23/04/2014 - Eligible co-productions will be able to skirt China’s quota release system

The UK and China have signed a film co-production treaty. Co-productions will have access to the UK’s film tax reliefs and the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Fund. Further, eligible films made under the terms of the treaty will be able to skirt China’s release quotas that allow only 34 non-Chinese films to release in the territory annually, and release like a domestic film, opening up the nearly $3 billion box office. The UK has also signed separate agreements with China exploring collaborations in television.

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UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said, “The treaty will strengthen ties between our countries’ film industries, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and ideas as well as driving economic growth through film production.  It will also enhance our respective cultural understanding and awareness through the making of films that reflect, enhance and convey the diversity of culture and heritage in both countries.”

BFI CEO Amanda Nevill said, “The co-production treaty with China, which has the largest growing film industry in the world, is hugely significant for UK film as it will open the door for our filmmakers to collaborate and contribute to each other’s success. An appreciation of each other’s filmmaking culture is the foundation for commercial success and it is fantastic that through the treaty and the landmark events that we have set up here in China and which will continue in the UK throughout 2014, that we are starting to build an even closer collaborative relationship between our two industries to enable them to flourish.”