DAILY BRIEF: Sep 24, 2020

NEWS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

• 1

  Will China’s Box Office Surpass the US’s This Year?

  China’s box office earnings in 2020 have reached 1.13 billion USD so far, closing in on the US’s 1.9 billion USD. Some are predicting that China’s regular Spring Festival movie rush — largely relocated in the calendar to the first week of October when China has a national holiday — could push it into the number one spot. RADII China

• 2

  Tiktok, Wechat Bans: What Has Happened So Far?

  There was twist after twist in the Tiktok drama over the weekend. US President Donald Trump said Saturday he had approved a deal that involves software maker Oracle and retail giant Walmart, but it falls short of an outright Tiktok divestment. Bytedance denied some of Trump’s claims that the new Tiktok company would have nothing to do with China. Meanwhile, Chinese officials criticized the US for lacking “internet freedom.” TechNode

• 3

  'Kung Fury 2' Producers Sue Chinese Financier for Failing to Pay $10 Million

  The complaint alleges that Creasun Entertainment USA's failure to meet its funding obligations has effectively shut down production of the 1980s-inspired action-comedy, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Fassbender. The Hollywood Reporter

• 4

  China Leisure Teams Up With ViacomCBS to Develop Nickelodeon Playtime Entertainment Centre

  China Leisure Development Co. (CLDC) has formed an alliance with ViacomCBS to develop a Nickelodeon-themed Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) in Shenzhen, China. The FEC will comprise of four attraction zones, featuring PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dora the Explorer. InterPark

• 5

  Venice’s 'Focus on China' Sees Italy, China, the USA and India Come Together

  With five panel discussions unfolding over the course of three days between 5-7 September, and contributions from upwards of 40 speakers hailing from Italy, China, the US and India, the option of online access proved crucial to the high quantities and quality of the "Focus on China" event at Venice, allowing those unable to travel to also take part in the event. Cineuropa