Through the Sony China Writers Initiative, Chinese screenwriters will have the chance to stay in Los Angeles and learn more about the Hollywood brand of filmmaking. (Photo : Getty Images)

Recognizing China's growing significance to Hollywood, Sony Pictures has recently launched China Writers Initiative with the aim to establish rapport between Chinese and Hollywood film authors and executives, Forbes reported.




According to the article, the group is "designed to foster a stronger relationship between Hollywood and Chinese writers," which in turn could pave the way for more co-productions between the two parties.



Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman discussed the need for such group.



"The screenplay is the foundation of everything we do-it all starts with the writer. So as we look to make great content for global audiences, it's critical that the writers we work with both here and in China understand each other's cultures," he shared.



"That's the goal of this program-we can support that dialogue by fostering cooperation between writers to receive each other's perspective, which will benefit Hollywood, Chinese language films, and Chinese co-productions," Rothman further said.



Through the Sony China Writers Initiative, four writers handpicked by a committee that includes the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and TV will have a two-week stay in Los Angeles to immerse in the Hollywood brand of filmmaking.



The endeavor, which was developed by Sony Pictures China and to be overseen by Columbia Pictures president Stanford Panitch, marks the acknowledgement of the idea of "China dominates Hollywood."



Data shows that by next year, Chinese box office receipts are predicted to exceed that of United States', which is currently the largest film market in the world. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the local box office could hit as high as $8.9 billion in 2019 from 2014's $4.3 billion.



During the recent period, various firms from both China and Hollywood have made investments in each other's film markets. Last September, Sony announced it will have a strategic partnership with Dalian Wanda to co-finance a number of movie projects.



In October, Amblin Pictures, Steven Spielberg's production outfit, received an investment from Alibaba Pictures.



Earlier in 2016, Wanda set record when it became the first Chinese company to own a major Hollywood studio through a $3.5 billion purchasing deal with Legendary Entertainment, known for the films Warcraft ad Godzilla.

