Chinese-Speaking Markets
Liz Shackleton
Southeast Asia
Streamlined Guides: Updates To Vietnam Market
Streamlined Guides launched its first edition in May 2024 with the two-part 'Streamlined Guide to Vietnam', as we recognised that this is one of the most dynamic markets in Southeast Asia, if not the world. This edition provides updates on the 2024 guide based on research conducted over
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Hong Kong Box Office Down 15% in 2025; ‘Back To The Past’ Brings Late Year Boost
Hong Kong and Macau’s box office continued their downwards slide in 2025, with ticket sales coming in at a combined $155m (HK$1.21bn), a decrease of 15% compared to the previous year, according to figures from Hong Kong Box Office. In 2024, Hong Kong’s total box office
Chinese-Speaking Markets
China's 2025 Box Office Up 22% To $7.4bn Driven By Animation
China’s box office increased by 22% to reach $7.4bn (RMB51.83bn) in 2025, compared to $5.8bn the previous year, according to figures from China Film Administration. Two animated titles topped the year-end top ten, raking in $2.8bn between them – Lunar New Year hit Ne Zha 2,
Streamlined Guides
Streamlined Guides: Streaming Levies & Investment Obligations Part Two
Part Two of this guide looks at how six international territories are regulating streamers: UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa & Brazil.
Festivals
‘I’m Perfect’, ‘Call Me Mother’ Take Acting Awards At Metro Manila Film Festival
Sigrid Bernardo’s I’m Perfect and Jun Robles Lana’s Call Me Mother were among the major winners at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (December 25-January 7) in the Philippines. In a heartening win for representation, Krystel Go, an actress with Down’s Syndrome, was awarded Best
Middle East
Red Sea Fest & Souk Wrap; Saudi Film Funders; MENA Box Office
Africa
CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi, Akuna & Durban FilmMart Execs On How African Cinema Is Evolving
Industry execs and filmmakers, including Nigerian director-producer CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi, discussed how African cinema is evolving through collaboration, as well as some of the challenges it faces, on a Souk Talks panel at Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF). Also speaking on the panel were Durban FilmMart (DFM) director Magdalene
Africa
‘Barni’ Director Mohammed Sheikh On Inspiring A New Generation Of Somali Filmmakers
Minnesota-based Somali filmmaker Mohammed Sheikh has just held the world premiere for his debut feature, Barni, which he filmed in Djibouti, at Red Sea International Film Festival. Born in the Kebribeyah refugee camp in Ethiopia – where his parents fled during the Somali Civil War – Sheikh moved to the US with
Southeast Asia
Philippines’ SineMaya Fest Wraps Fourth Edition; Hands Awards To ‘Alab’ & ‘Light By The Sea’
Funded by micro financing platform CARD MRI, the initiative aims to support storytellers from rural and working-class communities.
Korea & Japan
‘Lost Land’ Wins Best Film At Red Sea International Film Festival
The Silver Yusr was awarded to 'All That’s Left Of You' from Cherien Dabis, while the Jury Prize went to 'Hijra' from Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen.
Middle East
Saudi & Egypt Emerge As Box Office Bright Spots In MENA Region
Box office growth in two MENA markets dominated discussions during the Souk Talks at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival. Saudi’s box office picked up this year, after a slump in 2024, due to a diverse range of local and international titles. Meanwhile, the Egyptian market is