, that slightly faded bastion of Hollywood glitz that is home to the Golden Globes and much else, and hosted by Beijing’s Municipal Office of Cultural Assets and Harvardwood, Harvard University’s alumni group focused on the entertainment industry. Panelists included former Motion Picture Academy President Sid Ganis (he’s now honorary chairman of a Chinese production company), East West Bank exec Bennett Pozil (the bank has financed Chinese co-productions such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero for more than a decade), Tony-winning theatrical producer Darren Bagert...
- 10/20/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
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