Beijing's State-Owned Cultural Assets Supervision & Administration Office Launches 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition for US Writers

Beijing's State-Owned Cultural Assets Supervision & Administration Office Launches 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition for US Writers

"Tale of Beijing" theme aimed at fostering artistic collaboration between China and US

NEW YORK, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of the Cultural Assets Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Director Huiguang Zhang announced today the launch of the 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition. Open to US-based contestants of all nationalities, the competition is asking writers to submit both short film and feature film screenplays centered on Beijing and its rich, multifaceted culture. As the first of its kind, the goal of this groundbreaking initiative is to foster artistic collaboration and an ongoing creative dialogue between China and the US.

Ms. Huiguang Zhang will serve as President of the Competition, and film producer Kevin Niu will serve as Chairman. Honorary Competition Presidents will include Vice-Mayor of Beijing Wei Lu and two-time Academy Award-winning director Mark Harris. Harris and Tracey Trench, producer of The Pink Panther and Ever After and consultant for Oriental DreamWorks, will serve as the Competition's Grand Judges.

"I am thrilled that the Beijing International Screenwriting Competition is taking place at this time in history," said Ms. Huiguang Zhang. "The city and people of Beijing are excited to begin a new era of creative and cultural collaboration with the US."

The 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition will provide an unprecedented opportunity for aspiring and established US writers to obtain international recognition. With no entrance fee, the competition encourages professional writers, students, and the general public alike to submit feature film proposals. The competition for short film screenplays is open to US students only. In keeping with the competition's "Tale of Beijing" theme, all film submissions must prominently feature Beijing as a location, conveying in some way the romance, mystery, and cultural richness of this great world capital.

"This Competition is one of the first established routes for US filmmakers to obtain direct access to the Chinese market," said Competition Chairman Kevin Niu. "It will serve as a model for future cultural collaboration between the US and China - one that bridges the gap between our two cultures."

Proposals for the first round of the feature film competition are due April 7(th), and short film screenplays are due April 20(th). The top finalists for each will be announced in May. In addition to international recognition and cash prizes totaling more than $100,000, all of the finalists will receive all-expense paid trips to Beijing in June where they will have the opportunity to meet with Chinese investors. Additionally, up to seven short film grand prize winners will receive financing for the production of their films. For full submission rules and guidelines, please visit: http://writebeijing.org/competition.

The 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition is sponsored by the Beijing International Creative Industry Corporation. Other partners include LeTV and Harvardwood. For more information on the 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition, please visit http://writebeijing.org/.

About Beijing International Creative Industry Corporation (BCC)

Beijing International Creative Industry Corporation (BCC) is a state-owned cultural industry corporation under the guidance of the Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government. It is the executive institution of the "Going Abroad, Inviting In" strategy implemented by Beijing Municipal Committee and Beijing Municipal Government, as well as the first international, high-end platform integrating all cultural resources. Its mission is to expand Beijing's, and ultimately China's, cultural influence abroad.

There are three head companies under BCC, touching on international marketing, content production, and international financing and investment respectively. As the first state-owned transnational cultural corporation, BCC is committed to establishing a Beijing-centered worldwide network for cultural promotion and marketing.

About LeTV

LeTV.com, the biggest online video content distributor for TV dramas and movies, is a division of the LeTV Information and Technology Corporation. LeTV is China's leading cross-platform service provider, providing clients with exceptional content and technical service with high quality Internet video programming for computer, mobile phone, and television users.

Established in November 2004, LeTV Information Technology Co., Ltd. was listed in the Second Board Market in China on August 12, 2010. It is the first A-share listed, online video company that focuses on research, development, and application of high-quality cyber video content technology in China.

About Harvardwood

Harvardwood is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization for Harvard University alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends working or strongly interested in the arts, media, and entertainment. The purpose of Harvardwood is to provide information, resources, and professional opportunities for members, while also endeavoring to strengthen ties among the arts, media, entertainment, and education for members as well as the broader community. Harvardwood coordinates programs and events for its members around the world, including on- and off-campus activities for students. Additionally, Harvardwood has an active online community, including a website, alumni directory, and various email lists through which its more than 5,000 members worldwide can send and receive information regarding career-related issues, social events, classified ads, and other areas of interest. For additional information, visit the Harvardwood website at http://www.harvardwood.org.



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SOURCE 2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition

2013 Beijing International Screenwriting Competition

Web Site: http://writebeijing.org


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