04/02/2015 - A panel discussion and a case study featuring top players from both industries is to kick off the project on 10 February

Following the official announcement at the Locarno Film Festival, the initiative Bridging the Dragon, in partnership with the European Film Market, is ready for its first official public event: a panel discussion and a case study on Tuesday 10 February. Both the discussion and the case study will focus on the challenges and opportunities for Euro-Sino collaboration, featuring top players from both industries, among whom Jeffrey Chan (Bona Film Group), Nansun Shi (Distribution Workshop), Martin Moszkowicz (Constantin Film), Stefan Arndt (X Filme) and Isabelle Glachant (Chinese Shadows). 

Bridging the Dragon is an association connecting European and Chinese film professionals by organising events, providing networking opportunities and offering consultancy to its members about producing between Europe and China. Some renowned companies already make up the list of members, including Bona Film Group (CN), Senator Entertainment (DE), Scott Free Films (UK), Eyeworks Film & TV Drama (NL/BE), Studio Babelsberg (DE) and Lemming Film (NL). 

Cristiano Bortone (watch the interview), one of the founders of Bridging the Dragon, said: “The Chinese film market is about to become the biggest in the world. Until now, the attention of Chinese professionals has still been mainly concentrated on Hollywood. But Europe has a lot to offer to this fast-growing industry, in terms of content, talents and resources. It is our responsibility to encourage the process of exchanging knowledge between our two worlds so that in the future, there will be more and more collaboration. The European Film Market is a great opportunity for this.”

Matthijs Wouter Knol, director of the European Film Market, stated: “In 2015, the EFM is strengthening its industry relations with a bridge to Asia. The joint events during the Market are the perfect starting point for our new, long-term partnership with Bridging the Dragon. As an international trading platform for film and audiovisual content, the EFM is an ideal place for Asian film producers to start the year off networking with the European and international industries.” 

During the 2015 edition of the European Film Market, Bridging the Dragon offers film professionals from both Europe and China the opportunity to gain more knowledge about each other's industries, learn about the possibilities for cooperation and take part in a discussion. Members will also get together in an exclusive matchmaking lunch, taking place on 8 February.