Headlines from China: Yu Yongfu Officially Resigns from Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group 

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Yu Yongfu Officially Resigns from Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group 

According to an official announcement made by Alibaba CEO Zhang Yong on November 15 (Beijing Time), Yu Yongfu will officially step down as the Chairman of Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group on December 1. Meanwhile, Yu is assigned as the head of eWTP (Electronic World Trade Platform), a new strategic investment unit to be established by Alibaba Group for its global expansion. Moving forward, Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group will rotate its chairmanship. Yang Weidong, president of Youku Todou and CEO of Alibaba’s music unit, will hold the rotating chairmanship after Yu Yongfu steps down. Read more on TMT Post 

Animated Film ‘Duck Duck Goose’ Set for January 26 China Release

‘Duck Duck Goose,’ an upcoming computer-animated comedy film, has been scheduled to release theatrically in China on January 26, 2018, according to an official announcement made on November 14. Directed by British animator Chris Jenkins, the film tells the story of a bachelor goose who must form a bond with two lost ducklings as they journey south. The film is produced by Wanda Pictures and Original Force Animation. China-based Original Force Animation once did post production for box office hit ‘Monster Hunt’ and produced Guo Jingming’s ‘L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties). Read more on China Daily 

Making Movies Doesn’t Have to be a Costly Endeavor Says Bona CEO Yu Dong

On November 15 (Beijing Time), Bona Film Group CEO Yu Dong spoke at a panel at the 4th Zhejiang Youth Film Festival, and expressed his opinions on emerging filmmakers and genre movies. In his opinion, most genre movies produced in China today lack the power to touch the audience on a deeper level. The essence of cinema is ignored while more and more attention is given to the amount of investments, the stars, and marketing campaigns. Yu says that, “Making movies doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Some filmmakers exaggerate the budget in order to raise more money. Yet, the production values of a film can be estimated. Young filmmakers should spend time thinking about where the audience is and why they are not interested in certain films.” Read more on Mtime 

Sunac China to Integrate LeEco TV into Its Real Estate Business

Sunac China, a major shareholder of the troubled LeEco, has recently commanded its real estate firms to prioritize LeEco TV when purchasing TVs for their residential apartments, according to sources familiar with the matter. Sunac CEO Sun Hongbin is reportedly optimistic about the commercial prospect of LeEco’s big screen TVs, and has developed strategies to revive LeEco through enhancing LeEco’s TV unit. For example, LeVision Pictures and LeEco’s online streaming unit will focus on creating content that’s suitable for LeEco’s big screen TVs. Read more on Ent Group