National spotlight on film and television business

Audiovisual works focused on the Chinese dream and the Belt and Road Initiative struck an appreciative chord with attendees at a recent event in Qingdao, underlining the coastal city's commitment to the film and television industry.

Revolving around sharing an audiovisual experience and winning the future with quality, the 2023 China Netcasting Creation Summit, which took place in mid-August, featured nearly 10,000 participants showcasing their original works and holding discussions at forums.

Qingdao's film and television industry development leads the country, and its high-end value chain for the entire audiovisual industry continues to evolve, local officials said.

The city's film and television base, which covers a total area of 96 square kilometers, was established in 2013.

Over the past decade, it has attracted investment of over 300 billion yuan ($41.15 billion) in film, television, and online audiovisual industry projects, with completed fixed-asset investments totaling more than 170 billion yuan. In addition, as part of its effort to explore a unique path for the industrialization of China's film and television industry, the base has completed film and television-related projects such as a 5G high-tech video experimental zone and industrial parks for virtual reality and digital arts.

As a film capital designated by the UNESCO, Qingdao has utilized its resources and rich heritage in film and television to attract talents and businesses from across the country.

Lingshan Bay Film and Television Culture Industrial Area, the core area of film and television in Qingdao, has attracted nearly 900 film, television, and online audiovisual production companies, with more than 300 crews received to date. The city has also accelerated construction of key film and television shooting locations that present Qingdao elements and characteristics.

In 2022, Qingdao's city government issued a guideline on promoting the high-quality development of the film and television industry, stipulating the local authority will provide support and incentives to key areas such as "filming in Qingdao," "produced in Qingdao," film distribution, film and television shooting locations, development of film and television derivatives, and incubation and cultivation of film and television talents.

Film projects with a box office of more than 5 million yuan will receive a maximum reward of 5 million yuan, and television drama projects that first air during prime time on top-tier satellite channels will receive a maximum reward of 2 million yuan.