Industry Report: Focus: Asia & Oceania
25/06/2012 - Articles, interviews, news, analysis focusing on the audiovisual sector in Asia and Oceania.
China: High cost of admissions
Explosive growth in screen numbers is driving up box-office revenues in China, but such rapid expansion could present risks for some exhibitors.
China: Enlight Pictures
Low-budget comedy Lost In Thailand has become the biggest local film ever in China and the producers, Enlight Pictures, are taking the lessons of its success to heart. Liz Shackleton reports.
Tudou founder plans animation studio in China
Gary Wang is now gearing for a return with a bang – by unveiling a Beijing-based animated-film studio producing movies for domestic consumption
The Sapphires marks a great year for Indigenous screen stories
The Sapphires was the top grossing Australian feature film at the local box office in 2012, taking $14.5 million. This significant milestone marks another great year for Indigenous screen stories and the film’s director Wayne Blair in particular.
A drama that could have an unhappy ending
With the rise of the middle class in China, the country's box-office revenue has skyrocketed in recent years, and foreign companies are stepping up the production of works made jointly with Chinese filmmakers.
Two top China film firms initiate process to list in Shanghai
Two of China's most influential state-owned film companies, China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, have submitted their applications to list on the Shanghai stock exchange, the country's securities regulator said.
Hollywood movies control Chinese box office, with six in Top Ten
Although only 63 international films were launched in China during 2011 – by two companies – they accounted for 46% of the total box office
Film fraternity pledges fight against piracy
While the Bengali film industry is going through resurgence, there are various issues plaguing it. Not only are Bengali films and songs being pirated, movie theatres across the state are also closing down at an alarming rate. The Indian Chamber of Commerce organized a panel discussion at a city hotel on Saturday to get different viewpoints and find a solution to these problems.
Wanda becomes world number one in cinemas
The chinese group has bought the US specialist in cinemas AMC
Indian film trade to benefit from partnering Hollywood: E&Y
India’s film industry will benefit from an increased collaboration with Hollywood in the areas of film entertainment, education, VFX and tourism, according to Ernst & Young in a report issued for an initiative launched by the LA Film Council.
Middle East turns to local TV: Arab Media Outlook
Media consumption in the Middle East is in transition, with far more people watching broadcast or online news and political talk shows as a result of recent regional events, according to the Arab Media Outlook Report (2011-2015).
Taiwanese cinema keeps growing up
With a promising year in 2011 the taiwanese film industry will continue to increase its growth with the support of the State. The Prime Minister Sean Chen [陳冲] assured it yesterday during the minister's council.
China becomes world's second biggest film market
China overtakes Japan thanks to the increase of its national film industry
China plans to reduce ticket price
China plans to adopt measures to make films more accessible by setting a ceiling on ticket price and by increasing the number of half price projections.
With China Film Deals, Relativity Seeks To Explore "Global Stories"
For an industry consumed by audience size, 1.3 billion is an irresistible number. It's no surprise then that Hollywood is drawn by the prospect of breaking into the Chinese market.
The Business of Bollywood
When director Mukul Anand's multi-starrer Agneepath released in 1990, it was rejected by the masses. Agneepath failed to rake in the moolah and producer Yash Johar had a commercial flop on his hands. That was two decades ago. Since then, much has changed in Bollywood.
Murdoch: Chinese film market growth 'extraordinary'
Speaking at a film forum on Sunday during this week's Shanghai International Film Festival, media mogul Rupert Murdoch expressed amazement at rapid growth of the Chinese film market but warned that China has to protect its intellectual property rights if it wants to continue growing.
Thailand's film resurgence
Thailand's capable crews, post-production facilities and eye-popping locations have made it a venue of choice over the years for filmmakers as diverse as Oliver Stone, Werner Herzog and, most recently, Todd Phillips.
Doha Film Institute announces new movie funding
Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced at Cannes that 25 new grants for projects as part of its aim to give financial support to Arab movie makers. As film production costs rise across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) amid changing political societies, DFI called for more collaborative financial support from the Arab world to support storytellers from the region.
Screen Australia welcomes funding increase and Producer Offset reform
Screen Australia has welcomed a $13 million direct budget injection package over four years and a comprehensive suite of Producer Offset reforms announced in last night's budget.
How Japan’s Tragedies Are Affecting Its Film Industry
In a country that has just faced a series of debilitating earthquakes, a massive tsunami and damaged nuclear reactors reaching Chernobyl levels, movies have been the last thing on most people's minds. But then, two weeks after the earth first shook, Yuko Shiomaki went to see “The King’s Speech” in Tokyo and discovered he was not alone.
The Documentary Report 09/10
The Documentary Report gives a comprehensive view of documentary production activity in Australia. Data is presented for the past three years, 2007/08 to 2009/10.
The Drama Report 09/10
Screen Australia released its annual Drama Report on 10 November revealing that total expenditure in Australia by feature films and television drama productions in 2009/10 was $731 million, up 2 per cent since 2008/09.
Funding Australian content on 'small screens': A draft blueprint
A proposed new blueprint for Screen Australia’s television funding was released on 19 November 2010 by Chief Executive during her address at the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) conference in Sydney.
Arab filmmakers resort to product placement to fund movies
Arab filmmakers are being forced to fund their films through paid-for product plugs rather than independent capital, blurring the lines between content and advertising
Major development of Chinese film industry infrastructure
China is on course to build a record number of cinemas this year in a burst of movie infrastructure development that is partly aimed at rivalling the 'soft power' of Hollywood
Renewed optimism for the Russian film industry
The fast-growing Russian film industry looked like it had hit a bump in first half 2009, as the financial crisis bit and piracy undermined key growth areas. But full-year figures for 2009 and data for first half 2010 show the industry getting back on track
Tax breaks to stimulate film in Thailand
The Thai cabinet approved tax incentives to stimulate film shooting in Thailand, with a goal to support the local movie production industry
Korean film industry cites need for Hollywood money
According to the participants of the "Korean Films Going Global", Korean film industry needs to produce more "global films" and link up with Hollywood studios if it want to prevent its continuing decline
New Zealand and China sign film co-production agreement
The film industry is one area where the governments of both New Zealand and China see opportunities to develop partnerships.
Super fund to support Australian film and television industry
Industry super fund Media Super will provide a $20 million revolving credit loan facility to cash-flow the contentious producer offset.
Screen Australia's submmission to the 2010's review
Screen Australia released its submission to the 2010 Review of the Australian Independent Screen Production Sector at a seminar in Sydney. The seminar was followed by drinks with the Screen Australia Board.
Thailand takes advantage of Asian animation boom
Facing a strong worldwide demande, the entire Asian animation sector is expected to grow strong very fast, espacially in Thailand.
Financiers welcome Australian funding boost
The future is all about international partnerships. From a financing perspective, the funding increase will go some way to making Australia more attractive as a co-production partner.
Location, location is Abu Dhabi's new mantra
That there's more to Abu Dhabi than sand is obvious to anyone living in the UAE, but the emirate's strong diversity is a key selling point in its campaign to pitch itself as a location for Hollywood films.
Industry forum video now online
The review will consider the extent to which Government support measures, such as the Australian Screen Production Incentive and direct funding, are assisting the sector to achieve screen cultural objectives.
Russian government approves state fund for film
New scheme of state funding for the film industry in 2010 approved by the Russian government.
Animated film industry gets boost in India
Mumbai, and India in general, are more and more becoming the outsourcing heaven for major Hollywood productions. In the past years, several movies have already been digitally post-produced in India. But now, the country´s animated industry is flourishing even more.
Australian film industry told to act like a business
Interview with the president of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) regarding the Australian film industry and production.
U.S. production shuts out Australia
According to the annual Screen Australia Drama Production Survey foreign production in Australia has down-rocketed from A$251 million to only A$20 million in 2008/09, all of which have been spent by Indian productions.
