China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 6 Week of 8 July 2024
(1) Chinese Box Office Overall Performance Remains Weak
While the Chinese box office revenue rose by US$19m over the weekend, the overall box office performance experienced a decline compared to last year.
(2) Cinemas Allegedly Discriminate Against Movie-goers who are Singles
Shanghai theaters restrict seat selection, raising concerns about consumer choice.
(3) Chinese Video Games on the Rise
Chinese video games, Black Myth: Wukong, Phantom Blade Zero and Genshin Impact have achieved global success.
(4) China Takes the Lead in Global Adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence
China takes lead in the adoption, research, patent filings and the implementation of regulation for generative AI.
(5) New Filing Requirements for Participation in Foreign Film Festivals/Exhibitions
On 4 July 2024, the China Film Administration issued a notice, requiring the particulars of films and foreign film festivals / exhibitions to be filed with film administrative authorities before being allowed to participate in foreign film festivals or exhibitions.
(6) Film Set of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In To be repurposed for Exhibition
The HK government intends to repurpose parts of the Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In film set for exhibition.
(7) Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong (ACGHK) 2024
ACGHK 2024 is set for July 26-30 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organizers are making changes to the ticketing for better crowd management. The event expects 2,000+ cosplayers and 140+ exhibitors.
(8) Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Pocketpair jointly establish Palworld Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Pocketpair have formed Palworld Entertainment, a joint venture to enhance the reach and commercial initiatives of the game Palworld, and create unique merchandise inspired by the game.
(1) Chinese Box Office Overall Performance Remains Weak
Last weekend, the crime thriller A Place Called Silence debuted in China, earning US$50 million. Inside Out 2 accumulated US$36.5 million, while Moments We Shared surpassed US$63.9 million in earnings.
The Chinese box office revenue for the weekend has increased by US$19 million to US$70 million. However, the year-to-date deficit has now exceeded 12% compared to 2023.
In June 2024, the Chinese box office generated US$314 million, marking a significant 46% decrease compared to June 2023. June 2024 is thus far the lowest-performing month in China this year.
During the first half of 2024, China’s gross box office earnings amounted to 23.9 billion yuan, with 550 million admissions. This represents year-on-year decreases of 9.0% and 8.9% respectively. Despite a record-breaking US$1.1 billion earned during the Lunar New Year, the overall box office performance experienced a decline.
New Source: Variety – China Box Office: Malaysian Crime Thriller ‘A Place Called Silence’ Makes $50 Million Debut (https://variety.com/2024/film/news/china-box-office-crime-thriller-place-called-silence-big-debut-1236062089/#recipient_hashed=503b8d83fccf68ee6fc869f9ea7936d11cefbdf5b34c5df60372189cd3bfbbea&recipient_salt=f503f1d2b597b85348cc61762ea4f6ae895f2770f5510afcd7652ba3309e286c&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=intlnewsalert&utm_content=535051_07-07-2)
(2) Cinemas Allegedly Discriminate Against Movie-goers who are Singles
Many theaters in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and Guangzhou have implemented policies to optimize seat utilization. Moviegoers are not allowed to select the middle seats when buying single movie tickets. Further, group purchases that leave one seat empty in the middle are also prohibited. The cinemas argue that these measures improve operational efficiency and prevent seat vacancies and scalping. However, legal experts believe such policies deprive consumers of their right to choose.
News Source: HK01 – 歧視單身？消費者投訴買單張飛難揀中間位 影院：優化座位利用率 https://www.hk01.com/article/1036668?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(3) Chinese Video Games on the Rise
China’s cultural influence is rising in literature, cinema, historical dramas, and online gaming. The highly anticipated game Black Myth: Wukong, based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West has already topped Steam’s wishlist chart. Another major gaming title, Phantom Blade Zero by Beijing-based S-Game, combines traditional Chinese martial arts with fantasy, attracting over 1.4 million views on PlayStation’s official YouTube page.
Previously, Chinese online games achieved notable success, including Genshin Impact which was released in 2020. It surpassed US$100 million in global player spending within 13 days, becoming the first Chinese video game to achieve such global popularity.
China’s gaming industry continues to thrive, with domestic products generating US$16.37 billion in overseas sales in 2023, surpassing 100 billion yuan for the fourth consecutive year.
News Source: Xinhua – China Focus: Video games emerge as global ambassadors of China’s cultural appeal https://english.news.cn/20240709/ea8ba02d22f446b6b8788d29f00d4d8d/c.html
(4) China Takes the Lead in Global Adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence
China has emerged as a frontrunner in the field of generative artificial intelligence, as indicated by a recent survey conducted by SAS Institute and Coleman Parkes Research. The survey revealed that 83% of Chinese respondents have utilized generative AI technology, surpassing the adoption rates of the UK and the US.
Moreover, it is found that China has filed significantly more patent applications for generative AI inventions than any other country, as highlighted in a report from the World Intellectual Property Organization. Chinese institutions have established dominance in research papers on topics related to artificial intelligence. It is also worth noting that China has implemented regulations to address concerns on intellectual property, privacy, and fraud in relation to AI application.
News Source: HK01 – 中國生成式人工智能應用率獨領全球 企業專利申請榜「前五佔四」 https://www.hk01.com/article/1036828?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(5) New Filing Requirements for Participation in Foreign Film Festivals/Exhibitions
On 4 July 2024, the China Film Administration (“CFA”) issued a notice (“Notice”), requiring films to be filed with CFA before being allowed to participate in foreign film festivals or exhibitions.
The Notice is said to be issued in accordance with the Film Industry Promotion Law of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and the Provisions on the Administration of Radio, Film and Television Festivals (Exhibitions) and Program Exchange Activities.
According to the Notice, when the shooting is duly completed, the film shall obtain a Film Public Screening Permit before it can be submitted for participation in domestic film festivals / exhibition. The film shall also be required to file its production particulars and information of its participating foreign film festivals / exhibitions with CFA or film administrative department (subject to territorial jurisdiction).
News Source: China film gov – 影片赴境外参加电影节（展）前须履行备案
https://www.chinafilm.gov.cn/xxgk/gztz/202407/t20240704_854194.html
(6) Film Set of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In To be repurposed for Exhibition
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Kevin Yeung stated that the government plans to repurpose parts of the Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In film set as an exhibition for the general public.
The exhibition of the film set may take place at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues or within the Kowloon Walled City Park. Yeung expects the exhibition to be launched within a year, capitalising on the public interest in the upcoming prequel and sequel to the film.
Regarding filmmaker Johnnie To’s comments about the government withdrawing funding for the Fresh Wave International Film Festival, Yeung said the Film Development Fund has various programs supporting emerging directors. For individual projects like Fresh Wave, the Arts Development Council makes funding decisions based on their own assessments. They may feel the long-running festival can now self-sustain or that resources should shift to newer initiatives.
News Source: RTHK – 上任兩周年｜楊潤雄稱九龍城寨電影廠景考慮重置於九龍寨城公園
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1760426-20240705.htm
(7) Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong (ACGHK) 2024
ACGHK 2024 is set to take place from July 26-30 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Learning from its unsatisfying experience of crowd management last year, the organizers are said to implement changes to the ticketing mechanism, so that the admission to ACGHK’s exhibition and cosplay areas are separated and organised.
Despite these logistical adjustments, the event is said to attract over 2,000 cosplayers and according to ACGHK’s CEO, Leung Chung-pun, more than 140 exhibitors.
Leung also commented that ACGHK is envisioning to “continue developing into the most influential anime exhibition in the whole of Asia, or even the world.”
News Source – RTHK – Comics fair hopes to avoid overcrowding (https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1760890-20240709.htm)
(8) Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Pocketpair jointly establish Palworld Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, have come together to form Palworld Entertainment, a joint venture. This new collaboration aims to enhance the intellectual property outreach and commercial initiatives of Palworld, including the associated worldwide licensing and merchandising.
Palworld, an open-world multiplayer survival game developed, produced, and published by Japanese studio Pocketpair, quickly became the standout hit of 2024, reaching over 25 million players within a month of its release.
It is reported that the joint venture will kick off with the production of unique merchandise inspired by the game. These items are said to be unveiled and sold at the Pocketpair booth in Bilibili World 2024 (a carnival held by a major Chinese online video platform—bilibili.com), starting on Friday, July 12, 2024, in Shanghai, China.
News Source – gematsu.com – Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex, and Pocketpair jointly establish Palworld Entertainment (https://www.gematsu.com/2024/07/sony-music-entertainment-japan-aniplex-and-pocketpair-jointly-establish-palworld-entertainment)
