US$100 million Film Fund for Chinese Market

Hong Kong-based Global Entertainment Group (GEG) has initiated a US$ 100 million film fund set to finance movies for the Chinese market. GEG will not limit these productions to Asian-made films, but will finance projects worldwide as long as there are suitable for a Chinese audience. The projects will mostly be English-language movies.

"Protege", starring Andy Lau, was the first film production embarked upon by the company. The film, directed by Derek Yee, tells the story of an undercover cop faced with difficult decisions after infiltrating a heroin network. Their other title is "Crazy Lottery", directed by Gong Yingtian, co-producer of "Crazy Stone". It is a black comedy about gambling.

GEG's upcoming title is "The Coffin", a supernatural thriller from Thai writer-director Ekachai Uekrongtham, and stars Karen Mok. The company plans to launch the film at Cannes

The company, established in 2005, was originally located in London but in 2006 moved their headquarters to Hong Kong in order to be closer to the Asian markets they established with the intent to capitalize on.

TV projects have included "Da Ren Wu", with Nicholas Tse and Angelica Lee. It was co-produced with Taihu Media and based on a kung fu novel by China's Gu Long. Also "As Time Goes By", set during the change from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty in 17th century China.

GEG also acquired Hong Kong-based artist management company Morpheus Entertainment Management and Agency, and also plans to open a chain of multiplexes in various locations across China.