China Brings Four Market Screenings and an Oscar Entry to the American Film Market

The China Film Pavilion is back at the American Film Market for the fourth year in a row, and its lineup includes China's official Oscar entry. The Hollywood Reporter reports that this year's pavilion showcased 70 film companies and institutions.

The American Film Market, usually called AFM, is a trading event in Los Angeles. Sales agents and buyers use it to decide which films will reach cinemas and streaming services, often well before a movie is finished. The pavilion is run under the guidance of the China Film Administration, the state body that oversees the country's film industry, and is hosted by the China Film Co-production Corporation (CFCC).

Among the films on the slate is Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, which stars Shen Teng. It is one of four films set for market screenings at the pavilion. The film is also China's official submission in the international feature category at the Oscars, and it has taken in about $360 million at the box office in China, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The pavilion's earlier hits give a sense of the scale. Wen Muye's 2018 debut, Dying to Survive, took in more than $450 million at the box office. Lan Hongchun's Dear You earned $300 million. Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector is the 12th release in a franchise that has taken in more than $1 billion in China alone.

The CFCC's slate also includes Daughter of the River, a documentary drawn from the memoirs of author Hong Ying. The film follows generations of women living in Chongqing, a city in southwestern China.

For a film-maker or a buyer, the appeal of a stand like this is simple. A screening at the market puts a title in front of the people who can buy it, distribute it or pre-sell it to other countries. AFM's own description of its programme says The AFM Sessions includes more than 30 conversations with executives, creators and dealmakers, while its LocationEXPO connects film-makers with film commissions, production service companies and global partners, according to the AFM website.

Deals made at a market often take a long time to show up on a screen. A film sold in Los Angeles this week may not reach cinemas for a year or more, depending on the buyer and the country. The screenings at this year's pavilion are the first step in that chain.