Foreign Films in China

[Randy W]

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China gives second state company license to import overseas films

Currently the only company that holds an import and distribution license is China Film Group, through which state-owned Huaxia has a license to distribute films.

 

The news follows previous reports that the Film Bureau in Beijing had been considering raising the quota of foreign films released in China to 44, a move that would improve relations between Hollywood and the world's second-biggest box office market.

US films account for the majority of foreign films released in China, although Chinese censors remain one of the greatest hurdles for foreign filmmakers looking to get their movies on the market.

 

It's not clear if more films will be imported from overseas under the new license or if the quota, currently at 34, will be decided between the two companies.

 

"It is not likely to translate into an increase in the quota system immediately. The aim is to put this on a business footing and make it a success. They will probably each have 17 films, but that is unlikely to happen immediately, as CNCAC doesn't have the infrastructure," a source told THR.