China’s Joy Pictures Announces Two New Animated Films at Cannes

Tom Grater International Film ReporterEXCLUSIVE: Leading Russian animation outfit Riki Group has signed a deal with Beijing-based producer and distributor Joy Culture and Chinese platform Tencent Video to partner on season four of animated series The Fixies.Following its acquisition of the show’s third season, Tencent will now invest in the production of 52 new episodes of the series, which follows the comical misadventures of Tom Thomas and his secret friendship with Simka and Nolik, two young

Rebecca Davis editorHong Kong “Mulan” star Donnie Yen this week reiterated his political loyalty to mainland China as he teased work on the upcoming theatrical adaptation of popular video game “Sleeping Dogs” and announced “Golden Empire,” a new China-backed crime thriller.His hometown is currently roiling under the impact of a controversial new national security law imposed by Beijing that strips Hong Kong of many of its former freedoms, which came into effect July 1 — the anniversary of

Rebecca Davis editorTencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) has established a strategic partnership with Japan’s CoMix Wave Films Inc., the animation studio and distribution firm best known for works by helmer Makoto Shinkai.The new partnership will see the original soundtracks from 17 popular Japanese animated films put up on TME’s music platforms: QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music and KTV app WeSing.Two of Shinkai’s films have been hits in China in recent years.

Rebecca Davis editorMusic industry service provider Outdustry has this week launched Outdustry Songs, a new independent music publisher focused on China, with an exclusive sub-publishing deal with U.S. indie Reservoir.Founded in 2006, Outdustry provides specialist A&R, rights and marketing services, aimed at the China and India markets.

flu that has the potential to become the next global pandemic if it is not closely monitored. Scientists in China have discovered the virus G4 that is said to be similar to that of Swine Flu - which spread globally in 2009, reports the Mirror.

A new strain of flu that has the potential to become a pandemic has been identified in China.Scientists in the country say the virus has been found in pigs but can infect humans.After the publication of the study, a biologist has said that there is no 'imminent threat' or risk of a new pandemic but it must be watched closely.Researchers say the strain of flu, named G4 EA H1N1, is similar to the swine flu that caused a pandemic in 2009 and possesses "all the essential hallmarks of a candidate

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorIt’s official — at least for the time being: Disney said Friday it is moving Niki Caro’s Mulan release date from July 25 to August 21, the weekend after Tenet‘s five-day opening from August 12-16.We were hearing noise about this earlier this week, as we told you, with COVID-19 cases surging nationwide and theaters reopening in New York, Los Angeles and China up in the air.

Rebecca Davis editorDirector Lu Yang’s “Assassins in Red” is set to debut next lunar new year, a holiday release window that will likely be one of China’s most competitive ever, as 2020 blockbusters pushed back by the coronavirus prepare to jostle with new titles during the country’s biggest movie-going week of the year. But Lu gently laughs off the question of whether the pressure is already a bit unbearable.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Ip Man: Kung Fu Master,” the latest in a long line of Ip Man movies from Hong Kong and mainland China, has found its way to the virtual Cannes Market, where it is being represented by Hong Kong- and Paris-based All Rights Entertainment.Directed by Li Liming and produced by Kai Pictures, it stars Dennis To in his third go at the role of Ip Man, the martial artist who famously tutored Bruce Lee, and whose life has spawned two competing biopic franchises.To

Nancy Tartaglione International Box Office Editor/Senior ContributorA pair of China-focused panels at the Cannes Virtual Market this morning provided some insight into what’s happening in the Middle Kingdom as Beijing deals with a recent reemergence of coronavirus cases and movie theaters remain shuttered. The news wasn’t terribly positive.Jerry Ye, Chairman of Huaying Tianxia (Tianjin) Film Development said there is “no timetable for reopening for cinemas just yet.

The Chinese legend of the Moon Goddess is getting treated to a gorgeous animated update with Netflix’s “Over The Moon”.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: Mark Amin’s U.S. based Sobini Films (Good Kill), Japanese producer Motoko Kimura (L.D.K), and Lifeng Wang’s (Skiptrace) Yintai Investment are teaming up to launch the ACJ Film Fund.ACJ is a joint venture to develop and finance wide-release theatrical films that will appeal to the American, Chinese, and Japanese markets.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards, Features EditorNetflix and Pearl Studio unveiled the first trailer for their animated film “Over the Moon” on Tuesday following a virtual discussion with some of the cast and crew about the pic last week.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentFilms Boutique has acquired international rights to Chinese filmmaker Wei Shujun’s “Striding Into the Wind,” which is part of Cannes’ 2020 Official Selection.