The Chinese audience has evolved over the years, with a stronger appetite for foreign cultural content, especially in larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai. There is a growing demand for diverse cultural experiences, and foreign content often attracts a younger, more curious audience.
The annual quota for importing foreign films into Chinese cinemas is 34 movies per year.
The movie 'Alien Romulus' earned $100 million at the Chinese box office, which was the same amount as its U.S. box office earnings.
In 2021, over 36 million foreign books were introduced to the Chinese market, generating over $250 million in revenue.
Cardi B has nearly 1 million fans on the Chinese music platform NetEase since September 2024.
The main challenges include finding the right target audience, extensive marketing, and ensuring that the musicians are well-known enough to attract interest. Smaller-name artists require significant investment in promotion to gain visibility.
Most concerts and exhibitions are organized in tier-one cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, as these cities have a more developed market and a higher concentration of potential attendees.
Censorship in China requires that all materials, including lyrics, music, and stage performances, be reviewed and approved by the government. This includes checking the content of dances and the attire worn on stage.
The Chinese audience's knowledge of foreign art and culture has significantly grown, with more people attending contemporary dance shows and exhibitions. There is a younger, more engaged audience that actively seeks out cultural experiences and educates themselves online.
The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China has been marked by over 400 cultural events across China, highlighting the long-standing cultural and diplomatic collaborations between the two countries. These events are supported by a wide network of institutions and individuals.
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Despite China's reputation for having difficulty selling cultural products due to local regulations and the audience's taste, some do manage to bridge the Chinese audience with international content. Where do such opportunities lie, and how has the Chinese audience evolved over the years?Featuring- Marion Bertagna: MB Projects - Founder & Director- Sun Wenxin (aka Yoyo): Global Concert Organizer
To go further- Middle Earth episode #87 How local government & foundations sponsor culture in China)- Middle Earth episode #77 Big in China: Bringing Foreign Creators Onto Chinese Platforms)- Middle Earth episode #60 The Golden Age of China's Museums?)- TWOC's article Can China’s Detective Novels Finally Make Crime Pay?) by Jesse Young- International dancers mentioned : Rachid Ouramdane, Pina BauschMiddle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré). If you have a China-themed cultural project, like shooting your next documentary, or are looking for a specific talent, please get in touch!
Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影)With thanks Li Muyuan for research, and Sean Calvo) for music support.
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