Making films competitive

Chinese filmmakers should rise up to the challenges resulting from the China-US agreement that will make it easier for US studios and independent filmmakers to reach the fast-growing Chinese market.

While US films are a big draw for Chinese audiences, the increased participation of US studios and independent filmmakers in the Chinese market also offers an opportunity for Chinese filmmakers to learn the advanced technologies and innovative ideas that make US films such a commercial success worldwide.

Oriental DreamWorks, a joint venture between DreamWorks Animation of the US and three media and investment companies in Shanghai, which was announced on Friday, is just a case in point. Announcing the $330 million joint venture, Jeffrey Katzenberg, head of DreamWorks Animation, said the partners are looking forward to building "a first-of-its-kind enterprise" that will produce high-quality creative content in China.