On June 21, 2018, ABL, in collaboration with Entertainment Capital and Inspire Orient Films, hosted the official forum of the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival titled “The Next Five Years of Chinese Cinema: New Journeys and New Missions.” Co-sponsored by Ping An Insurance and the Shanghai Film Arts Academy, the event brought together prominent figures from the film industry, government, and academia to explore the future of Chinese cinema.

A Gathering of Industry Leaders

The forum received strong support from government departments and industry leaders. Attendees included Gongyun GU, Director of ABL; Yong ZHAO, Shanghai Songjiang District Party Committee Member and Propaganda Minister; and Zhenhua YANG, Chairman and President of Shanghai New Culture Media Group. Other local film industry leaders and organizations were also represented. Congratulatory remarks were sent by Xueping GONG, a member of the 11th NPC Standing Committee and former Director of the 12th Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress.

In his opening speech, Gongyun GU highlighted ABL’s extensive expertise in entertainment law, including services in private equity, cross-border investment, capital markets, and intellectual property. He emphasized the forum’s alignment with China’s strategic goal of fostering cultural creativity and Shanghai’s ambition to become a global cultural hub. Acknowledging the rapid growth of China’s film industry, particularly in Shanghai, Gu called for innovation, global collaboration, and enhanced specialization within the legal profession to meet the industry’s evolving needs.

Gu expressed his optimism for the future, stating, “I firmly believe that through joint efforts and close collaboration from all sectors, we will undoubtedly usher in a new chapter for China’s film industry and promote its healthy growth and progress.”

Focused Discussions on Industry Challenges and Opportunities

The forum centered on two key topics:

●       “Challenges and Positive Growth for Producers and Distributors”

●       “Paths to Collaboration in the Shadow of Sino-US Trade Frictions for the Film Industries of China and the US.”

Roundtable discussions featured representatives from film investment, distribution, theater chains, film academies, insurance companies, and law firms. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on challenges and opportunities in film production, distribution, and the internationalization of Chinese cinema, offering insights and recommendations for the next five years of industry development.

Key Contributions from ABL Partners

ABL Partner Jianjun ZHENG moderated the first session, which focused on enhancing collaboration to support the internationalization of Chinese cinema. Senior Partner Fang YE, known for her role in a landmark case where a producer triumphed over a major distributor, shared her insights on the relationship between producers and distributors. She emphasized the importance of fiduciary duty and good faith, calling for third-party supervisory institutions to establish industry benchmarks and enhance integrity mechanisms. Drawing on Hollywood’s experience, Ye noted that professional legal support at every stage of the film industry is essential for building a robust legal and industrial framework.

In the second session, Senior Partner Yan ZHANG addressed the potential impact of U.S.-China trade tensions on film collaborations. Zhang noted that cultural industries are unlikely to face significant disruptions, as bilateral negotiations tend to accommodate cultural exchange. He also pointed out that the integration of the Film Bureau into the Publicity Department might lead to stricter oversight but would ultimately provide clearer standards and unified administration, benefiting the industry in the long term.

A Vision for the Future

The forum concluded in a vibrant and optimistic atmosphere, with participants expressing strong interest in future collaborations with ABL to advance Chinese cinema. By fostering meaningful dialogue and providing thought leadership, ABL continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and industrial framework for China’s growing entertainment industry.

This successful event underscores ABL’s commitment to supporting innovation and international collaboration in Chinese cinema, setting the stage for the next era of cultural and creative development.