Following its acquisition of a major stake in Golden Harvest Group, Beijing-based Chengtian Entertainment is entering the multiplex business with expansion plans in mainland China.

Apart from the existing Golden Harvest cinema in Shenzhen, three more theatres are planned in Beijing, Wuxi and Hangzhou.

Wuxi's Mao Ye Mall 11-screen multiplex will open in June: a 16-screen complex in Changan Mall in central Beijing opens a month later; with Hangzhou's 12-screen cinema in Mix C shopping mall will open in 2009.

Last November, Chengtian Entertainment bought 25% of Golden Harvest becoming the major shareholder.

Established in 2005 as a company specialising in artist management and TV productions, Chengtian received investment from Japan's Avex Group in late 2006. It entered production in 2007, producing five films.

At Filmart, Chengtian is handling sales of two films: black comedy Lost And Found (previously named I Am Liu Yuejin) co-produced with China Film Group, and romance drama Life Today starring Xia Yu.

Chengtian has also announced five projects in development, including action comedy Thieves Of The Times with Wang Guangli, commercial director Li Weiran's directorial debut Sleeping Treasure, China-Japan co-production Mystery Of Monk Kugai, sci-fi comedy Worm Hole and adventure Amazons Of Family Tang.

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