In order to maximize the demonstration and leading role of Beijing as the national cultural center, build the capital of benevolence as instructed by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and promote the prosperity of the capital’s culture, the Task Force of Beijing Municipality on Promoting the Construction of the National Cultural Center has recently issued Measures on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Capital’s Film and Television Industry in the New Era (hereinafter referred to as “Measures”). There are 12 measures in total, covering effective measures to fund and support the creation and production of outstanding works, promote the deep integration of the film and television industry and scientific and technological innovation, and improve services related to film and television shooting so as to ensure strong support for the film and television industry.

According to the Measures, it’s imperative to strengthen the political leadership and develop Beijing into the capital of excellent film and television productions in the new era; increase support to create more innovative and dynamic international film and television commanding heights; and optimize the business environment and deliver premium services as strong support for industrial development.

It’s a more definite goal to create excellent productions. In recent years, Beijing has been putting strenuous efforts in carrying out the Key Projects of the Beijing Cultural Excellence Program, and has released excellent TV series The Age of Awakening, and films, including The Battle at Lake Changjin, The Wandering Earth Ⅱ and The Volunteers: To the War among other works with wide influence at home and abroad. The Measures proposes to further to strengthen the political leadership, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, better utilize Beijing’s advantages as a historical capital and a national cultural center, focus on realistic subject matters, launch the “New Beijing in a New Era” Creation Program, fully support the film and television industry in creating and producing high-quality content, release more film and television masterpieces that reflect the style of the era, better meet the high-quality spiritual and cultural needs of the public, and set a healthy and upward trend in the industry.

More policy support is granted towards the development of film and television. Beijing has always attached great importance to film and television creation, and industrial development, and has funded and supported a large number of phenomenal works. At present, top 9 gross box office earners of Chinese films received grants from the Beijing Publicity and Culture Guidance Fund, which attracted approximately 1 billion audience to cinemas. Moreover, the Measures will further play the role of the Guidance Fund, increase funding support in prominent works, and expand the coverage of funding support. Special attention will be paid to key positions of film and television creation, and industrial development, and green channels for introduction of excellent talents will be set up. The coordinated support mechanism of districts will be improved to ensure policy synergy. The Measures will speed up hi-tech commercialization and application, increase incentives for excellent enterprises and projects, and enhance technological innovation capabilities. What’s more, support will be given to the upgrading of film and television base construction, promotion of the development of the China (Huairou) Film and Television Industry Demonstration Zone and world class film and television production base of Chaoyang District, and construction of the digital audiovisual production center of China.

Wider coverage of services will be provided to serve industrial development. As per statistics, there are more than 20,000 film and television companies incorporated in Beijing, covering the entire industrial chain with great influence and strong representation. In this sense, Beijing is a promised land for the introduction of film and television projects and industrial development. In order to further enhance the service level and create a favorable environment, the Measures intends to improve the service mechanism for film and television shooting and production, provide guidance, consultation and services for film and television companies, and help solve bottleneck issues that restrict development; increase the opening of city landmarks, business districts and other landscape spaces to film and television casts & crews; and accelerate the cultivation of top film and television companies with a high level of know-how, scale and internationalization. We will continue to increase the authoritative influence of signature events, such as the Beijing International Film Festival and China·Beijing TV Drama Festival, develop new business forms and new scenes, and promote the upgrading of cultural consumption driven by the film and television industry.

The film market delivered remarkable performance during the Spring Festival. The gross box office exceeded RMB 8 billion, setting the highest gross box office record in history. Beijing ranked first among cities nationwide with a gross box office of RMB 265 million. The number of moviegoers and screenings hit record highs of the period.