Disney’s ‘Born in China’ to be released in 2016 as part of expanded relationship with SMG Pictures
“Born in China,” a Disneynature film expected to be released in 2016, is one of the first projects part of an expanded relationship between Disney and Shanghai Media Group Pictures.
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| PRNewswire/© Disneynature 2014
Snow leopard family from Disneynature’s “Born in China.”
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The two companies announced recently the two are expanding their strategic relationship to include television development, movie co-production, content distribution, and co-operation on marketing.
“Born in China” will include rare footage of endangered snow leopards. This film is the first in what is an ultimate goal of co-developing Disney-branded movies for US-China co-productions.
“The series of projects we are announcing today represents an exciting new phase in our long-term alliance. We believe that they will serve as the cornerstone of actualizing SMG’s vision in applying world-class creative process; contribute towards the success of local content creation for international markets and create new business models across both digital media and traditional spaces. The endeavors will help us to transform the organization and accelerate its path towards digital success,” Li Ruigang, chairman of Shanghai Media Group, said in a news release.
The other projects between the two companies include:
- A deal with Toonmax to produce a kids’ animation series that centers on one of China’s most popular cultural icons.
- Disney and BesTV New Media Company Limited (China’s number one IPTV operator and the digital media subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group) are in the final steps of registering, a joint venture company in Shanghai that will expand families’ and kids’ digital choices.
- SMG and Disney intend to work closely on a number of marketing initiatives, expanding on their prior collaborations in television and film.
