"International Lounge" Announces Global Buyers, Seeking World Coordinates for Good Stories
Spring has arrived, and with it, a season of new beginnings. This April, the Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF)'s "International Lounge" invites you to share the first coffee of the season with film professionals from every corner of the map. Come for the conversation; stay for the enduring collaborations that will shape the year ahead.
Looking back at the past year, the global performance of Chinese cinema has been nothing short of remarkable. A standout success, Ne Zha 2 - distributed by Encore Films in Southeast Asia - surpassed $20 million at the regional box office, shattering records for Chinese-language films in Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Equally significant is the accelerating trend of "simultaneous releases". For instance, Mega Films Distribution launched Per Aspera ad Astra in Malaysia nearly day-and-date with its domestic premiere, while Trinity CineAsia moved rapidly to bring Scare Out to UK audiences. This shrinking theatrical window is fast becoming the new standard for Chinese films achieving global impact.
International Posters for Ne Zha 2, Per Aspera ad Astra, and Scare Out
This year, the BJIFF "International Lounge" shines a spotlight on the driving forces behind the global surge of Chinese cinema. We have assembled an elite cohort of international buyers who possess both a profound affinity for Chinese film and formidable local distribution power. Hailing from key territories including Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Poland, Italy, Norway, Mongolia, and France, these partners form a robust network spanning Southeast Asia, core European markets, and emerging regions. Whether navigating the scale of animated blockbusters or championing the nuances of arthouse gems, these organizations serve as more than just keen market observers - they are the most reliable bridges connecting Chinese content with a global audience.
The First Batch of International Buyers for the 2026 BJIFF "International Lounge"
Driven by a keen appetite for high-quality content, these buyers will deeply engage in tailor-made activities at the "International Lounge": One-on-one matchmaking meetings will be held intensively, facilitating project deals through efficient dialogue; curated catalogs of outstanding works from the "Lightboat Project" will be delivered directly into the hands of these global buyers. The International Distribution Salon will feature these industry leaders sharing precision guidance on "going global" - from navigating overseas promotion strategies to decoding regional audience preferences.
Profiles: First Batch of International Buyers
Company name: Mega Films Distribution
Issued in: Malaysia
Mega Films Distribution is a premier Malaysia-based firm specializing in theatrical distribution, rights licensing, content acquisition, and strategic marketing. Since its inception in 2012, the company has successfully released over 180 titles in the Malaysian market, covering a diverse spectrum of languages and genres. Its distributed Chinese films include Per Aspera ad Astra, Scare Out, Her Story, Escape From The Outland, Sound of Silence, A Writer's Odyssey 2, Fish Flew Away, Operation Hadal, and more.
Company name: STAR FILMS
Issued in: Singapore
Established in 2003, Encore Films is a leading film distribution and production powerhouse based in Singapore. With over two decades of industry expertise, the company has managed the release of hundreds of films. Its distributed Chinese films include Nobody, Ne Zha 2, and more. By leveraging deep-rooted partnerships with both local and international stakeholders, Encore Films remains a vital conduit for bringing premium Chinese cinema to audiences in Southeast Asia.
Company name: Trinity CineAsia
Issued in: United Kingdom
Trinity CineAsia is a premier UK-based distributor dedicated to bringing high-caliber Chinese and European cinema to Western audiences. The current brand was established in 2015 following Trinity's strategic acquisition of the iconic CineAsia label. In recent years, its distributed Chinese films include Scare Out, Night King, The Shadow's Edge, among others, and it served as the exclusive distributor for Ne Zha 2 in Europe. Trinity CineAsia is one of the key channels for Chinese films to enter the UK and other European markets.
Company name: Abnormal Studios
Issued in: Malaysia
Abnormal Entertainment Sdn. Bhd. is a professional film distribution company under Westec Media Limited (WML), with business coverage spanning Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mongolia, Nepal, and other regions. Since its inception in 2020, the company has demonstrated explosive growth, managing a vast catalog of over 400 titles and maintaining a high-volume release schedule of approximately 100 films annually. Its distributed Chinese films include Blades of the Guardians, Scare Out, Evil Unbound, YOLO, Remember Me, One and Only, Successor, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, and more. Beyond traditional distribution, Abnormal Entertainment offers a comprehensive industry suite, including marketing, post-production, international sales, film acquisition, financing, and production services.
Company name: 9th Plan
Issued in: Poland
9th Plan is the largest distributor of Asian content in Central Europe, specializing in bringing highly acclaimed Asian commercial blockbusters and quality genre films to European cinemas and digital platforms. Over the years, it has distributed hundreds of Asian films in the Central European region. Its distributed Chinese films include Ne Zha 2, Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms, Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, The Wandering Earth II, The Eight Hundred, Nobody, and more.
Company name: The FilmBridge
Issued in: Mongolia
The FilmBridge is a foreign language film distribution company focused on the Mongolian market. Leveraging over a decade of local content distribution experience, the company is dedicated to bringing foreign language films into the Mongolian film market. Since its establishment in 2019, it has distributed nearly 160 Asian films in Mongolia. Recently distributed Chinese films include Dead to Rights, Panda Plan, Ride On, and The Wandering Earth II.
Company name: Blue Swan Entertainment
Issued inn: Italy
Blue Swan Entertainment stands as one of Italy's premier independent distribution powerhouses. Beyond theatrical releases, the company is a dominant licensor for major OTT platforms and national television networks, boasting an expansive library of over 1,000 titles. Its distributed Chinese films include Bureau 749, Striking Rescue, Born to Fly, Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms, Operation Red Sea, the Candle in the Tomb series, Bleeding Steel, Police Story: Lockdown, Wolf Warriors, among many others.
Company name: As Fidalgo
Issued in: Norway
As Fidalgo is one of Norway's oldest independent distributors, specializing in acquiring and distributing high-quality works that have been selected for A-category film festivals. Its distributed Chinese films include Getting Home, Resurrection, and more.
Company name: Silk Route Entertainment
Issued in: Singapore
Silk Route is a distribution company specializing in in-flight entertainment content, dedicated to selecting high-quality Asian and European films for airline partners. Its lineup brings together acclaimed creators and emerging filmmakers from Asia and Europe, presenting diverse and rich cultural narratives. Its distributed Chinese films include If We Were Lucky, Till Love Do Us Part, That Untold Story, Love Island, The Choices, The Shore of Life, and more.
Company name: SND - GROUPE M6
Issued in: France
SND (Société Nouvelle de Distribution) is the powerhouse film division of France's Groupe M6. As a full-service major, SND manages the entire lifecycle of a film - from theatrical release and VOD to television broadcasting - across both French and international markets. In 2025, SND solidified its market dominance as France's second-largest local distributor, drawing over 7.2 million admissions. Its representative works in investment and distribution include La La Land, Iron Man, and Curse of the Golden Flower. SND not only handles international rights sales for its own films and TV series but also manages international sales for third-party works.
The above are the first batch of international buyers to be unveiled. A wider circle of top-tier international sellers and prestigious film festival programmers from around the world will be announced in due course. They will deeply engage in one-on-one matchmaking meetings and the Chinese and International Film Pitch and participate in in-depth dialogues with filmmakers during the International Programmers' Salon, facing the "Filmmakers' Ten Questions".
Secure your opportunity to meet these industry professionals face-to-face by registering as an "Industry Professional". Becoming an Industry Professional of the BJIFF grants you access not only to the "International Lounge" but also to in-depth participation in a wealth of activities, including Project Pitches, Market Screenings, and Industry Salons. The registration deadline is March 20. Visit the official BJIFF website (www.bjiff.com) and click on "Market - Registration & Submission" to apply online.
The vitality of the film industry thrives on genuine, face-to-face dialogue. This April, join us at the "International Lounge" - where new collaborations take shape and the journey to the world begins.