Lionsgate films agrees to co-financing of 50 films by Hunan TV

US movie studio Lionsgate, producer of the Hunger Games franchise, has agreed to co-financing at least 50 of its movies by a subsidiary of Hunan TV to gain greater access to the mainland market, Agence France-Presse reported, citing state media. The agreement involves Hunan TV-owned TIK funding 25% of production costs and receiving 25% profits, as well as the option to distribute four of the co-financed films annually in China in a deal that Xinhua reported as being worth US$1.5 billion. Last year Chinese box office revenues reached $4.8 billion. For more on China’s film industry, see CER’s latest in-depth report.