Visit Will Include Industry Panels, Chinese Film Screenings and Networking Opportunities
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission (TFEMC) will host a delegation of Chinese film professionals April 22-26 during the Nashville Film Festival. Along with industry panel discussions and Chinese film screenings, the visit will introduce Tennessee’s entertainment industry to one of the fastest growing entertainment markets in the world, building international relations and opening the door to possible foreign distribution and co-productions.
“The world is now more interconnected than ever before, and Tennessee is a relationship state,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “We’re happy to provide these unique cultural and educational exchanges between our entertainment industry and China’s burgeoning entertainment industry. Hopefully new friendships, networks and business opportunities will be developed as a result.”
While in Nashville, the 10-member delegation will attend a panel presentation providing an introduction and overview of Tennessee’s entertainment industry and feature TFEMC Executive Director Bob Raines, Film Com Chairman Andy van Roon, Senior Vice President of Affirm Films/Sony Pictures Entertainment Rich Peluso and Cutwater Law Founder Bob Zeglarski.
“This is the first time the TFEMC has reached out to our entertainment industry counterparts across the world,” Raines said. “We’re excited to learn more about Chinese film production and educate the delegation on Tennessee’s talented film industry and the resources we can provide to China’s fast growing entertainment sector.”
The Chinese delegates will also participate in “The Future of Film in China” panel discussion as part of the Nashville Film Festival official events on Friday, April 24 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Regal Green Hills cinema. The panel will discuss the current market trends of China’s entertainment industry, how Chinese production companies plan to compete internationally, and strategies for U.S. and Chinese film makers and investors to partner with one other. There will be opportunities to dialogue and network at the end of the session.
The delegation was organized through the China Film Producers’ Association, a trade organization of Chinese film production companies that offers a link between the Chinese government, Chinese film producers and the Chinese people to insure Chinese films’ direct and efficient access to the market. The organization also helps strengthen international exchange, develop international cooperation and promote Chinese films in foreign countries.
Members of the delegation visiting Nashville include top ranking officials from the China Film Producers’ Association, Beijing Forbidden City Film Co., Beijing Huaying Century National Film and Television Production Center, Heilongjiang Yuetong Culture Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Li Yanqiu Culture and Art Studio Co., Ltd., and Legends of the Fall (Beijing) Culture Co., Ltd.
The Nashville Film Festival is hosting a Chinese movie night on Friday, April 24 beginning at 3:30 p.m. screening four Chinese films. Tickets can be purchased online at nashvillefilmfestival.org/buy-tickets/, and the schedule is available at nashvillefilmfestival.org/schedule/.
China is home to a rapidly growing entertainment industry with the world’s second largest box office behind only the U.S. In February of this year, China beat the U.S. box office for the first time ever with $650 million in revenue compared to $640 million in U.S. revenue according to entertainment research firm EntGroup. Recently, the U.S. movie “Furious 7” had the biggest opening day and opening week ever for any film in China.
The Nashville Film Festival is going on now through April 25 at the Regal Green Hills cinema. For more information on the festival, please visit nashvillefilmfestival.org.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named 2014 and 2013 “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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