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By Robert Cain for China Film Biz

October 22, 2013

Here’s an important heads-up: the U.S.-China Film Summit, North America’s biggest and best annual gathering of Hollywood and Chinese filmmakers and industry executives, will take place on November 5^th at downtown L.A.’s Millenium Biltmore Hotel. Since its inception four years ago the Summit has grown bigger and more influential each year, and with the doubling of its size and scope this year it’s an absolute must for anyone participating in or planning to join the booming cross-Pacific movie trade.

I’m both on the planning committee for this year’s Summit and I’ll be a speaker as well, so I can tell you from an insider’s perspective that this is an unparalleled opportunity to hear from, and meet, many of the luminaries of the China film biz. Here’s a small sampling of the 30+ speakers who will attend:

Senator Christopher Dodd, Chairman and CEO, 
Motion Picture Association of America – Former United States Senator Chris Dodd is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., which serves as the voice and advocate of the U.S. motion picture, home video and television industries around the world.

Dennie Gordon, Director, “My Lucky Star” – Director of the teen cult hit “Joe Dirt” starring David Spade, Christopher Walken and Dennis Miller, and “What a Girl Wants” starring Oscar winner Colin Firth and Amanda Bynes. Dennie’s latest film, the romantic comedy “My Lucky Star,” featured Chinese stars Zhang Ziyi and Wang Leehom, and was a bona fide hit at the Chinese box office.

Ellen Eliasoph,  President and CEO,
Village Roadshow Pictures Asia – Ms. Eliasoph leads the company in its business of identifying, developing, financing, producing, marketing and distributing feature films which are filmed principally in the Chinese language and designed for audiences in the Mainland China and other Greater China markets.

Li Bingbing, Actress, 
“Forbidden Kingdom,” “I Do” and the upcoming “Transformers 4” – One of China‘s biggest cinema and television stars, Bingbing has also had a successful crossover career in American film. She was most recently seen in Screen Gems’ “Resident Evil: Retribution,” directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.

Zhang Zhao, CEO,
 LeVision Pictures –
 In 2008, Mr. Zhang was named one of the top 10 most influential people in China Film and Entertainment Industry. Several films he produced and directed have won many international awards and have been recognized by the U.S. independent film committee.

The Summit will include luncheon keynote speeches from IMAX President Greg Foster and China Film Co-Production Corp’s Zhang Xun, and six panel discussions on topics ranging from digital media business opportunities in China to practical discussions on how to make films there.

The day will be capped off with a Gala Dinner and awards presented by the Asia Society to Senator Dodd and Ms. Li Bingbing.

For more information and to register for the event, please click on this link.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Robert Cain is a producer and entertainment industry consultant who has been doing business in China since 1987. He can be reached at rob@pacificbridgepics.com and at www.pacificbridgepics.com.