Sequel to film park underway

Niu Lichao and Yang Yang

CONSTRUCTION of the second phase of Shanghai Film Park in Songjiang District began on August 1, the first grand-scale extension of the park since it opened to the public in 1999.

When completed, the second phase will cover an area of 170,000 square meters, extending the film park from its former 30 hectares to 41 hectares. Business modes of the park will also change from its former unitary shooting venue provision to integrating venue provision, high-tech film production and culture tourism.

The extension is a response to several significant government suggestions.

During his inspection of the park on August 1 last year, Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang suggested Shanghai Film Group follow the scientific development of the film industry and strengthen its film base by focusing on pre-production writing, film shooting and postproduction editing.

Songjiang District also issued a blueprint for the general development of its Shanghai High-tech Film and Television City in June, mentioning the development of Chedun Town where the film park is located into a movie town integrating film shooting, production and tourism.

“Songjiang will build its hightech film and television city into a high standard one and Shanghai Film Group will act as an industry leader to attract more renowned film companies and projects to settle down in the film and television city,” said Chen Yujian, director of Songjiang.

“We don’t rely on the number of film studios or film spectacle locations to compete with others, but instead take the regional advantage of Shanghai as a science innovation center to win,” said Wang Jian’er, CEO of Shanghai Film Group.