4th MPA-China Film Screenings Underscores Expansive Partnership Between U.S. & Chinese Motion Picture Industries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2014
4th MPA-CHINA FILM SCREENINGS UNDERSCORES EXPANSIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN U.S. & CHINESE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRIES
Weeklong schedule kicks off with major opening night gala and screening at Paramount Studios
LOS ANGELES, CA— On November 3, 2014, MPAA Chairman and CEO, Senator Chris Dodd, and Paramount Pictures COO, Frederick Huntsberry, co-hosted a gala reception and screening of “Outcast” at Paramount Studios, opening the 4th China International Co-production screenings. The week-long series of film screenings and events in Los Angeles, jointly organized by the MPA and the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), aims to highlight co-productions between China, U.S. and other international co-production partners.
China currently stands as one of the largest markets globally for American films, and has continued to grow dramatically over the last decade. In the last five years, it grew nearly 300%, peaking at a total of $3.6 billion in 2013. In the first nine months of 2014 it rose 32%, reaching $3.55 billion, already nearing last year’s total. It is predicted that, by year end, China’s total box office will likely reach another landmark at $5 billion. Exhibitors have been building new state-of-the-art cinemas at such a rate that by the end of 2013, China had over 18,100 screens in operation. In 2014, new cinema screens are being built at a rate of 13 per day and will top 23,000 by year end.
“This event provides an exceptional forum for members of our industry to continue our cultural and creative exchange and foster collaboration with the esteemed Chinese film industry,” said Frederick Huntsberry, Chief Operating Officer of Paramount Pictures. “We are honored to be hosting some of China’s most esteemed and acclaimed filmmakers and are tremendously excited about the future as we continue our successful Chinese collaborations.”
“These important relationships and cultural exchanges enhance the stories that U.S. and Chinese filmmakers deliver to audiences around the world,” said Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, “Sino-foreign and other international co-productions provide an opportunity for creators to view their craft through scopes that they might not otherwise consider, boosting creativity, technological advancements and the viewer experience. I hope that we can continue to build on this cooperative environment that sustains long-term growth for the film and television industry around the globe.”
La Peikang, Chairman of China Film Co., Ltd., and head of the Chinese film delegation, said, “The events in Los Angeles will provide a perfect platform for audiences to see the latest Sino-foreign co-productions and exchange ideas on possible new partnerships and feature film projects.
These screenings have become a highlight on the film event calendar and I look forward to see continued growth between our two film industries.”
The screenings and events run through November 3 to 7. Other events include:
- On November 4, the MPA, SAPPRFT and the 10th Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) are holding a screening of “Beijing Love Story” followed by a Q&A with director Chen Sicheng and Variety’s Patrick Frater at Laemmle Playhouse 7
- On November 5, the MPA, SAPPRFT, and AMC are hosting a special community screening of “American Dreams in China” at AMC Monterey Park
- On November 6, the MPA, SAPPRFT and IMAX are hosting a reception event and screening of “The Grandmaster” at IMAX Headquarters in Santa Monica
- On November 7 at AMC Century City, the MPA, SAPPRFT, and THX are hosting a closing night gala reception and screening of Chinese-French co-production “The Nightingale” with director Philippe Muyl. The MPA and Paramount Pictures are also holding a special screening of “Interstellar”
The events are also produced with the support of AMC cinemas, China Film Co-Production Corporation, China Film Co., Ltd., China Lion Film Distribution, Chinese American Film Festival, IMAX, iQiyi, MTime, Paramount, THX and Variety.
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.
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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