Individuals Allowed to Deal in Film Industry

Sun Shuyan, a 32-year old woman in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has become the first individual in the country to be involved in the screening and distribution of 16-mm films.

People in the Inner Mongolian highlands have few means of entertainment, as telecommunication, transportation, and power supplies are underdeveloped. And many local screening companies are reluctant to buy new films and upgrade their machines since the Central government abolished subsidies for showing movies.

To solve the problem, the regional officials have encouraged private enterprises to enter the market by offering preferential policies, such as 50 percent discounts on film rental.

Sun, a businesswoman, was excited to see related government documents on February 12 this year. She made an decision instantly to have a try as she had long noticed that herdsmen and those in economically backward areas could not have much chance to see films.

Film screening and distribution has long been under state control in China.

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