7:46:00 AM
.
CULVER CITY, Calif., November 1, 2016 – Sony
Pictures Entertainment announced today that the studio is launching a
China Writers Initiative in which emerging and established writers from
China will be hosted by the studio. Through the initiative, writers from
China will meet with established Hollywood film and television
executives and screenwriters to exchange and collaborate on ideas both
for Hollywood films as well as Hollywood Chinese co-productions to
promote and enhance better mutual understanding. The announcement of the
program was made by Tom Rothman, chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Motion Picture Group at the 6th Annual China International Co-Production
Film Screenings.
The new program, developed with Sony Pictures
China, and overseen by the President of Columbia Pictures, Sanford
Panitch, is designed to foster a stronger relationship between Hollywood
and Chinese writers and find ways to work together on content for both
Hollywood films and Chinese co-productions. The goal of the initiative
is for writers and executives to gain the unique perspective of creative
voices from China – one of the world's most important film markets –
and for Chinese writers to meet Hollywood writers to enrich this
collaboration.
Commenting on the announcement, Rothman said, "The
screenplay is the foundation of everything we do – it all starts with
the writer. So as we look to make great content for global audiences,
it's critical that the writers we work with both here and in China
understand each other's cultures. That's the goal of this program – we
can support that dialogue by fostering cooperation between writers to
receive each other's perspective, which will benefit Hollywood, Chinese
language films, and Chinese co-productions."
Senator Chris Dodd,
Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America, said, "We thank
Sony Pictures Studios for hosting this year's China International
Coproduction Film Screenings – an event we began six years ago here in
Los Angeles. Over the years, the program has enabled us to showcase some
of the best films China has co-produced with international partners.
With the launch of the China Writers Initiative, we are pleased to see
Sony cooperating with some of the most promising Chinese filmmakers in a
program that puts quality screenplays at the focus of potential new
co-productions. As China continues on its path to become the largest
theatrical market in the world, partnerships between Hollywood and China
will mutually benefit our two great film industries and economies."
Under
the initiative, Sony Pictures will select four writers at a time for a
two-week stay in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures Studios with an itinerary
of meetings, mutual education, and discussion. The final selection among
the candidates will be made by a committee with representatives from
Sony Pictures' Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures International
Productions, China; and Film Bureau, State Administration of Press,
Publication, Radio, Film & TV, People's Republic of China (Film
Bureau). Writers in China interested in the program may find more
information at http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/china-writers-initiative.
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony
Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment
Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global
operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and
distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution;
television networks; digital content creation and distribution;
operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment
products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
Contact
Office of Jean Guerin
SVP, Media Relations
Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group
(310) 244-2923
