HONG KONG, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Imagi International Holdings (HKEx: 585), a leading producer of CG-animated feature films with studios in both Hong Kong and the U.S., today announced that it had secured mainland China co-production status for its film Astro Boy.
China's Film Bureau, which acts as the gatekeeper for foreign films seeking distribution in China, has awarded Astro Boy co-production status. The Film Bureau typically "blacks out" release windows around major national holidays. These windows are reserved for domestic and co-produced films.
"Co-production status means Astro Boy can be released on the mainland in October, something foreign films are not permitted to do," said Chiong Kit Phoon, executive deputy chairman of Imagi. "Not only does co-production mean we get access to release windows not available to foreign films, we also receive a higher percentage of box office receipts."
Astro Boy will be released in mainland China on October 23, the same date Imagi's distribution partner, Summit Entertainment, is releasing the film internationally. "We are happy that audiences in China will be able to watch Astro Boy at the same time as audiences around the world, especially since the People's Republic of China will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in October," said Phoon.
Astro Boy was produced by Maryann Garger, directed by David Bowers (Flushed Away), and written by Timothy Harris (Kindergarten Cop, Trading Places) and David Bowers. The CG-animated motion picture features the voices of Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy, Matt Lucas, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Nicolas Cage as 'Dr. Tenma'.
About Imagi
Imagi International Holdings Limited (Stock Code 585; Pink Sheets: IINHY) is a listed company on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Imagi's principal business is the development and production of CG-animated theatrical feature films. Imagi's first theatrical movie TMNT was released in March 2007, opening #1 in U.S. box office revenue, the first time in history that an Asian animated film achieved that honor. Imagi has development and marketing operations in Los Angeles, California, and CG production studios at its Chai Wan (Hong Kong) corporate headquarters, as well as a Tokyo office involved in licensing. Imagi's Astro Boy is set for worldwide theatrical release in October 2009. For further information, please visit www.imagi.com.hk and www.astroboy-themovie.com
2009 OCT 6 - (VerticalNews.com) -- Imagi International Holdings (HKEx: 585), a leading producer of CG-animated feature films with studios in both Hong Kong and the U.S., announced that it had finalized the Astro Boy premiere dates for Tokyo, Hong Kong and the U.S.
Imagi announced that Japan, where Tezuka Osamu created the legendary Astro Boy character in the 50s, will be the host of the world premiere of Astro Boy on 5th October. Hundreds of fans, along with the film's Director, David Bowers, and Producer, Maryann Garger, plus Japanese voice talents including Aya Ueto and Koji Yakusho, are expected to attend the world premiere.
The film's production base, Hong Kong, will host its own premiere on 17th October, with Astro Boy's Cantonese voice talents, including Aaron Kwok and Goum Ian Iskandar, expected to attend. Los Angeles will host its premiere on 19th October. Astro Boy voice talents including Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell and Nicolas Cage are expected to attend the L.A. premiere. The premiere dates were carefully selected in each market to maximize the impact of the movie and attract large-scale public interest.
Astro Boy will be the first Hong Kong produced movie to be released across 4 continents and 20 markets in the same month. Imagi recently announced that it had secured financing for prints and advertising expenses associated with Astro Boy. Marketing and advertising for Astro Boy, including bill boards and TV advertisements, will ramp up in late September.
"All the financing and funding to ensure a successful release for Astro Boy is now in place. Now we wait for film audiences around the world sitting on the edge of their seats, to judge the film with their dollars as we had investors in Imagi over the past few months so judge," CK Phoon, executive deputy chairman at Imagi said.
"Imagi is a unique studio, our roots are in Asia but we are able to create films for global audiences. Audiences from Tokyo to Los Angeles, from Beijing to Sydney, will all be able to see Astro Boy fly in October together with all of us here in Hong Kong."
This article was prepared by China Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, China Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.