Headlines from China: HKIFF43 Collaborates with Brands to Launch First Ever Merchandise Collection

HKIFF43 Collaborates with Brands to Launch First Ever Merchandise Collection

The 43rd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF43) releases its first ever merchandise collection in collaboration with several hit brands including Heroes Beer, BASAO, Moleskine and MBL Wine. Inspired by “Colours in the Dark”, the theme of this year’s festival designed by artist Wing Shya, the collection features a range of tailor-made merchandise from handcrafted beer, stylish T-shirts to special edition notebooks that manifest the unlimited possibilities of imagination. In addition, HKIFF43 will offer two special passes for this year’s festival, to be held from 18 March to 1 April, which allow bearers priority admittance to all applicable screenings during the festival period. These passes are also only available in limited quantity and come with a host of complimentary HKIFF43 merchandise and publications. Read more on movie1958

IMAX Gets Record-Breaking Box Office on Day One of Chinese New Year

IMAX China has chosen three Chinese new year films to play at its 604 venues across China. The three films are The Wandering Earth, Crazy Alien, and Pegasus. On the first day (Tuesday) of this lucrative moviegoing week, IMAX China has earned an estimated RMB 45 million (US$6.67 million) at the box office, 12.5% higher than its earnings on the first day of 2018 Lunar New Year. Among the three titles, The Wandering Earth grossed RMB 22 million from IMAX screens, accounting for 12% of the film’s total box office on Tuesday. Crazy Alien made RMB 18 million from IMAX screens followed by Pegasus’ RMB 5 million. The Wandering Earth will also be the first big-budget Chinese sci-fi movie to be released in North America. The film’s 3D version will be released in select North American IMAX theaters on Wednesday followed by a wider release of its 2D version this Friday. Read more on Mtime

‘Black Coal Thin Ice’ Director’s New Film Unveiled 

The Wild Goose Lake, an upcoming arthouse crime film, released its first poster today. The film is the latest work of Diao Yinan, director of Golden Bear-winning film Black Coal, Thin Ice. Starring Hu Ge, Kwai Lun Mei (female lead for Black Coal, Thin Ice), Liao Fan (Silver Bear Award Winner for Black Coal, Thin Ice), and Wan Qian, the film completed filming in October last year and now in its post-production. Memento FIlms Production and Arte France Cinema will handle the film’s international distribution. Read more on Mtime