Future plans for 10 online movies were officially announced and film posters were released for an unprecedented film program in Beijing on Friday.
As the first important program of Ivy Film Lab, a sub-brand of Tencent Pictures, Biyi （Flying Wings）New Film Program will offer long-term aid to young filmmakers and support films and television projects with the spirit of exploration.
During the press conference held in Beijing on Friday, ten online movies were announced and official posters were released. All these online movies are based on popular IP from Tencent Comics, including "Twin Detectives," "The Innocent City," "Soul Hunter," "The Maid Killer," "Not Married," "Horror of Flowers," "Lost In Apocalypse," "Soul Contract," "Private Hero" and "The Mystical Treasure."
These films have a full coverage of genres loved by young audience including mystery, thriller, action, fantasy, romance and comedy. Some of the films had already began shooting and expected a release date in the second half of the year.
More attracting than these ten comic book movies are seven partners gathered for Biyi New Film Program. Tencent Pictures will release a series of film projects with the cooperation of iQiYi, Fox International Productions, Xin Pian Chang, Sina Entertainment, Bravo Pictures and Goodfellas Pictures.
Biyi New Film Program will foster and support young directors and creation teams on film adaptations and pan-entertainment explorations. With the involvement of Fox International Productions, one of the Big Six major Hollywood studios, Biyi New Film Program will have a broaden and global vision which is hardly seen in China's online movie market.
Tomas Jegeus, President of Fox International Productions (FIP), sent his best regards via a VCR video, encouraging Chinese young directors to devote to creating high-quality film works with personal style. Sirena Liu, Managing Director of 20th Century Fox, China and Huo Xiao Ting, Director of FIP, China attended the press conference, as witness to this important moment of young talents fostering and this innovative collaboration.
Fox International Productions, a division of 20th Century Fox Film, launched in 2008 to build upon Fox's industry-leading international motion picture activities and upon parent company 21st Century Fox's unparalleled global media reach by aligning all the company's international film productions under one banner. FIP also complements Fox's worldwide film releases with films sourced through partnerships with international producers, filmmakers, financiers, and strategic production & distribution agreements. Since 2006, FIP has already committed to the production and global distribution of Chinese contents including films, TV series and mini series.
Launched in 2010, FIP has produced and released over 50 local films in 11 countries, including "The Wailing in Korea," "Miss Bala in Mexico" and "The Hidden Face in Spain." In greater China region, FIP produced films like "Hot Summer Days," "The Butcher, the Chef, and the Swordsman," "Love in Space," "Bride Wars" and "Kwai Boo." FIP will offer support to the new film program in the field of talent resources and international experience, and support young directors in creation.
Gathering the most powerful ones in the industry, Biyi New Film Program certainly will build an ecological loop of high class online materials, and seek further new directions for developing China's non-theatre films.
FIP will support China's comic IP, many of which have limitless potential
Cheng Wu, vice president of Tencent Group / CEO of Tencent Pictures and Yang Xianghua, senior vice president of iQiYi each delivered a speech at the press conference.
Huo Suiqiang, Yin Chenyang, Luo Le, Shi Mufan, Wang Zhan, Huang Huang, Wang Tianwei, Xue Ling, Huang Zihang and Zhang Zhulin, 10 young directors of the Biyi New Film Program showed up on stage, and the average age of these talented young directors are less than 30. Later on, casts and production company representatives also appeared on stage, accompanied by renowned filmmakers like directors Zhao Tianyu and Yao Tingting, producer Takashige Ichise and screenplay writer Susan Chan. These renowned filmmakers will work as the executive producers, supporting and escorting the whole program.
Tomas Jegeus, President of Fox International Productions sent his greetings from Los Angeles via a VCR video and the video was played at the press conference. Jegeus said: "I am sending my sincere congratulations on the launch of the Biyi New Movie Program. When I was in Cannes, I met with Howard from Tencent who shared some of the very impressive materials created for the program. I want to thank all the partners: Tencent Comics who provided the IP - many of which have billions of clicks online. iQiyi-- who are providing the streaming platform. Xin Pian Chang – who is facilitating the production. Sina Entertainment, Bravo Pictures and Goodfellas - who are supporting the marketing and promotion of the program. "
He then added:"For us, this collaboration is a very cutting-edge attempt to embrace the 'Internet +' with online movies created by a team of talented new directors. We believe this is just the beginning of even more collaborations with all partners of this program to further explore new models of online content creations and better connect and serve today's young audience in China and around the world.”
In recent years, ACG (Anime, Comic and Game) culture continue to spread in Asian and global cultural sphere, and it's quite popular among young people in China. Film and television works adapted from animes and comics bring in fresh air to the industry and make it really hard to estimate the value of ACG IP.
Under the circumstances, as a platform with obvious and distinctive advantages in the industry, Fox International Productions would like to join the online movie ecosystem on this important turning point of China's film industry, and put more focus on exploring and magnifying and value of Chinese comics. Fox International Productions expects to complete the young director supporting system and bring new vitality to China's film industry.
Source: china.org