China and Singapore Sign Film Co-production Agreement
July 23, 2010
Source: Media Development Authority
China and Singapore
today signed a Film Coproduction Agreement on the sidelines
of the 7th China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Co-operation
(CSJCBC) in Beijing, China.
The Agreement was signed by Singapore's Parliamentary Secretary
for Trade and Industry and Information, Communications and
the Arts, Mr Sam Tan, and Vice Minister Mr Zhang Pimin, from
China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television
(SARFT). The co-chairs of CSJCBC, Singapore's Deputy Prime
Minister Wong Kan Seng and China's Vice Premier Wang Qishan,
witnessed the signing.
The China-Singapore Film Co-production Agreement covers theatrical
feature films and telemovies, across live-action, animation
and documentaries. It is expected to pave the way for more
film tie-ups between the two countries as co-productions will
enjoy the same access to government funding and incentives
as do national productions in each country. Official co-productions
are also treated as national productions in each country for
the purposes of content regulation.
"China and Singapore mutually admire each other's achievements
in the film sector. In recent years, both countries have embarked
on film-related exchanges such as importing each other's films
and co-organising film festivals, which set the foundation
for closer collaboration in the future. The signing of the
China-Singapore Film Coproduction Agreement provides direction
and guidance for filmmakers from both countries to pursue
co-productions, and creates favourable conditions for partnerships
in content and technology development. We hope to continue
strengthening our interaction with Singapore in the film sector
and explore more and better ways of partnership," said
Mr Zhang Pimin, Vice Minister of China's State Administration
of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
"With a rising global interest in Asian media content,
this Film Co-Production Agreement presents immense opportunities
for filmmakers in China and Singapore to collaborate, as well
as share experiences and resources to showcase the rich heritage
and culture in our two countries internationally through films.
There is also potential for filmmakers from both countries
to collaborate in new growth areas, such as stereoscopic 3D
productions," said Mr Sam Tan, Parliamentary Secretary,
Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Information,
Communications and the Arts.
Singapore is the first country in Asia to enter into a Film
Co-production Agreement with China. This is Singapore's fourth
Film Co-production Agreement after similar tie-ups with Australia,
Canada and New Zealand.
The negotiations for the Agreement started in late 2008 and
took about one-and-a-half years to conclude, a relatively
short time for such agreements, and a testament of the longstanding
and special relations between Singapore and China.
The Film Co-production Agreement will be administered by SARFT
Film Bureau and Media Development Authority (MDA), on behalf
of China and Singapore, respectively.
To facilitate greater exchanges between filmmakers from both
countries, SARFT Film Bureau and MDA plan to embark on a regular
China-Singapore Film Festival Exchange.
This follows a successful pilot that saw the inaugural Singapore
Film Festival in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007, and the first
China Film Festival in Singapore in 2008. In addition to reaching
out to the movie-going public, these film festivals will serve
as platforms for filmmakers from both sides to meet and exchange
ideas.
"In line with our common goal of promoting cultures and
mutual development, SARFT and MDA co-hosted film festivals
in 2007 and 2008. The first Singapore Film Festival held at
Beijing and Shanghai in 2007 was well-received by Chinese
audiences; similarly, the China Film Festival in Singapore
in 2008 was equally a success. We hope the China-Singapore
Film Festival Exchange would promote the development of the
two countries' film industries, and contribute toward enhancing
the friendship between the peoples of the two nations,"
said Mr La Peikang, Deputy Director-General of SARFT Film
Bureau.
"The China-Singapore Film Co-production Agreement is
a landmark agreement that will spur greater industry collaborations
between the two countries. It facilitates filmmakers from
China and Singapore to pool resources and create a larger
distribution network for the international market. China and
Singapore share deep historical and cultural connections.
This affinity in language and culture, warmed by many decades
of friendly collaboration, will allow filmmakers from both
countries to pursue common themes and unearth uniquely Asian
storylines that can resonate with global audiences,"
said Dr Christopher Chia, MDA Chief Executive Officer.
News of the China-Singapore Film Co-Production Agreement was
welcomed by the industry players in both countries.
"China and Singapore are close neighbours with similar
cultures. China's long history, rich film production resources
and huge market potential are good reasons for the filmmakers
from both countries to embark on fruitful collaborations.
The signing of the Film Co-production Agreement marks the
beginning of a promising future," said Director Li Qiankuan,
who is Chairman of China Film Foundation and China Film Association.
"It is truly a momentous milestone for Singapore cinema
as it will enable greater cinematic cross-pollination between
the two countries in technical and creative knowhow. This
Agreement coincides with the blossoming of Chinese Cinema
and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures is very excited with the new
opportunities that it will offer in the future," said
Mr Man Shu Sum, Managing Director, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures.
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