China Poised to Start Importing More Indie Films in 2016, Build 50 New Dedicated Screens

There is an emerging niche market for mid-budget film titles, which could be huge for independent film producers looking to cash in on the success of China’s current status as the second largest film market in the world (soon to be first), according to The Hollywood Reporter

It was only a matter of time for local tastes to evolve from big-budget features to the more refined output of auteurs like Jia Zhangke and Diao Yinan. Both have seen success internationally and are slowly receiving more recognition at home with their unique forms of storytelling showcased in movies like Mountains May Depart and Black Coal, Thin Ice

While an infrastructure for indie films has yet to be instituted, currently there is only one theater, the Broadway Cinematheque MOMA, that specializes in such titles. Sources in the SAPPRFT told The Hollywood Reporter that there are plans to build an indie theater network in China’s first-tier cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. This will add about 50 extra screens in China by the second half of 2016 to be used for the screening of independent movies. 

It was also reported to expect changes to imported film quotas in 2017. Currently, 34 foreign films are allowed release in China every year. This number is predicted to relax a little so as to make more room for more art-house films just so long as long as they pass China's stringent censorship requirements. We are interested to see how this all pans out, as even a small change to the current system here in China could have a dramatic impact on the world's independent film market.

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Email: danielkippwhittaker@thebeijinger.com

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