The partnership between the New York-based distributor and digital content aggregator and China Lion Film Distribution makes New Video the latter’s exclusive North American distributor across cable VoD, television, digital and DVD.
Through agreements with several of China’s leading film studios, China Lion is reintroducing mainstream Chinese and select Asian movies to theatrical audiences in other parts of the world.
New Video will distribute a selection of these films to home audiences after they are theatrically released day-and-date in the US and China.
The multi-year agreement includes distribution of the top Chinese blockbuster Aftershock, which grossed more than $100m in China.
The agreement is being announced following China Lion’s new deal with AMC Entertainment, through which up to 15 Chinese films a year will be theatrically released exclusively by AMC on at least 23 screens in key North American markets, most of them day-and-date with the theatrical release in China.
Other upcoming cross-platform releases include If You Are The One 2 (Fei Cheng Wu Rao II) and What Women Want, the remake of the Mel Gibson-Helen Hunt film starring Andy Lau and Gong Li, which opened day-and-date in the US and China in February.
“Joining forces with China Lion is an exciting endeavour for us as we delve into a new film market and leverage New Video’s physical and digital platforms to reach new audiences,” Mark Kashden, New Video’s vp of acquisitions, said. “They are clearly experts and the leading force in distributing Chinese cinema. We look forward to a successful partnership and to launching this new brand.”
“It is readily apparent to us that New Video can deliver the focus and experience needed to ensure that China Lion will become a preeminent label for the best of Chinese cinema,” China Lion’s New Zealand-based CEO Milt Barlow said. “We are delighted to entrust and partner all of our ancillary business with New Video for DVD and Blu-ray, as well as digital and TV delivery to all platforms.
“In essence, the best of Chinese cinema will now be available to North American audiences – not only through day-and-date theatrical with our partners AMC, but also through new platforms including iTunes, Xbox, Netflix and cable VOD.”
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