CRI听力:Film Insiders Explore Ways to Tap Market in New Silk Road Era

China's "New Silk Road" initiative has been widely heralded for its potential to reshape Asia's economic landscape. [Photo: newspaper.jfdaily.com]

The Hong Kong International Film Festival is underway, with movie fans and experts sharing their insights about Asia's film industry.

CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Li Jing has more.

Film Insiders Explore Ways to Tap Market in New Silk Road Era 

China's "New Silk Road" initiative has been widely heralded for its potential to reshape Asia's economic landscape.

Ma Runsheng, a renowned director and producer from Beijing, believes it will also have a profound impact on the region's movie and entertainment industry.

"A Bite of China has been translated into 9 languages and aired in more than 70 countries and regions. Each single episode of the documentary has been well received. So I was considering whether we could produce A Bite of Asia, or A Bite Along the Silk Road, to introduce Asian food in new areas. That would be delicious. "

Aired in 2012, A Bite of China is a series of food documentaries telling the histories and stories behind Chinese cuisine. It was a big hit and has drawn millions of viewers online.

Ma Runsheng also has a suggestion for what filmmakers can do to promote their works globally.

"You can introduce your productions to us and we can translate them and distribute them to other countries, so they can be appreciated by global audience without language barriers. I also hope good Chinese movies, TV dramas, animations and documentaries can be played in overseas TV channels."

Yasushi Shiina, Director General of Tokyo International Film Festival, says movies have no boundaries.

"Movies provide a diverse platform for Asian countries to exchange ideas and understand each other better."

Director of Busan International Film Festival Lee Yong-Kwan says they have learned a lot from the region's film festivals.

"We have set up trans-national movie foundations to invite students to go abroad to study and travel, so they can learn others' cultures and in return, put their knowledge into practice."

India's "Bollywood," Japan's "J-pop" and South Korea's "K-pop" have already established their names globally, while the ASEAN countries, strategically located on the first leg of the "New Silk Road", have committed to opening their film markets this year.

Asia's movie industry is booming as the world's largest and fastest growing film market. Last year, combined box office receipts in this region accounted for 80 percent of all global growth in the sector.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.