Press Releases

CULVER CITY, Calif., November 1, 2016 - Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that the studio is launching a China Writers Initiative in which emerging and established writers from China will be hosted by the studio. Through the initiative, writers from China will meet with established Hollywood film and television executives and screenwriters to exchange and collaborate on ideas both for Hollywood films as well as Hollywood Chinese co-productions to promote and enhance better mutual understanding. The announcement of the program was made by Tom Rothman, chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group at the 6th Annual China International Co-Production Film Screenings.

The new program, developed with Sony Pictures China, and overseen by the President of Columbia Pictures, Sanford Panitch, is designed to foster a stronger relationship between Hollywood and Chinese writers and find ways to work together on content for both Hollywood films and Chinese co-productions. The goal of the initiative is for writers and executives to gain the unique perspective of creative voices from China - one of the world's most important film markets - and for Chinese writers to meet Hollywood writers to enrich this collaboration.

Commenting on the announcement, Rothman said, "The screenplay is the foundation of everything we do - it all starts with the writer. So as we look to make great content for global audiences, it's critical that the writers we work with both here and in China understand each other's cultures. That's the goal of this program - we can support that dialogue by fostering cooperation between writers to receive each other's perspective, which will benefit Hollywood, Chinese language films, and Chinese co-productions."

Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America, said, "We thank Sony Pictures Studios for hosting this year's China International Coproduction Film Screenings - an event we began six years ago here in Los Angeles. Over the years, the program has enabled us to showcase some of the best films China has co-produced with international partners. With the launch of the China Writers Initiative, we are pleased to see Sony cooperating with some of the most promising Chinese filmmakers in a program that puts quality screenplays at the focus of potential new co-productions. As China continues on its path to become the largest theatrical market in the world, partnerships between Hollywood and China will mutually benefit our two great film industries and economies."

Under the initiative, Sony Pictures will select four writers at a time for a two-week stay in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures Studios with an itinerary of meetings, mutual education, and discussion. The final selection among the candidates will be made by a committee with representatives from Sony Pictures' Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures International Productions, China; and Film Bureau, State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & TV, People's Republic of China (Film Bureau). Writers in China interested in the program may find more information at http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/china-writers-initiative.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

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