Chinese-Speaking Markets
Huayi Brothers Pacts With Alibaba, Tencent
Chinese film studio Huayi Brothers is raising finance through Alibaba and Tencent, and also signing strategic partnerships with the rival internet giants.
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Chinese-Speaking Markets
Tencent Pacts With Warner Music For Digital Distribution
China’s Tencent has struck a deal with Warner Music to handle digital distribution of its repertoire and new releases in China, excluding Chinese mobile operators.
Europe
Wild Bunch Reveals Plans to Launch Pan-European Streamer
Cutting edge, Paris-based production, sales and distribution group Wild Bunch, has announced it is planning to launch a pan-European digital distribution operation, organising cross-territory, day-and-date releases in the region.
Korea & Japan
Japan’s Softbank To Acquire DramaFever
Fresh from its deal to invest in Legendary Entertainment, Japan’s Softbank is buying video service DramaFever, which streams TV shows and movies from around the globe.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Equity Crowdfunding Still On The Starting Blocks
UK director Simon West says he is using equity crowdfunding for $10m action comedy Salty, but speakers at last week’s Asian Film Market explained this form of film financing still faces regulatory hurdles around the world.
Middle East
Crouching Tiger 2: Not Coming To A Cinema Near You Soon
Netflix’s announcement that it is planning a global day-and-date release for martial arts action epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend is meeting with strong resistance from cinema chains worldwide.
Middle East
'Crouching Tiger' Sequel To Smash Windows
Netflix and The Weinstein Company have announced that they will release the sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon simultaneously on the streaming platform and in IMAX theatres on August 28, 2015.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Tencent Unveils Movie Production Plans
Move over Alibaba – Tencent also has its sights set on China's booming movie industry, announcing plans to produce four to five feature films a year.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
StudioCanal Signs Chinese SVOD Deals
Leading European film company StudioCanal has signed separate SVOD deals with Chinese internet companies Youku Tudou and BesTV.
Middle East
Dubai's Front Row Seals Middle East iTunes Deal
Sourcing independent, Arabic-language films inside and outside the Arab world can be a challenge but this looks set to change following a ground-breaking initiative between Dubai-based distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment and iTunes.
Korea & Japan
COMMENT: Thawing The Theatrical Model
Snowpiercer’s US release proves that VOD can co-exist with theatrical, although this pattern shouldn’t be used as a default setting for unusual films.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Breaking Schedules: China's Online Video Boom
Forget DVD and television; China's young audiences are already consuming most of their entertainment through online video platforms.