The prolific international film and television studio IM Global has launched Go Global, a new venture devoted to maximizing the international exposure of Chinese cinema and representing non-Chinese films on the Chinese festival circuit. Go Global’s team led by industry veteran Clément Magar is based in Beijing and offers local producers, financiers and talent a wide range of services from festival strategy, festival booking, festival media promotion and event production. Go Global will also benefit from the extensive international global film distribution experience and network of Los Angeles-based IM Global.
The creation of Go Global is part of IM Global’s broader strategic Chinese development. The company’s Beijing office was established in 2013 and has handled international distribution in partnership with a number of local studios on Chinese language box office juggernauts such as The Mermaid, Mojin: The Lost Legend, Mr. Six and Breakup Buddies, which have so far collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide. In June 2016, a majority ownership interest in IM Global has been acquired by Los Angeles and Shanghai based Tang Media Partners (TMP). IM Global and TMP also partnered with Asian internet giant Tencent on a new television production and distribution joint venture, which will operate under the IM Global Television banner.
TMP is active in the development, financing, production and distribution of entertainment content focused on the intersection between China and Hollywood. It has impressive backers including Tencent, Neil Shen, Noah Holdings, China Media Capital, and Huayi Brothers.
Go Global’s inaugural activities will kick off at the Venice International Film Festival, where the company will be an Official Sponsor of Bridging the Dragon, the prestigious event which brings together Chinese and European producers, screenwriters and filmmakers. The company will also be the Press Agent of COFFEE, the first Chinese-Italian co-production, which has been selected as part of 13th annual Venice Days section of the Festival.
IM Global was founded by Stuart Ford in 2007. The prolific entertainment studio operates one of the world’s leading international film and television sales and distribution platforms, controlling a library of more than 300 films that collectively have grossed more than $6 billion in worldwide box office. The company is also highly active in the Hollywood, China, and Latin America film sectors and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Mumbai, Mexico City, Beijing, and Shanghai. As a Hollywood producer/financier, the company has financed over 25 features, establishing itself as one of the most active financiers of recent years outside of the major Hollywood studios.