DAILY BRIEF: Dec 16, 2020

NEWS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

• 1

  China Lists 100 Government-Backed Documentaries to Release by 2025

  China’s top TV regulator on Monday issued a list of 102 state-backed TV documentaries set to hit the airwaves by 2025, indicating the kind of content Beijing wishes to promote amongst local viewers in the years to come. Variety

• 2

  Chloe Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’ Set for February Release

  Disney’s Searchlight has scheduled awards contender Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” for a Feb. 19, 2021, launch in North America. “Nomadland” premiered at the Venice on Sept. 11 and won the Golden Lion. The film is set after the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, with Frances McDormand’s character Fern exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. Variety

• 3

  Chinese Animation ‘The Legend of Hei’ Set for U.S. Release by Shout! and Play Big (EXCLUSIVE)

  Specialty distributor Shout! Studios has secured all North American rights to ecology-themed Chinese animated feature “The Legend Of Hei.” In a partnership with France’s Play Big, it will give the film a release in the U.S. and Canada. Variety

• 4

  Netflix Buys Chinese Fantasy Film ‘The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity’

  Global streaming giant Netflix has acquired rights to “The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity,” a period fantasy action film by the ferociously talented and divisive director Guo Jingming. The film is set for a major theatrical release in mainland China on Dec. 25. Variety

• 5

  Russian Sports Drama ‘On The Edge’ Sold to China, Europe (Exclusive)

  China’s Huashi.TV and Europe’s Koch Film have acquired rights to Russian sports drama "On The Edge" from Moscow-based Central Partnership. The feature, directed by Eduard Bordukov, centres on a heated rivalry between the world’s top saber fencer and a talented newcomer, and recently closed the 42nd Moscow International Film Festival. Screen Daily