Pinewood Group eyes China expansion

Dunleavy said Pinewood is currently in discussion with several partners on co-production opportunities, working on stories that would appeal to both a Chinese and UK audience, and he feels optimistic that films which include a Chinese angle would appeal to an UK audience due to the amount of talent and creativity in China's entertainment industry.

"We can bring to bear all creativities that exist within our own business in the UK. We can undertake the distribution of material in the UK and we'd want to find an equal partner that can bring Chinese distribution and Chinese expertise," he said.

Its consultancy projects with Dailan Wanda Group for the Quingado Oriental Movie Metropolis and with the Shanghai Film Group on its studio facility in Chidden remain ongoing, and Dunleavy said such cooperation are also opportunities to build up a relationship which may lead to future coproduction partnerships.

Pinewood is advising its Chinese partners on physical production facilities and studio facilities, amongst other aspects.

"This is an important aspect for us – we are not consultant, we are studio operators, what we are looking to do is to assist Chinese companies with their design, but that is the first step in taking a long term view of how we may provide production services for Chinese producers and co-producers," he said.

China's box office grew by 36 percent in 2014 to $4.76 billion, according to statistics from China's Film Bureau.

In 2013, Pinewood Shepperton, a subsidiary, invested in a joint venture in China with Seven Stars, owned by the Chinese media entrepreneur Bruno Wu.

Known as Song Lin, the joint venture company looks to make co-productions, run film courses, develop financing for Chinese productions and create film-themed entertainment venues. Dunleavy said this joint venture is still ongoing, although no specific projects have yet been announced.