In light of the emerging power of the Internet in China’s flourishing movie industry, Putuo District is building itself up as a platform for Internet filmmaking.

Officials from the Putuo Government said at the recent Internet Film Carnival, an event co-organized by district officials during the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival, that film talent from all over the world are welcome to set up shop in Putuo.

A series of polices are about to be unveiled to attract and financially support competitive Internet companies, film studios and new talents, according to officials.

Many enterprises with connections to the Chinese Internet are already developing rapidly in the district. These include Poker City and Shanghai Muhe Network Technology.

The success of the Internet Film Carnival, held from June 15 to 17, demonstrates that Putuo District is focusing on the development of its cultural and creative industries.

Veterans from both the online and traditional film industries gathered and exchanged views on Internet film investment, marketing and production at summits convened during the city’s annual film festival.

Li Xia, a veteran film producer, said during one such event that there is a trend now for Internet-based companies and services to merge with traditional film production and distribution. “Big data analytics from the Internet provides us with a good reference for film investment and marketing,” said Li. “Based on the demands of Internet users, some film stories can also be developed into by-products like online games.”

Internet films

Li Chuan, an executive with China Media Capital, said it will fund film projects with creative content and experienced production and marketing teams.

During the event, market researcher Analysys released a report on the merging of China’s Internet and film industries.

According to the report, Internet films are becoming an important and distinctive genre in Chinese cinema.

The majority of film-goers in China were born in the 1990s and so have grown up with the Internet, the report explained.

“The Internet will innovate China’s film industry with big data analytics and new technology,” said Yu Yang, president of Analysys. “In the near future we will see tailor-made movies for certain groups of netizens.”

The carnival also offered viewers the chance to see feature films such as the superhero flick “A Hero Or Not,” the animated “Roco Kingdom 4” and romantic movie “Cafe, Waiting, Love,” all of which were originally made for Internet viewers or adapted from online material.