Chinese Filmmakers Face Bureaucratic and Cultural Hurdles in Co-Productions, Panel Says
8 reported
Chinese filmmakers face bureaucratic hurdles and differing audience expectations in international co-productions, according to panelists at a “Belt and Road” discussion at the Shanghai International Film Festival’s SIFForum industry sessions. Yan Peng, deputy general manager of state-owned Huaxia Film Distribution, cited major regulatory and copyright issues affecting Chinese producers seeking co-productions abroad. Xie Meng, founder of arthouse distributor Rediance, noted that audience preferences are shifting from global to local stories. Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, said distribution remains a weak point in the Arab region and that platforms like Netflix offer easier content investment and returns. The panel highlighted that traditional distribution methods are becoming less effective as audience demand for diverse films grows.
What’s reported
Yan Peng stated that differences exist across regions regarding co-production approval qualifications, actor ratios, investment proportions, and film censorship content.
Yan Peng noted that copyright and derivative IP rights often have inconsistencies, and that distribution cycles and currency settlements differ across theatrical, streaming, and TV ends.
Yan Peng said differences in audience preferences, working customs, and societal taboos lead to extended production cycles and fragmented release strategies.
Xie Meng stated that Chinese audiences are less interested in foreign large-production blockbusters and are focusing more on stories closer to people, whether domestic or foreign.
Xie Meng said how producers reach audiences is getting more fragmented, threatening to make traditional distribution obsolete.
Yan Peng said the past method of indiscriminate, simplified distribution is seeing its role weaken.
Mohannad Al-Bakri said distribution is not a strong suit in the Arab region and that the Chinese distribution model is one they are trying to learn from.
Al-Bakri said platforms like Netflix cover all parts of the world and that content investment through such channels seems easier and can obtain better returns.
Key figures
Yan Peng, deputy general manager of Huaxia Film Distribution
Xie Meng, founder of Rediance
Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan
Sources: Variety
