A 35 million-yuan ($5.06 million) China-Malaysia film-making cooperation deal was signed at the 21st Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) on March 13 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

This year's FILMART attracted thousands of producers, investors, publishers and domestic and international industry representatives to negotiate business and promote products. Fourteen Guangzhou-based enterprises also made an appearance receiving wide recognition at the important international film industry event for their film, television, music and digital entertainment products. 

Guangzhou-based Filmko Pictures treated audiences to a screening of The Monkey King 1, first released in Jan 2014 on the Chinese Mainland. The film, starring renowned actors Donnie Yen, Chow Yun-Fat and Aaron Kwok, was a major box office hit, breaking 19 Chinese-language film records. Ticket sales for the film reached $ 181.9 million internationally, according to the company.

Benefitted by the development of the Chinese film market and supporting government policies for collaborating with oversea companies, Guangzhou-based entertainment enterprises are actively opening up the global market and seeking more international cooperation. 

The Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival (GZDOC) was also announced on March 13, calling for entries until its Aug 30 deadline.

In 2016, the GZDOC received 4,069 entries from 111 countries and regions and orchestrated contracts totaling nearly 400 million yuan, becoming one of the most important platforms for international cultural communication.

The GZDOC, first established in 2003 and hosted by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of People's Republic of China (SAPPRFT) and People's Government of Guangdong Province, is the only national festival for documentary filmmaking in China.

Visitors flock to the Guangzhou Pavilion at the 21st Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) on March 13 in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. [Photo by Wang Weixuan/Guangzhou Daily]