Written by on Mar 3, 2015. Posted in On Location

UK and China ratify filming co-production deal

The UK and China have ratified a film co-production deal at the Great Festival of Creativity in Hong Kong. Official co-productions will get access to the UK’s filming incentives, while the deal also means that the UK industry will get better access to the lucrative Chinese market.

This treaty is a breakthrough for UK and Chinese production companies,” said the UK’s Culture Secretary Sajid Javid.

“It will pave the way for UK producers and their Chinese counterparts to share their creative expertise and make incredible films that will be enjoyed around the world.”

Added Miao Xiaotian, President of the China Film Co-production Corporation: “The signing of the Sino-UK Film Co-Production Treaty heralds the start of a new era in collaborative film production between the UK and China.

“I have reason to believe that it will open the way for broader co-operation between our respective film industries. We can look forward to a future of integrated development and win-win co-operation.”

The UK is already involved with China’s production industry. Pinewood Studios made a deal this time last year to advise on the design of the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis in eastern China, an USD 8.2 billion facility that is scheduled to offer sound stages and post-production resources from next year.

China only allows 34 foreign films to be released in the country each year, but official co-productions can bypass this quota.

Hollywood has been stepping up its interest in China in recent years. The action sequel Transformers: Age of Extinction (above) made a production deal to film its finale in Hong Kong and mainland China, primarily as a way of getting a firmer foothold in the Chinese market. Scenes were also shot on a Hong Kong set in Detroit.

(Image: Paramount Pictures)