Macau firms can now launch wholly-owned films in mainland

China’s central authorities have introduced new management regulations aimed at fostering investment from Macau and Hong Kong in the establishment of film production companies in mainland China.

On Monday, the China Film Administration released a notice on its website titled “Provisions on the Administration of Investment in Film Production by Hong Kong and Macau Service Providers,” effective immediately.

Highlighting its initiative to enhance collaboration and foster growth within the film industry across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, the notice emphasizes that “the state encourages service providers from Hong Kong and Macau to invest in establishing film production companies in mainland China and participate actively in film production.”

Among the seven total regulations, the notice specifies that film production companies invested in by Hong Kong and Macau may act as the primary production unit, enabling them to submit applications for film project approval and review.

The application procedures and required materials must adhere to the provisions outlined in the regulations on Chinese-foreign cooperative film production. This includes a variety of film types, such as narrative films, animated films, educational films, documentary films, special films, virtual reality films, and other genres.

The regulations clearly state that when applying for the filing of a domestically produced film, if a Hong Kong- or Macau-invested film production company is a co-producer – or if a previously filed domestically produced film intends to add such a company as a co-producer – the filing and review procedures, along with material requirements, must comply with the current management measures for domestically produced films.

Additionally, if the primary producer is changed to a Hong Kong- or Macau-invested film production company, the relevant procedures for project approval and review must be supplemented in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.