Anji plans film-themed industrial parks

Anji county in Zhejiang province plans to develop film industry by introducing domestic and foreign investors to establish film-themed industrial parks.

Shanghai Film Group Co celebrated its foundation of a 4-sq meter film industrial park in Anji, a county within one hour's drive from province capital Hangzhou, on Monday. The park, with total investment of 17 billion yuan, will have a complete film industry, including filming base, post production center, film museum, film college and theme park. The construction will be completed in six years.

This is one of three film industrial investment Anji county has recently attracted. On July 21, it announced its cooperation with renowned French film venue Cannes to establish a film city.

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The program, expected to cost $1 billion, aims at introducing the Cannes Film Festival mode to China. Initiated by the city of Cannes, the China Film Exchanges and Cooperation Association and the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, it is intended to establish a French-style zone that can provide film, cultural and tourism services to Chinese citizens.

The county also reveals that another film city invested by famous Chinese director Zhang Jizhong is also under construction.

Shan Jinyan, Party chief of the county, said the county is determined to develop film industry into its pillar industry.

"Since Ang Lee shot Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in Anji 14 years ago, the county has become a darling for directors home and abroad. Taking our beautiful environment and sceneries as an advantage, we are determined to become the Cannes in China," he said.

Shan said that although Hengdian World Studio in the province is already famous and successful in attracting directors of movies and TV series, Anji has the confidence to develop in another feature.

"Most scenes in Hengdian are artificial. Anji, with its natural resources and historical sites, can provide scenes that are developed from natural sceneries. Also, we have the investment from one of the most successful film groups in China and the most famous film venue in Europe," he said.

Shanghai Film Group also sees great potential in film industrial development in Anji.

Ren Zhonglun, president of the group, said that the establishment of the company's Anji industrial park is a milestone for China's film industry.

"We believe this will bring changes and new opportunities to this industry in China," he said.

Zhou Jiong, secretary general of China Film Exchanges and Cooperation Association, said that it is a good sign that Chinese cities are trying to develop film industry in diversified methods.

"As long as Anji can keep its own style and ecological advantage, I see it with bright future," he said.

Anji is famous for its ecology tourism. In 2013, the county received more than 10 million tourists who brought more than 10 billion yuan income to the county.