Shorts International to Bring Chinese Short Films to U.S., Europe

SHENZHEN: The Shenzhen Media Group and Shorts International, which is the parent company of ShortsHD and ShortsTV, have entered into an agreement to deliver short-form Chinese movies to TV audiences in the U.S. and Europe.

This is the first time that award-winning Chinese short films will be available outside of China. The first seven films to be released through the pact are all previous winners of a KingBonn New Media Short Film Award. The two companies have also signed a cooperation agreement to pledge joint efforts that support short film-making in China and in the U.S. and Europe. The films will be aired on ShortsHD in the U.S. and on ShortsTV across Europe. Titles include I Am Brave, Grandfather, Moon Rabbit and Happy Anniversary.

The companies signed the deal at the 4th China International (KingBonn) New Media Shorts Festival.

“This marks an important step for Chinese film.  For the first time, independent short films made here in China by emerging film directors will be freely available to American, European and African television audiences,” said Zheng, the chairman of the Shenzhen Times Network Media Company.  “We are excited that after only four years, KingBonn-awarded films are gaining international recognition.  This puts the KingBonn Festival in the front rank of short film festivals around the world.” 

“These two agreements mark an important step forward for China.  We are excited to be partnering with China’s cutting-edge media group,” added Carter Pilcher, the chief executive of Shorts International. “ShortsHD and ShortsTV will be the first networks in the Western world to begin broadcasting Chinese short films and interviews with China’s emerging directors.”