Shandong city turns to film industry

The growing flow of productions has since gathered pace. In the first half of this year, Laoling Film Studio hosted 12 theatrical films and long- and medium-length drama productions. It has also signed agreements for about 100 micro-dramas, with more than 30 already completed.

Liu Yang, the studio's president, said more than 400 film, television and tourism-related companies have set up businesses in Laoling in recent years, with a pool of about 30,000 registered extras now available for productions.

Liu Zhong, director of Laoling's culture and tourism bureau, said the county-level city is seeking to integrate film production with tourism, using popular productions and filming locations to attract visitors and generate spending on dining, accommodation, transportation, retail and local specialties.

Laoling has attracted 23 new hotels, guesthouses and other accommodation businesses, bringing its total number of beds to more than 9,700. The film studio is also home to more than 200 cultural and creative businesses, restaurants and time-honored brands.