U.S.- China sign Film Agreement

[Michael Panfeld]

Official press release

http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-o...-movies-disput


Industry reaction

http://ifta-online.org/ifta-applauds...film-agreement

[Maxi Claudio]

The Movie studios are moving production to China?

[Joseph Coleman]

I believe this is focused more on distribution than production.

[Craig Parkes]

I gather it means that instead of delivering 20 films a year into China, American studios can delivery 30, and get a better slice of ticket sales on those films. What that means from an independent film maker pointer of view, is the idea that at some point China will open the door to more films again, because realistically I doubt too many independent producers really believe at this juncture they are going to be one of the 30 that get distributed into China, just as they weren't likely to be one of the 20. Those spots will be locked down by studio releases I imagine, with maybe the opportunity for a single successful independent sale a year.

It's good news for the future certainly, but independent productions which hope to distribute in China will still need to be officially recognized co-productions.